Liz Perle Common Sense Media Jan 2, 2011 3/5

Well-meaning movie will bore younger kids

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Matt Brunson Creative Loafing Dec 5, 2003 2.5/4

The quality of the film doesn't quite match the loving care placed into it.

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Frank Swietek One Guy's Opinion Nov 11, 2003 D-

A flimsy, overcomplicated little comedy that--despite the title--is hardly a gift to audiences, divine or otherwise.

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Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone TheMovieChicks.com Nov 5, 2003 2.5/5

Like manna, the movie is sweet but a little thin.

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Matt Weitz Dallas Morning News Oct 23, 2003 C-

You can tell what Manna wants to be -- a light-hearted-yet-profound, feel-good flick in the same vein as It's a Wonderful Life -- but it falls woefully short.

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Sean P. Means Salt Lake Tribune Oct 17, 2003 1/4

The movie's cloying cuteness and homespun sanctimony make the low production values even harder to forgive.

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Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Oct 10, 2003 2/4

You may pull a muscle trying not to cringe as such long-time screen veterans as Shirley Jones, Cloris Leachman and Frank Gorshin embarrass themselves with over-the-top performances.

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Jean Lowerison San Diego Metropolitan Jun 14, 2003

Manna from Heaven is labor of love that may not be the best film of the year, but at least you'll come away smiling.

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Harry Haun Film Journal International Apr 26, 2003

There's a calculated stab at 'feel-good' afoot here, but, more often than not, the film just feels tired.

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Nat Johnson Village Voice Apr 8, 2003

It's shot like a Lifetime-influenced student film, and the overall artlessness makes the spoony dialogue all the more glaring.

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Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter Apr 7, 2003

Too cute by half and at least a half-hour too long.

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Maitland McDonagh TV Guide Apr 4, 2003 2/5

A bit amateurish, but wholesome and achingly sweet.

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Megan Lehmann New York Post Apr 4, 2003 2/4

The five sisters responsible for the old-fashioned fable 'Manna From Heaven' have a lot of plates spinning in the air -- but even their 10 hands aren't enough to overcome the hokey, overstuffed plot and a messily hand-stitched, often illogical script.

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Dave Kehr New York Times Apr 3, 2003 3/5

While it would be easy to fault its lack of technical polish, somewhat discursive script and uneven performances, it is also refreshingly sincere, gentle and good-natured.

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Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Apr 3, 2003 2/5

The Burtons' hearts are in the right place, but they need to get more tough-minded.

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David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor Apr 3, 2003 2/4

It would be better if it weren't quite so sitcommy and if it didn't outlast its ideas.

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Mark Olsen L.A. Weekly Apr 3, 2003

Though its heart is in the right place, this would-be feel-good sensation never puts the other pieces together.

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Nick Schager Slant Magazine Mar 19, 2003 .5/4

Manna from Heaven is a creakily old-fashioned screed about Christian selflessness and charity, staged and shot like a Lifetime movie-of-the-week.

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Bridget Byrne Boxoffice Magazine Nov 3, 2002 2.5/5

Like a hand-knitted sweater, it's a little lumpy and ill-fitting, but it has a wonderful texture and attractive color and is just fine for making you feel warm and cozy.

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