Dear God 1996

Comedy

Box Office

$7.1M

Runtime

112 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Garry Marshall

Made by

Rysher Entertainment

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Dear God Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Dear God (1996). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Tom Turner, a con artist in Los Angeles, is played by Greg Kinnear and owes a gambling debt to John Pinette, who portrays Junior, a ruthless loan shark. A stern judge orders him to find a full-time job within a week and keep it for at least a year, or face jail. The sentence sets Tom on an unusual path that might just change his life, and it pushes him toward a world he never expected to be part of.

He lands a job at the post office, sorting mail in the Dead Letter Office, surrounded by a group of quirky coworkers who treat the work as a strange kind of mission. Tom soon discovers letters addressed to the Easter Bunny, Elvis Presley, and even God, and his curiosity leads him to read one written by a needy single mother. While he’s absorbed in the note, he accidentally drops his paycheck and it’s mailed back to the sender, a moment that quietly reveals a small, meaningful impact.

Rebecca Frazen, Laurie Metcalf a burnt-out workaholic lawyer doing pro bono cases, sees the act and its ripple effect. Believing Tom sent the money on purpose, she rallies the other postal workers to keep the goodwill going, turning a single incident into a small movement. Tom becomes an unwilling yet effective leader, answering more and more letters sent to God for help, and the group’s efforts begin to touch many lives across the city.

Meanwhile Tom tries to find love with Gloria, Maria Pitillo who plays Gloria McKinney, a coffee bar waitress with her own quiet dreams. As the good deeds multiply, Tom’s apartment is trashed by the loan shark’s anger, but the coworkers step in to replace what was lost, turning misfortune into a cascade of generosity. Webster, Junior’s “heavy,” stops by to remind him that the man who’s been pressuring them has more to lose than they do, and the tale widens from a personal turnaround to a community-wide effort.

Donations flow in from unexpected places: Salvation Army bells ring with new gifts, the homeless in Santa Monica receive canned goods, and thousands of dollars appear to reinforce the network of kindness. Tom begins to fear a trap and urges the group to lie low for a time, even as the outpouring continues to grow. The Postmaster General publicly declares it a federal offense for postal workers to open mail not addressed to them, and the postal police move to arrest Idris Abraham, a man who claimed responsibility for giving a homeless man a trumpet. Idris Abraham is portrayed by Roscoe Lee Browne.

On television, Tom makes a public confession, and Rebecca, acting as his defense attorney, calls the other postal workers to testify. As she delivers closing arguments, Herman rallies carriers from all over Los Angeles, filling the streets around the courthouse with support. The crowd’s pressure helps sway the judge, who finds Tom not guilty while insisting he complete the original 12 months of work as part of the sentence. In the end, the story emphasizes how small acts of kindness can transform lives, showing that responsibility, community, and second chances can emerge from even the unlikeliest of starts.

Dear God Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Dear God (1996) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Judgment and probation: Tom's sentence

Tom Turner, a con artist, is arrested for ongoing schemes to pay off a gambling debt to Junior. At the sentencing hearing, the judge orders him to find a full-time job within a week and hold it for at least a year, or face jail. The stakes are high as his freedom hinges on honest labor.

Judgment day Los Angeles Courthouse

Starting at the Dead Letter Office

Tom takes a job sorting mail in the dead letter office of the post office. He works among quirky coworkers and discovers letters addressed to the Easter Bunny, Elvis Presley, and God. Curiosity leads him to read one letter from a needy single mother and begin to question the letters' power.

First day on the job Los Angeles Post Office – Dead Letter Office

Paycheck mishap and a small miracle

While reading the God letter, Tom accidentally drops his paycheck and it is mailed back to the recipient. When he goes to retrieve it, he sees the good that his actions have done and leaves, unaware that Rebecca witnesses it. The act plants the seed of something bigger than himself.

Within the first week Post Office – Dead Letter Office

Rebecca's suspicion and recruitment

Rebecca, a burnt-out pro bono lawyer, suspects Tom of sending the money on purpose. She rallies the other postal workers to continue the act of answering letters to God. Tom becomes an unwilling leader as more people join the effort.

Shortly after the paycheck incident Post Office

Tom finds love while dodging trouble

Tom tries to keep a low profile and pursue a romance with Gloria, a coffee bar waitress. He also juggles the risk of returning to jail as the scheme grows. The tension between duty, affection, and legality deepens.

Early in the second act Gloria's Coffee Bar

The community expands: gifts and aid

The group begins replacing Christmas presents, delivering canned goods to the homeless, and other acts of kindness as more letters are answered. A surprising 5,000 dollars arrives, showing the tangible impact of their work. Tom's group becomes a cause larger than one man.

Weeks after start Los Angeles area

Destruction forces a rebuild

Junior trashes Tom's apartment, but the 'God' force—through the coworkers—replaces what was lost. Webster, Junior's heavy, stops by to inform Tom that he has been hit by a bus and is thus off the hook for the loan. The immediate threat recedes, but the movement endures.

After the apartment incident Tom's apartment

Community action grows: Salvation Army, homeless deliver

Neighbors and coworkers step up, filling in the gaps—Salvation Army gifts are restored, homeless residents in Santa Monica receive canned goods, and more cash flows in. The post office community proves capable of large-scale generosity. Tom begins to wonder if they can sustain the movement.

Following weeks Los Angeles area

Federal crackdown and arrest on Idris Abraham

The Postmaster General announces on TV that it is a federal offense for postal workers to open mail not addressed to them. Postal police arrest Idris Abraham for taking responsibility for giving a homeless man a trumpet. The crackdown tests the group's resolve.

National TV announcement News broadcast (Los Angeles)

Tom confesses on TV; Rebecca defends him

Tom publicly confesses on television, taking responsibility for the entire movement. Rebecca acts as his defense attorney and calls in the other postal workers from the department to testify. Their coordinated defense elevates public attention and support.

Climax: TV confession and trial phase Television studio and courthouse vicinity, Los Angeles

Herman and the crowd rally for release

Herman, a fellow postal worker, mobilizes postal carriers from across Los Angeles to fill the streets around the courthouse. Their coordinated demonstration signals broad public backing for Tom. The mass show of support influences the momentum of the case.

Final verdict phase Courthouse, Los Angeles

Not guilty; probation of service

The judge finds Tom not guilty of any crime but requires him to complete the original 12 months of full-time work. The line between justice and charity is blurred as the community continues to support and sustain the effort. Tom accepts the challenge with Rebecca and the coworkers by his side.

Verdict and subsequent sentencing Courthouse, Los Angeles

Dear God Characters

Explore all characters from Dear God (1996). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear)

A skilled but unscrupulous hustler who lands in the Dead Letter Office as part of a court-ordered punishment. He evolves from self-serving con man to an unlikely catalyst for communal generosity, guided by glimpses of conscience. His growing leadership and momentary romance with Gloria drive much of the plot. He remains flawed, yet his actions spark meaningful change in others.

🎭 Antihero 💼 Organizer 🕊️ Redeemed

Rebecca Frazen (Laurie Metcalf)

A burnt-out, pro-bono lawyer who observes Tom’s actions and becomes his fiercest defender. She mobilizes her coworkers to continue the good deed, balancing cynicism with compassion. Rebecca embodies practical ethics and persistence, pushing the group toward meaningful action rather than passive hope.

⚖️ Lawyer 🧭 Moral compass 💪 Advocate

Gloria McKinney (Maria Pitillo)

A coffee bar waitress who catches Tom’s eye and represents a gentler, hopeful path for his life. She embodies everyday kindness and serves as a grounding influence amid the chaos. Gloria’s warmth helps humanize Tom’s transformation.

☕ Everyday kindness 💘 Romantic interest 🧍‍♀️ Grounding

Idris Abraham (Roscoe Lee Browne)

A figure connected to the street-level world of Los Angeles, who takes responsibility for giving a homeless man a trumpet. He becomes part of the broader network of people pushed into action by the postal workers’ initiative. Idris embodies accountability and quiet resilience in a tough urban setting.

🧍‍♂️ Responsible 🌆 Urban survivor 🕊️ Quiet strength

Herman Dooly (Tim Conway)

A fellow postal worker whose observant, supportive nature helps catalyze the plan. He recognizes Rebecca’s mounting stress and uses his influence to summon others to the cause. His camaraderie adds warmth and humor to the movement.

🧑‍💼 Colleague 😂 Comic relief 🤝 Team player

Webster (Donal Logue)

Junior’s heavy who appears in the post office world, contributing to the dynamic environment of the department. He represents the grittier, realistic side of the postal office and the pressures within the system. Through him, the film shows the stakes of bending rules for a greater good.

🧭 Insider 🗂️ Post office worker 🛡️ Realist

Dear God Settings

Learn where and when Dear God (1996) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Location

Los Angeles, Dead Letter Office

The film is set in Los Angeles, centered on the city’s post office and its Dead Letter Office. The urban, bureaucratic backdrop provides a backdrop for quirky coworkers and unlikely acts of generosity. This setting ties ordinary daily life to extraordinary acts of charity that ripple through the community.

🏙️ City 📬 Post Office 🗂️ Dead Letter Office

Dear God Themes

Discover the main themes in Dear God (1996). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🌟

Redemption

A con artist is forced by the court to find steady work or face jail, setting in motion a transformative arc. The protagonist’s reluctant leadership of a goodwill effort shows that people can change when given a chance. Small, honest acts—like returning a paycheck—grow into a larger movement of giving. The film explores whether a flawed person can become someone others rely on.

🤝

Community

Quirky coworkers rally around a common cause, turning the post office into a hub of charity. The collective effort to answer letters and help strangers demonstrates the power of a supportive workplace. As more people join, individual intentions blur into a shared mission. The story highlights how community action can overcome isolation and bureaucratic hurdles.

💌

Faith & Letters

Letters addressed to God become catalysts for real-world generosity, linking belief to tangible acts. The letters inspire both doubt and conviction, revealing how faith can motivate people to help others. The exchange between hope and doubt drives character decisions and community responses. The mail becomes a conduit for mercy in a tough urban environment.

⚖️

Justice

Tom’s fate hinges on legal outcomes as the courtroom drama unfolds. A televised confession and mass support from postal workers lead to a not-guilty verdict, conditioned on completing a year of work. The film juxtaposes formal justice with mercy and public pressure. It suggests that justice can be tempered by compassion when people rally behind a cause.

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Dear God Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Dear God (1996). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a sharply witty Los Angeles courtroom, a stern judge hands a desperate con‑artist, Tom Turner, an ultimatum that could reshape his life: serve a year of community service or spend the same time behind bars. The sentence pushes Tom away from his familiar streets and into a world where paperwork and quiet corridors replace high‑stakes hustles, setting the stage for a story that balances off‑beat humor with an undercurrent of redemption.

Tom’s new assignment lands him in the U.S. Post Office’s dead‑letter department, a cramped, oddly reverent space where undeliverable mail gathers like forgotten prayers. Here, he discovers a steady stream of letters addressed to God, each one a desperate whisper seeking guidance. With a mix of irreverent charm and unexpected empathy, Tom begins answering them in his own improvised voice, turning a bureaucratic oddity into a personal experiment in faith and humanity.

The office soon becomes a micro‑cosm of unlikely alliances. Rebecca Frazen, a burnt‑out lawyer whose own battles with the system have left her jaded, finds herself drawn into the quiet revolution Tom unintentionally sparks. Across the break room, Gloria McKinney, a soft‑spoken coffee‑shop waitress with her own quiet dreams, offers a glimpse of ordinary hope amid the swirling chaos. Together, the eclectic crew finds a rhythm that blurs the line between duty and compassion, as each reply to a prayer‑letter feels like a small act of rebellion against the anonymity of the postal grind.

Yet the buoyant atmosphere is tinged with unease. The Postmaster General’s office and a watchful postal police force regard the growing tide of unsolicited goodwill with suspicion, hinting that any deviation from the rules could draw official scrutiny. As Tom navigates the delicate balance between his con‑artist instincts and an emerging sense of purpose, the film invites viewers to wonder how far a single, unexpected act can ripple through a world defined by envelopes, authority, and the quiet yearning for something larger than ourselves.

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