This week's movie with a literary connection is "Letters to God," a tale of a young boy who is battling brain cancer and forms a spiritual bond with those around him, including a troubled postman. Patrick Doughtie wrote the story, inspired by his son Tyler, who died in 2005. Doughtie has written a companion book, and he and wife Heather also created a kids' version. By all accounts, this seems like one of those tear-jerkers that critics will pan and fans will adore. A more religious version of a tale that Nicholas Sparks might weave, on the order of "The Last Song" or "Dear John." Here are excerpts from reviews:

Orlando Sentinel -- Good looking ... but slow and bland, this faith-based tear-jerker is a depressingly unemotional affair, with writing and some of the acting so flat that even its emotionally loaded situations can’t inspire waterworks.

New York -- A young boy with cancer writes letters to God; an alcoholic postman gets them and reexamines his life. This feel-good (or should that be feel-bad?) movie purports to be about how the power of prayer affects others in a community. Something tells us it’s not meant for a New York audience.

Variety -- Bearing echoes of "Pay It Forward," "My Sister's Keeper" and even "Miracle on 34th Street," this faith-based/fact-based inspirational weepie allows no one to escape the saintlike glow of its terminally ill protagonist.

MovieGuide -- an impressive, well-written, redemptive, powerful movie that will touch the hearts of most people who see it.