Unfortunately, the plot wasn’t as inspirational as I’d hoped.  Albom’s stories are always corny, but they’re usually somewhat moving, in the way that secular humanism can be.  This not to say that For One More Day isn’t nice.  It just doesn’t communicate anything particularly insightful—nor will it likely stir your soul.  Its message, “Love your mother, before it’s too late,” mirrors the fifth commandment, and is good.  But the characters (save for young Pauline, played by the outstanding Samantha Mathis) are drawn so thinly that the emotional investment is minimal.

Theologically, For One More Day leaves much to be desired.  Pauline is portrayed as a sort of spiritual guiding light—not just for her son but for others as well.  She can cross back and forth between life and death, dispenses wisdom that extends beyond “mother knows best” and, for some strange reason, has to coif people’s hair, right before they die.  She also drags Charley along on these visits.  And yet, despite her heavenly resume, Pauline fails to say anything profound.  She knows who is going to die and when, and what it’s going to be like for them (she lives there, after all), but she doesn’t let us in on that information.  When Charley insists that she can’t be here on Earth, because she is dead, all she says is, “Oh, Charley, you make too much of things.” 

What holds the film together and ultimately makes it worth watching is the acting.  Imperioli still gives off his strong Sopranos vibe, but he’s good, and quite believable.  His real-life son, Vadim Imperioli, also does a good job as the young Charley.  Burstyn, of course, is excellent.  What a delight to see a 76-year-old woman looking so beautiful and strong, without the frozen features adopted by so many of her peers.    

If you like TV-style tearjerkers—or have mother issues (and who doesn’t)—you’ll probably enjoy this.  Assuming you can get past the pompous title, of course.  If you’re looking for depth of meaning or impressive filmmaking, you’ll want to search elsewhere.
 
DVD EXTRAS:

• Widescreen or Fullscreen viewing
• English and Spanish subtitles

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  Alcoholic character drinks repeatedly and gets drunk, but is rebuked and suffers strong consequences for his actions.
• Language/Profanity:  A handful of mild obscenities.
• Sexual Content/Nudity:  None, save a reference to an adulterous relationship.
• Violence:  A character carries around a gun then holds it up to his head, in an attempt to commit suicide; is involved in a drunk driving accident in which he’s injured (some blood).  A father is harsh with his son (no violence).