WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Unexplainable. It means something that defies explanation or is unable to be accounted for. It is a foundational principal when it comes to us seeing or experiencing an occurrence that baffles logic and confounds human understanding. It is the stuff of God. It is the stuff of miracles. Christy and Kevin Beam (Jennifer Garner and Martin Henderson) count their blessings every day. With the beauty of faith in heart and practice, they live a good life in Fort Worth, Texas with three daughters, Abbie (Brighton Sharbino), Adelynn (Courtney Fansler), and Anna (Kylie Rogers). Even in times of uncertainty, they attend church and have belief that everything will be ok, even if Christy needs a little reassurance from Kevin here and there.
However, life takes a serious and abrupt turn when Anna begins to initially experience an undetermined illness with a consistency that soon has the family, especially Christy, at odds with every medical professional they turn to. No one has answers and seems to believe Anna is fine. Pushing the issue when things do not improve, Christy finally persuades another doctor to do further testing, which reveals a much more dire condition. As stress and tension begin to take over the Beam’s world, Christy fights to have Anna seen by Boston pediatric expert Dr. Nurko (Eugenio Derbez), who confirms Anna’s disease and the Beam’s worst fears.
But, after all has been done and Anna returns home to Texas, an unforeseeable accident yields unbelievable results, leaving all involved amazed, perplexed, and searching their own beliefs even as a family returns to faith and inspiration rules the day.
Next, my Mind:
Directed by Patricia Riggen, who gave us last year’s inspired true story-based effort “The 33”, this newest entry into the now ever-growing stable of faith-based films being released pulls off its miraculous premise with an ease and grace, yet never sinks into the potentially deep hole of melodrama or sensationalistic execution for the sake of soliciting an audience’s reaction. The message of faith in God is, of course, very prevalent here, and this might have seemed a little “preaching to the choir” for some. But make no mistake, faith is questioned within this narrative, and it is the humanness portrayed in that struggle which gives even more realistic dimensions to it all. Things aren’t perfect, things so awry, situations look hopeless. But within this trial comes the realization that something bigger has control over the circumstances, even when we are angry and doubting.
Garner absolutely excels in roles like this. Playing Christy as the “everywoman” thrust into a desperate situation that causes her to take every possible measure in the attempts to keep her daughter protected and hopeful while battling all the conflict within herself, much less brought upon her by others, is simply inspired. Every emotion portrayed is raw and genuine via Garner’s heartfelt delivery. Likewise, the same must be said for Rogers, whose innocent face plus soulful and striking turn as Anna captures and maintains the viewer’s notice throughout, and you will feel every ounce of pain this little girl endures as the character. Strong supporting turns by Henderson, Sharbino, Fansler, and Derbez plus Queen Latifah, John Carroll Lynch, Bruce Altman and others add to the depth and impact of the story.
Overall, “Miracles From Heaven”, the second amazing effort under Sony Pictures and its shingle Affirm Films this year already, proves to be a winner and this reviewer has hopes it will cause viewers, believers or not, to look at their faith and beliefs and perhaps experience in a new way that there really is more to this existence than what our eyes can see.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
