Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Must See Movie...

Great Film overall

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

I watched this movie on a bus, so I had no choice. So, one kid in Texas (small town Cristian family) gets really sick and the mother does not know what to, takes it to the doctor. The doctors do not know what to do, so the family goes to a big city, where the big doctors see the problem and start treatment. But the kid being a kid falls into a hollow tree and after being rescued by firefighters gets miraculously healed by the holy spirit. The mother prays the whole time so it must be God who healed the kid. The whole movie is pathetic, the whole idea that this mother believes a god will miraculously heal her kid, but not the doctors, is so wrong. If you so much believe then why bother to take it to the doctor aniway! The main actress is not likable at all. The movie is this kind of movie your aunt would watch and use it as an argument that God is almighty. Really. Bad. Movie.

As a Christ follower, and one who enjoys uplifting and encouraging films, I'm always looking for faith-based movies to see. I've seen some good ones, but also (unfortunately) too many - though sincerely made - not so good ones. This one was not only highly rated on Netflix, but it features two well-known actresses (Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah) and a couple of recognizable character actors (Martin Lawrence and John Carroll Lynch) as well. So I thought I'd check it out.Firstly, I didn't know the story of the Beam family as told in the book which shares the film's title; it was a New York Times Bestseller written by a Texas mother named Christy Beam (Garner's character) a couple of years ago. I also didn't know it was about a young girl's claim that she went to Heaven and returned. This non- Biblical concept was exploited a few years earlier in a film I definitely avoided. So, I wouldn't have 'rented' this one if I'd have known in advance that it was going to promote the same heretical concept.However, since this part of the plot isn't revealed until late in the drama, I watched it unaware of what was going to happen, like anyone else unfamiliar with this purported true story.It's actually pretty good, for the most part. It realistically portrays the family's struggles through the hardships and inherent suffering when dealing with the torturous medical condition of one of their three daughters. Anna, played by Kylie Rogers, who is essentially terminal, though - unless I missed it - no doctor says anything like "she has 14 months to live".I certainly hope that there really are doctors like Dr. Nurko (Eugenio Derbez), the busy specialist in Boston that treats Anna's condition(s). What a bright light of joy amidst such difficult circumstances. He's one of two characters - the other is played by Queen Latifah - that exhibit Christ-like behavior without explicitly being identified as having faith in Jesus.In fact, there are several other characters who profess to be Christians that espouse misguided Pharisaical beliefs: that Anna's condition is due to sin or a lack of faith in the Beam family. Fortunately, Christy's Pastor Scott (Lynch) later says to Christy: "Kevin (her husband, played by Henderson) told me what those ladies said to you, and ... I sure wish that I could give everybody a spiritual IQ test before they walk in the door."I'm really not sure if the mixed messages of these characterizations - in addition to Christy's inconsistent faith throughout - were intentional or just symptomatic of the flawed Prosperity Gospel to which producer TD Jakes subscribes.Finally, actress Garner didn't deliver the emotional depth that was required to carry the picture. This was surprising given that she also has three daughters and her director, Patricia Riggen (who ably conveyed the drama of The 33 (2015)), is the mother of a daughter herself.

I know, you've just about had it with these poorly produced independent features that preach Christianity. I will admit that Miracles from Heaven falls under that category of the lowliest of the low when compared to the loud, expensive spectacles that Hollywood churns up to financial success. But it's not the same type of "repent or you're going to hell" hate speech that God's Not Dead spits out, nor does it celebrate shallow cultural stereotypes like Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas, but rather, it tells a true story open to interpretation that is worth discussion by all viewers.The family we follow in this picture is the Beam family, composed of a mother, father, and three girls. Jennifer Garner (Alias, Juno) plays the mother of the family, Christy Beam. This once talented actress is simplified to an annoying vessel of a character who exists just for the other people in her life to hand her crucial information, all while she blames others for her troubles. Yet her whiny nature is true to the natural events, as the stress between her and the Lord comes across plainly.Martin Henderson plays the father of the family, Kevin Beam. He shows no sorrow toward his daughter, nor is he as involved here as the true story claims. Courtney Fansler plays Adelynn Beam, the youngest child, while Brighton Sharbino plays Abbie, the oldest child. Neither of these girls are convincing in their roles, but there's at least a slightly more tolerable performance by the miracle child in between them, Anna, played by Kylie Rogers.Anna goes from freely spinning in a tire with her sisters one minute to puking her way through each long, ungodly night for weeks on end. The symptoms continue, her tummy becomes unnaturally bloated, and it takes a trip to the Boston Children's Hospital to diagnose the true condition: Pseudo-Obstruction Motility Disorder. All the doctors say that she has no chance of surviving this disease… or does she?While the oversaturated lens-flare heavy imagery of Texas takes me out of the experience, the use of the camera and script still expresses a clear aura of support that glows within this family. You see it as dad buys his daughter a dog to cheer her up, and they all commit to not eating pizza until they know she's better. Together, you sense that they're all secretly praying, "Why me, Lord?"Christy thus makes a difficult choice to fly to Boston for a doctor who can find a cure. I'll admit I never felt she had anything valuable to leave in Texas, as all her "friends" there are such dreadful actors, and director Patricia Riggen's (The 33) poor staging of their scenes failed to add any expected drama. Yet once they make it to Boston, life and joy is poured back into their hopelessness with Boston's most knowledgeable doctor, who is extra silly with his Elmo tie and pirate impersonations to boot. Funny how the most miserable place for them each to be is where the most smiles erupt.During their stay, they each befriend an outgoing waitress played by Queen Latifah (Chicago) who takes them on a tour through Boston in her own vehicle that looks fresh out of the dump. The montage of the mother and daughter meeting the city and its famous landmarks tries to be both charming and humorous, but the high commercialism and oversentimentality of it all misses the point of the story entirely. They could have left this whole scene (and waitress) out and nothing would have changed.Yes, I know, Miracles from Heaven is a deeply flawed Christian film that has no real replay value (and that's coming from a fellow Christian). But aside from the lack of mastery over story, an unbelievable account of a miracle too good to be true makes this a must-see. The logical would say that a lethal disease is reason enough to give up on Christ, but Miracles from Heaven proves how miracles are hidden in any uncalled for series of events. Miracles may not be in the big things like cancer and death, but it's always in the little things like pillow fights and pizza parties. Miracles are found in a cross necklace worn at all times, Miracles are found in the father's response to his daughter's eternal pain. While we may not know what God has for us, we can still see the miracles in everyday living as long as we cling to faith in his good plan.

Having been initially wary of how well this film would play out - I ended up surprised at just how successfully it was handled. To begin with, it features a sterling performance by American Jenifer Garner. She absolutely shines in her difficult role as mother to young daughter Anna Beams. Anna's story could too easily be palmed off as clichéd but, being based on factual situations makes it considerably different from other movies with similar content. It tells of Anna's astounding life changing experiences while fighting off a rare, deadly digestive disorder. Young Kylie Rogers as Anna, proves herself to be quite a formidable star.The screenplay by Randy Brown is adapted from Christy Beam's (Anna's mother) factual book. Christy examines the many challenges and inspirational experiences shared by her daughter and family. Garner plays Christy, while New Zealand actor Martin Henderson ("Little Fish" '05) turns in good support as her husband. The family have all moved to live on his newly established Veterinary farm in Texas and are set to be sorely tested, emotionally and financially. Another noteworthy performance comes from multi-talented Eugenio Derbez, playing a highly interesting character who's based on real-life specialist Dr Samuel Nurko. Other cast members in supporting roles also execute their characterizations very well indeed. And, that surprising 'Tree' scene is rather unsettling.American based Peruvian cinematographer and director of photography Checco Varese (AKF: "The 33" in 2015) supplies a wide array of glorious visuals. These are accompanied by a worthy music score from veteran Roman composer Carlo Siliotto. The whole work is nicely tied together with great flare by talented Mexican director Patricia Riggen, who keeps this true story running at just the right tempo. Viewers with tendencies towards little or no faith, or those who maybe cynical towards situations involving the inexplicable - might find this movie could be wasted on them - however, no matter what your view, it is difficult to dispute the confirming evidence of documented medical records!. If your'e looking for a faith-lift based on actual events, then you won't be let down. Introducing the real-life characters over the final credits is a master touch. It's good to know this movie was so successful - it actually made a well deserved profit. It's certainly a refreshing break from the assorted porn masquerading as 'entertainment' on today's market. Congratulations all involved and Sony/Columbia.