Worth: $14.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Maggie Smith, Laura Linney, Kathy Bates, Stephen Rea, Hazel Doupe, Mark O’Halloran
Intro:
One could certainly rip into this film for its sappiness and general lack of surprise, but it would be a disservice to a work that is more interested in celebrating life, family, faith and change.
In a sleepy part of 1967 Dublin, a group of close friends are rocked to the core by the passing of one of their own. Broken and wanting to escape their mundane domestic lives, these close friends – Lily (Maggie Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates) and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) – put their names down for a local raffle to win the top prize of a pilgrimage to the French town of Lourdes.
It will come as no surprise that they win the tickets (not through the means you would expect) and embark on the trip to be healed in the waters where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858. However, their plans may be challenged by the sudden arrival of their deceased friend’s daughter Sheila (Laura Linney), who has returned from a long exile in the USA, which will force the friends to re-open deep wounds.
While The Miracle Club may not have widespread appeal and sticks to a specific target audience (hence the casting choices), to its credit; it is a surprisingly sweet offering that will make the biggest cynic smile. Just even a little.
A huge advantage that it has in its corner is the stellar casting. Everyone brings loads of charisma and charm, especially Kathy Bates, who can literally play the crabby conservative in her sleep, even if she does struggle the most with the Irish accent; and Agnes O’Casey is a charming addition, rising to the challenge of pulling the heart-strings with her character’s acceptance of her dim son.
Mark O’Halloran is a wonderful presence in the film as the sweet Father Byrne, who has great comedic moments littered throughout. However, it’s Maggie Smith and Laura Linney, who are the heart of this film and elevate the material. Smith gets across subtle character details through her incredibly expressive face, and is a masterclass in acting; for Linney, who has the only foreign accent in a very European film, smashes the role of an independent woman alienated by her past mistakes. Her character arc is very satisfying, as she becomes the healing component of the group of friends.
The Miracle Club is such an easy, cosy watch; the cinematic equivalent of having a cup of nicely brewed coffee, sweet nibbles while relaxing on a snug couch that you swear is older than the amount of years you’ve been on this earth.
One could certainly rip into this film for its sappiness and general lack of surprise, but it would be a disservice to a work that is more interested in celebrating life, family, faith and change. In a world of cynical filmmaking, The Miracle Club is a nice refresher.
