The Miracle Club (2023) directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan
The local parish in Ballygar, Ireland, is sponsoring a talent show whose first prize is two tickets on a trip to Lourdes, France. The show's organizer died just before the event but they keep it on in her memory. The organizer's estranged daughter Chrissy (Laura Linney) has come from America for the funeral, a surprise to everyone in town, especially Chrissy's childhood best friend Eileen (Kathy Bates). Chrissy finds an envelop from her mom with an apology for what caused their division and a ticket for the Lourdes trip. Initially, Chrissy does not want to go and the ticket winds up with Eileen, who secretly thinks she has breast cancer and hopes for a cure. A young mom (Agnes O'Casey) with a mute son has won the tickets and wants to take him to the shrine hoping to find a miraculous cure. Her husband does not want her to go, just like Eileen's husband. They both head off anyway along with Lily (Maggie Smith), an old lady still mourning the loss of her dead son who had a relationship with Chrissy. The story of their lives, their angers, and their regrets slowly unfolds during the trip to France and at Lourdes where things aren't quite what they expected.
The charming and intriguing premise is squandered as the movie moves along. Ballygar looks very stereotypical mid-1900s Ireland (the movie is set in 1967) as are the attitudes of most of the characters. They have a lot of anger underneath that comes out occasionally for dramatic effect. A lot of issues and old hurts are eventually resolved through the hardships of the journey more than from any miraculous occurrence in France. None of the characters (including the priest) have a genuine faith, they are just more or less nice people trying to satisfy their own needs, which may wind up helping others. The movie has some funny bits (the trailer falsely sells this as a comedy) but the story is not very inspiring. The actors are good in their roles. I just wish their characters were less superficial. They are in a better place when they return home without really earning it.
Not recommended.
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