Review of Breakthrough (2019) by Kenr — 12 Apr 2020

Prolific actor/director Roxann Dawson (Star Trek: Voyager) shows a good flair for being a first-class actor’s director in this beautifully produced, performed, and photographed production. A strong cast brings what some might call a predictable story to vivid life. Any story based on factual and relatively inexplicable occurrences --based on a strong faith premise – can’t help but feature a certain degree of predicable asides – for these are determined by the amazing factual outcomes at its core. There will always be doubters when it comes to incidents that involve supernatural intervention and this will vary with the degree of faith held by the viewer. Thankfully, this production only features one or two scenes that perhaps begin to fall into the trap of over sentimentalising certain situations. But convincing performances and a generally powerful fact-based script lift it over and above any contrivances. What comes across perfectly, is the always difficult to achieve embodiment of repaired relationships - especially in this case, involving a damaged adopted family member. Might be worth seeing by all in need of genuinely inspirational entertainment. Others, just stay away or go to a crowd pleasers comic-book action flick if you really want banality.

Features Diane Warren’s 2019 Academy Award-nominated song “I’m Standing With You” as performed by Chrissy Metz.