Review of Miracles from Heaven (2016) by Thequietgamer — 22 Sep 2016

Based on a true story, one family has their seemingly perfect life turned upside-down when one of their daughters comes down with a mysterious medical issue. If you've seen the trailer, then you know how all of this plays out. It's a common complaint today for trailers to give away too many of the film's surprises, but this movie has the first trailer that I've ever witnessed spoil the entire thing.

Okay, so maybe not the ENTIRE thing, but you'll know how the main parts play out before going in if you watch it. So does that mean there's no point in watching it? Not necessarily. The moments leading up to the big reveal are still sweet, touching, and even heartbreaking enough to keep things enjoyable. Something that is made possible by a truly incredible cast.

While perhaps not given the best dialog, Jennifer Garner's mother who is out to do anything to save her baby girl is nothing less than 100% believable. Young actress Kylie Rogers really has you believing the pain her character is going through. The rest of the cast, while not given as much to do, are just as great at selling the emotions on display.

Now this is a faith-based film. So expect messages of Jesus and faith to be found within. The big hook here is that a little girl's life was saved by a miracle after all. That being said, it's not as preachy as one would expect. It still sneaks it's little Sunday school lessons here and there, with the big sermon saved for near the end, but for the most part the focus is in fact on the story itself. Given the fact that it isn't constantly bombarding you with a nonstop sermon like so many other faith-based films do, Miracles from Heaven will likely be more tolerable for non-believers. Still not a win for them though.

All in all despite being a touch predictable here and there, as well as being outright spoiled by it's trailer, Miracles from Heaven still has enough power to pull at the heartstrings. No, not because of it's message of faith. Those moments are really just preaching to the choir. It's emotional because this is a story about a child going through a horrible situation while her mother does everything she can to fix things. The performances by Garner and Rogers sell the entire thing. It's a sweet and sad movie. One that does get in it's own way at times, but still good in the end. Even if perhaps it ends up being only for a certain audience.