The Miracle of Saint Ralph review

Official Synopisis
Fatherless 14 year old Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) is an oddball who has a knack for finding trouble at every turn as he tries to deal with his blossoming manhood. When his mother goes into a coma, Ralph realizes that he needs to create a miracle in order to bring her back to health. Ralph forms allies in the most unlikely places from former marathon runner Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott) to Nurse Alice (Jennifer Tilly) and outruns everyone’s expectations, except his own, in his deluded quest to win the 1959 Boston Marathon.

Every year hundreds of independent or small budget films are made, lots of which do not reach a wide audience, this is one of those films which really should have. Released in the U.S. as simply Saint Ralph, the film was released in 2005, but is only just seeing a release on DVD in the UK, the film has actually won numerous awards and deservedly so.

I guess you could liken the film to a cross between Billy Elliott and maybe Forrest Gump (due to the running!), a Rocky-esq ending and at times the film reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite, which is no bad thing. Although the core of the story is pretty tragic, the film is a very upbeat and an easy watch, the dialogue is snappy and intelligent, although at times the banter between the younger cast seems a little modern for the 1953 setting.

Sadly, it is this reviewer’s opinion that the weakest part of this film is its leading actor Adam Butcher who plays the main character Ralph Walker. At times he excels, but all too often his inexperience is distracting to the point it takes you out of the film. Gladly supporting characters played by Campbell Scott, Gordon Pinsent and Jennifer Tilly are believable and grounded.

The film is written and directed by Michael McGowan, who is mostly from a TV back ground, hits it right out of the park. His direction is solid and his use of locations and sets is fantastic, the film was made on a budget of $6million, but has the look at least 3 times that amount. Particularly the end marathon, lots of smaller budget films have only a hand full of actors, actresses and extras, well just check out the start of the marathon. Don’t be deceived by the dvd cover – the money has been spent on the film. This is certainly a body of work to be proud of Mr McGowan.

3.5 out of 5 stars – a good watch, enjoyable and fun

This month, Filmtwats have 3 copies of The Miracle of Saint Ralph to give away, for your chance to win a copy why not enter our competition here.