'Miracles from Heaven' - Worthy Tearjerker

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of 'Faith Based' films. Most tend to be too preachy and slap you in the face with right wing Christian views. However, with an outstanding performance from Jennifer Garner, the 'Faith Based' 'Miracles from Heaven' succeeds where all others have fallen short of. It provides an uplifting film with a compelling story, thoughtfully acting as well as a message that will strike a note in nearly everyone.  Caution, if you don't want to cry in a movie, avoid this one. I don't think there was a moment that I didn't shed a tear.

'Miracles from Heaven' is bought to you by the same folks who produced 'Heaven is for Real', another 'Faith Based' film; the only difference is while 'Heaven is for Real' takes a look at the aftermath of a 'healing'; 'Miracles from Heaven' takes a very real look at the struggle a family goes through when dealing with a near death crisis. Young Anna Beam (wonderfully played by Kylie Rogers) is diagnosed with a rare intestinal disorder that prevents her from digesting food that will most assuredly kill her (and painfully so). Her mother, Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner, in a stunning performance) does everything in her power to try and find help for her middle child. Did I mention this was based on a the actual story as recanted by Christy Beam?

Christy is determined to save her daughter, packing her up she jets to Boston where through almost sheer will she is able to secure an appointment with the world renowned specialist, Dr. Nurko (the charming Eugenio Derbez ).  This is where the film itself really succeeds; it is where it could have fallen into heavy handed Christian speak and instead focuses on the struggle of faith that Christy goes through and the near limitless faith of the child, Anna.

While 'Miracles from Heaven' does have its share of slower moving plot points, it is not to the detriment of the film, rather, they serve as moments of Christian Faith preaching that is neither heavy handed or preachy; rather, they are points that are well made and perhaps even are felt by those watching the film. As in the point that there are miracles every day and that we just need to realize them.

Even as Anna shares her encounter with God, we are drawn into the moment with a joyful sense of awareness and childlike wonder; the film captures that with the eyes of Anna and not the eyes of a preacher.

I walked out of this film with sore eyes from the many moments of tears, both in sadness and joy.  This is a very worthy 'B+' effort that will have you filled with a sense of wonder and perhaps renewed faith.