The Miracle Club – REVIEW
Image: Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates in THE MIRACLE CLUB. Image: film still
A cast of fine actresses star in this quaint British dramedy about family relationships — alternative viewing to the blockbuster movies currently on offer.
Set in Ballygar, Ireland in 1967, the women of the village collectively share the dream of travelling on a pilgrimage to the sacred town of Lourdes. After a few setbacks the pilgrimage becomes a reality for a select few, who are fighting their own demons over lies and secrets spanning over 40 years.
Enter Chrissie (Laura Linney) a woman known to them who mysteriously disappeared from the town 40 years earlier amongst much gossip and angst. She swore she’d never return. Much despised she becomes the key player who attempts to recreate the bond they shared decades earlier.
There will be tears as the past is revisited. Heated arguments ensue as old wounds resurface. Shock memories are ignited — can these old relationships and friendships be mended and rekindled?
Should the past be left in the past and are some things best left unsaid? Ultimately what secrets shall be unveiled and will it take a miracle for these women to reconcile?
Within the complexities in the drama lies welcome comic relief, through humorous dialogue and notably through the ‘mere male’ stereotyped portrayal of the local men as being totally incapable of fending for themselves while their wives are out of town.
A majority of the movie is beautifully filmed on location in the religious town of Lourdes, France, the most famous healing shrine in the world, where it’s vastly believed the healing powers of the bathing waters have miraculously healed people from adverse health issues.
“It’s a bloody gimmick!” yells one of the ladies when it’s announced that only 62 miracles have occurred since 1858. But on her return home will she realise that she actually has experienced a miracle?
Laura Linney, Kathy Bates, and Maggie Smith are brilliant actresses in their own rights. This ‘dream team’ cast who effectively carry the entire movie shall have audiences teary one moment and laughing the next as the story progresses. Themes of hope, loss, guilt, forgiveness, and reconciliation resonate in this heartfelt and feel good human story about estranged family relationships which all audiences should find relatable.
Ultimately, the thought-provoking message is that people should not travel to Lourdes to expect a miracle, but rather to receive the strength to go on when there is no miracle.
★★★1/2
In Cinemas August 3
