Ordinary Angels

This film is based on the novel of the same name, where author Sharon Stevens chronicles an inspirational true story.  After losing his wife, Ed Schmitt (here portrayed by Alan Richton of Reacher fame), is desperate to get his five-year-old daughter a liver donor.  Stevens is played by Oscar-winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) effectively as an alcoholic, a hairdresser, and single mother.  One day, after discovering an article about this young girl in the newspaper, she sets out to help raise money for the operation and help Ed and his family in their time of need.

While Ordinary Angels might be a true story, it’s still a familiar road that we have certainly been down many times before.  But that does not keep it from being an incredibly well-made and emotional film, boasting two extremely talented leads.  Ever since he lost his wife and was left to provide for his two daughters with only the aid of his mother, Ed has also lost his faith in God.  Sharon believes that she has found a better purpose, but caring for this family is really just another form of addiction, as is pointed out to her by a friend.

One of the greatest strengths of the film, directed by Jon Gunn, who has been involved in many faith-based projects including Jesus Revolution, American Underdog, and I Still Believe, is that while this one contains elements of Christian faith, it is not preachy.  This is something that I can always appreciate in such movies.  The writing by Kelly Fremon Craig and Meg Tilly is wonderful.  The characters are well-rounded and both have incredible arcs.

That said, there were some significant creative liberties taken here with Stevens’ story.  The biggest difference is that she was never an alcoholic.  This is rather a strange choice, because without this struggle, what personal challenges is she left with?  A subplot involving a strained relationship with her son is likewise completely fabricated.  I suppose this was to create more drama, but even while watching it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this “Disappointed Child” trope was not real.

Still, in the grand scheme of things, these departures from reality don’t make it any less impactful by the time the credits roll, with text telling us what happened to these people, and showing their pictures.  It’s a well-paced two hour journey, and in a world where every cinematic offering feels obligated to go on well past that runtime, it was refreshing.  A word of caution, though: despite the PG rating, this probably should have been rated PG-13 due to its intense subject matter, especially in the depiction of a child’s illness.  While sensitive viewers might want to sit this one out—and it is indeed an emotional gut punch—as mentioned, it is ultimately uplifting and powerful.  These Angels are not ordinary; rather, they are extraordinary.

Rated PG

1 hour, 58 minutes