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Miracles From Heaven

Miracles From Heaven

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Martin Henderson, Kylie Rogers, Queen Latifah, Summer Corbitt, Bruce Altman (Rated PG – 109 min).

Faith based movies have been improving in production quality at a great rate in recent years which in turn attracts higher profile talent on and off screen, thus expanding commercial popularity in a massive way.

One of the most impressive films of the year so far was the pre-Easter release Risen. Starring Joseph Fiennes, it had influential box office appeal and a look of a big budget Hollywood blockbuster which it certainly was not.

Based on an extremely well reviewed book by Christy Beam, Miracles from Heaven tells her truly remarkable true story of Anna Beam, her 9 year old daughter, wise beyond her years, who becomes unexpectedly ill. Upon the first visit to the doctor, he suggests simple digestive dilemma of lactose intolerance to be the issue. However prognosis after a return bout of sickness, the life threatening Motility disease, is diagnosed preventing Anna from any kind of food. It is also incurable.

A close devout family with church and god cornerstones to their life, the Beams will not give up hope. What is supposed to be her final trip home, something happens, something wonderful. When climbing an old tree, something Anna has done a thousand times before, things take an even further dramatic turn after a brittle branch snaps resulting in her laying unconscious on the ground below, this is when the unimaginable miracle happens.

Kiwi Martin Henderson is a coup as the level headed father, however it is Jennifer Garner who has come a long way since Dude, Where’s my Car? (2000). She steals your heart in an outstanding performance as mother Christy who fails to give up on family and life, while young Kylie Rogers as Anna exudes an abundance of talent in what turns out to be quite the demanding viable emotion fused character. It is always nice to see the superior Queen Latifah on screen, a small but effective role, she is as always, glowing.

Just because this is a motion picture of faith based alternatives, there is no praise the lord type preaching. It is a pretty decent movie, an authentically incredible true story of maturity and bravery, but most of all belief.

Shane A. Bassett

Sydney Unleashed is one of Australia’s premier entertainment publications exploring the latest in lifestyle trends. From Sydney’s finest restaurants, cafes and bars to the hottest in gadgets, products, and home entertainment, Sydney Unleashed is your one-stop lifestyle platform.