Saint Ralph
3.5/4
Starring: Adam Butcher, Campbell Scott, Gordon Pinsent, Jennifer Tilly, Michael Kanev, Tamara Hope
Rated PG-13 for Some Sexual Content and Brief Nudity
Inspirational stories are a dime a dozen. Few are as enthusiastic or entertaining as "Saint Ralph."
Ralph (Butcher) is a gawky, socially awkward freshman at a Catholic high school in Canada. His hormones are just starting to act up, which runs him afoul of the headmaster, a stern man named Father Fitzpatrick (Pinsent). In other words, he's your average teenager. His father died in the war and his mother is in the hospital, Ralph is also living on his own. When his mother falls into a coma, a sympathetic nurse named Alice (Tilly) tells him that it will take a miracle to wake her up. After a cutting remark from his cross country coach, Father Hibbert (Scott), Ralph decides that he'll perform a miracle by winning the Boston marathon. Reluctantly coached by Father Hibbert, Ralph sets out on his dream.
The acting goes a long way in selling the film. It's clear that the film was made for next to nothing, and budgetary limitations are frequently obvious. But the high caliber acting made me more than willing to overlook them. Adam Butcher is very good as Ralph. Although he has a few moments where he strikes the wrong note, overall he gives a terrific performance (in both voice and appearance, he brings to mind the late great Jonathan Brandis). He pursues his goal with such zeal and and enthusiasm that it's impossible not to like the kid. One could argue that the events that inspire him to run the marathon are contrived, I found them believable because they come from adolescence. No one's mind runs exactly normal at that age. Campbell Scott is in top form (is he ever not?) as Father Hibbert. After watching "Roger Dodger," it's surprising how warm and sympathetic he is. Gordon Pinsent has the most difficult role as Father Fitzpatrick. He thinks that Ralph chasing miracles is blasphemy, but considering the context, it's more than a little hypocritical. He believes that he has Ralph's best interests at heart, which makes him more than a one-dimensional villain. Jennifer Tilly provides solid support as Alice.
There aren't really any "problems" with the film so much as elements that I wish writer/director Michael McGowan had explored further. For example, the scenes that explore Ralph's adolescent mind are fresh and original, and I wish McGowan had given them greater depth. Also, the ending isn't as satisfying as it could be. It feels rushed, and lacks closure.
In a rare moment of lucidity, the MPAA elected to give this film a PG-13 rating. There's some stuff that is racy for what the MPAA deems appropriate for teens, but nothing that a teenager shouldn't see. There's a scene showing a woman showering in the nude (from behind) and a scene in a pool that would be at home in a raunchy teen comedy (what happens there is something I will leave you to discover). If the MPAA made smarter judgments like this, they wouldn't be such a laughingstock.
All that being said, this is a wonderful, charming movie. Definitely recommended.
Starring: Adam Butcher, Campbell Scott, Gordon Pinsent, Jennifer Tilly, Michael Kanev, Tamara Hope
Rated PG-13 for Some Sexual Content and Brief Nudity
Inspirational stories are a dime a dozen. Few are as enthusiastic or entertaining as "Saint Ralph."
Ralph (Butcher) is a gawky, socially awkward freshman at a Catholic high school in Canada. His hormones are just starting to act up, which runs him afoul of the headmaster, a stern man named Father Fitzpatrick (Pinsent). In other words, he's your average teenager. His father died in the war and his mother is in the hospital, Ralph is also living on his own. When his mother falls into a coma, a sympathetic nurse named Alice (Tilly) tells him that it will take a miracle to wake her up. After a cutting remark from his cross country coach, Father Hibbert (Scott), Ralph decides that he'll perform a miracle by winning the Boston marathon. Reluctantly coached by Father Hibbert, Ralph sets out on his dream.
The acting goes a long way in selling the film. It's clear that the film was made for next to nothing, and budgetary limitations are frequently obvious. But the high caliber acting made me more than willing to overlook them. Adam Butcher is very good as Ralph. Although he has a few moments where he strikes the wrong note, overall he gives a terrific performance (in both voice and appearance, he brings to mind the late great Jonathan Brandis). He pursues his goal with such zeal and and enthusiasm that it's impossible not to like the kid. One could argue that the events that inspire him to run the marathon are contrived, I found them believable because they come from adolescence. No one's mind runs exactly normal at that age. Campbell Scott is in top form (is he ever not?) as Father Hibbert. After watching "Roger Dodger," it's surprising how warm and sympathetic he is. Gordon Pinsent has the most difficult role as Father Fitzpatrick. He thinks that Ralph chasing miracles is blasphemy, but considering the context, it's more than a little hypocritical. He believes that he has Ralph's best interests at heart, which makes him more than a one-dimensional villain. Jennifer Tilly provides solid support as Alice.
There aren't really any "problems" with the film so much as elements that I wish writer/director Michael McGowan had explored further. For example, the scenes that explore Ralph's adolescent mind are fresh and original, and I wish McGowan had given them greater depth. Also, the ending isn't as satisfying as it could be. It feels rushed, and lacks closure.
In a rare moment of lucidity, the MPAA elected to give this film a PG-13 rating. There's some stuff that is racy for what the MPAA deems appropriate for teens, but nothing that a teenager shouldn't see. There's a scene showing a woman showering in the nude (from behind) and a scene in a pool that would be at home in a raunchy teen comedy (what happens there is something I will leave you to discover). If the MPAA made smarter judgments like this, they wouldn't be such a laughingstock.
All that being said, this is a wonderful, charming movie. Definitely recommended.
Comments
Post a Comment