Season of Miracles

....too close to call. While presenting what is, potentially, a heart-warming story, this film falls flat on it's face with some of the worst directing and acting I've subjected myself to in years. Despite such great potential, the abysmally movie, is full of lackluster scenes and poorly edited, grade school performances.

While I generally afford a lot more patience with new, young actors, this was simply painful to watch. Without waving my flag and getting emotionally caught up in the 'It's Americana so it must be brilliant' mindset,there is no part of this 119 minute snooze-fest with any memorable moments, besides the final credits.

Season of Miracles has a lot going for it. After all, who doesn't love baseball. And the 70s. But at the heart of this indie gem, is the story of how a young team grew up one magical season when they encountered a boy with autism who changed their lives forward.

Grayson Russell is wonderful as the autistic, baseball crushing, Rafer. John Schneider is a caring coach who not only teaches the game of baseball, but the more important game of life. Rusty Whitener plays Rafer's bitter father with depth and emotion. Music is fun and keeps the story moving. A classic American tale worthy of family night in anyone's household.

"Season of Miracles" hits a home run with its coming-of-age story about a team leader, Zack Ross, played by Andrew Wilson Williams, who befriends an autistic boy, Rafer Forrester, played by Grayson Russell. The relationship between the two boys changes the lives of everyone around them. John Schneider does an great job as Coach who gives the boys on his baseball team, the Robins, lessons on life and baseball. The entire Robins' baseball team comes together to deliver a movie that is entertaining and poignant. You'll laugh at the antics of Batman, Donnie, Duffy, Tigger and Little Richard while experiencing some great moments from author and actor Rusty Whitener. It's not just a great baseball movie, it's a great movie and one that you'll want to watch again and again.

This film gives a voice to the autistic community as unique as those affected by the impairment. Not everyone communicates the same way, but everyone has a gift to share.

Children, especially those who don't communicate in the traditional sense, should be nurtured and accepted for the talents and gifts they possess.

"Season of Miracles" celebrates that. In a time when bullying is such an issue, this film promotes friendship and camaraderie in kids through their love of baseball.

Don't miss this film, both for its entertainment quality and teachable moments.

I don't want to say too much but I had high hopes based upon the synopsis, however, it turns out to be flat and exceedingly lackluster,I even tried during the movie, to work out what it is that makes a good premise go so wrong. No one is convincing, least of all the autistic boy (they just don't say please or thank-you, all the boys I have ever worked with have no social awareness at all). The other boys just do not have a natural relationship with one another, it feels like they are just waiting for the lines to be said before speaking their own. I felt it was a Christian apology gone way way wrong. Its hollow and could have been so deep.Shame. I am an avid fan of family films and there are some great movies out there but unfortunately this is not one of them.