Miracle Maker

'Miracle maker' reunites director John Lyde and screenwriter Sally Meyer, plus several cast members, from 2013's 'Christmas for a dollar.' I won't hold a grudge against anyone for what was a holiday movie so unyielding in would-be charm and good will as to be pretentious, and bereft - but the connections are notable. Keeping that in mind, and based on the premise, I admit I definitely had unfavorable presuppositions when I sat to watch this - but, I'll sit for just about anything. So how is it?

The setting and scenario is established quickly: a frontier town of many decades past, facing hardship on account of the elements, and the hardness of the town's foremost capitalist pig. In addition to that goon, we're also introduced to all the characters, and get a pretty clear picture of their persons and circumstances. We have the hopeful children, the town gossips, the separated lovers, the struggling families, and so on. Beyond that we get eyefuls of rounding details; in general I appreciate the attention to aspects like set design and decoration, costume design, hair and makeup, and so on.

With that said - given the time and place, interiors and wardrobe seem a bit too pristine and impeccably free of soil, dust, or clutter. For as much emphasis as is placed on one character's appearance, the supposed blemish is barely noticeable. Similarly, between a somewhat indelicate hand in Meyers's writing, and a somewhat brisk pace owing to Lyde's direction, scenes and character moments that should have impact are inhibited from naturally manifesting, breathing, and resolving. In turn, the cast's performances are also then dampened. I can't speak to everyone here, but I've seen many in no few other pictures, and found their skills at least adequate, if not admirable. In 'Miracle maker,' the range, nuance, and personality they would bring to their portrayals are broadly artificially restrained, and the depictions are kind of flat as a result.

I don't want to cast aspersions, and even if I did, I'm not sure that any one person's contributions should be singled out as especially deficient. I think it's more that various elements of the movie are sufficiently flawed that the confluence of them all subdues the whole. The heavy-handedness is unfortunate, because were the screenplay given due care, I think the tale would be most fruitful indeed. Characters, dialogue, scene writing, the overall narrative - all show great potential. That potential is not fully realized, and the assembled actors are caged within the bounds of the unfinished space.

None of this is to say that I dislike 'Miracle maker' outright. Actually, as low as my expectations were, this exceeds them. I see the value that just wasn't entirely brought to bear, and I like it nonetheless. It's just that I want to like it more than I do; the feature could and should have been more than it was. Strong ideas, strong themes, a strong cast, and an engaging and heartwarming story are sadly weakened.

How is 'Miracle maker?' Well, I think it is worth watching - not to go out of your way to find, but a fair way to spend 90 minutes if you come across it. Just keep your expectations in check, and maybe you'll be pleasantly, mildly surprised, as I was.

This movie is one of the most stilted and awkward movies I have seen.

PROS

+ One quotation of Mat 9:27-29 which comes indeed from the Christian Bible.

+ The movie demonstrates some good values when it comes to family and community.

CONS

• Partly senseless dialogues and much gossip.

• Poor acting.

• Artificial and extremely rudimentary movie sets (mostly filmed in Utah on Mormon movie sets)

• Poor and incoherent script.

The pastor's mother is bedridden for at least months, then suddenly stands up when a chair comes as a present, with her not showing any sign of surprise that she is walking ...

The movie includes an unmarried pastor who is in love with the daughter of someone who owns all buildings and fires him as pastor (no information on which authority), before he finally allows his daughter to marry the pastor. The spontaneous wedding on Christmas evening is orchestrated by the beggar on the street. Less than 5 seconds later we see the mother of 5 giving birth to their daughter who is then presented to everyone at the town plaza during the same Christmas evening celebration ... This movie is a dulling of the mind.

• Although we thankfully do not find any Mormon doctrine, it is clear that this movie is a Mormon production. The director is a member of the Latter-Day-Saints and the endorsements include numerous references to Utah and Mormons.

This is a fantasy and Western video made for the Christmas season in 2015. The residents of a small, unnamed prairie town in the old West need to have a miracle worker come to town. The apparent reason is because they all seem to be short on money with which to pay the rent for their homes and businesses. While the film has a nice Christmas season outcome, the plot is quite odd. Does James Booth own the whole town? There have been a number of Western movies made over the years in which a cattle baron or mining company ruled over a town. But never before were the residents and shop owners all renters of those folks.

Beyond that, this film has some holes, problems with continuity, very stagey scenes and some not very professional acting. One scene from outside shows what would be a hamlet - little more than a collection of houses spread around. Then, there's a scene of a town center with shops and buildings all around it. And, it looks so manicured that it can't possible be a disguised stage setting.

It's a stretch to give this even five stars, but I do so in the spirit of the Christmas season just ended, when I watched the DVD of this film.

Love the moral of the story! An act of kindness can go so far!

This movie is what Christmas movies are supposed to be. Sweet, sentimental, and about forgiveness. In other words, a good Christian movie 🎥 without shoving anything down your throat. Too many movies nowadays are geared towards pleasing special interests. That's why my family tunes out more and more...

The little girl did a wonderful job with her role . She was super cute and had my family giggling on more than one occasion. Our make lead was quite handsome as well which didn't hurt my feelings one bit. His acting was spot on.

I also enjoyed the background scenery of the Hamlet. To be honest, I wouldn't mind living there.