The Cokeville Miracle

Like the title said, the acting and directing were less than stellar - though not truly bad. The story makes up for the other shortcomings though. At the point that I thought would be the "miracle" point in the movie, it clearly wasn't nearly over. That's when the real story starts.

I love that TC Christensen chose to make this story into a movie. We need more positive and inspirational movies. Despite the fact that I'm a big fan of theater, love movies, and get frustrated by little inconsistencies or less than accomplished actors, I loved this story enough that I would take it over a very well acted and directed movie with no moral value.

We watched it with three of our sons, ages 9, 13, and 17 and the 13 year old said at the end (in his best disgusted-that-anything-tugged-at-my-emotions voice) "Well THAT made me really happy!"

Here's what I don't get. Why did so many people who don't want to watch a movie about God or religion watch a movie with the word "miracle" in the title? I understand if you don't like that kind of stuff. I don't like horror films so I don't watch movies with the word "horror" in it. You can't complain about a movie being exactly what the title says it's going to be. It's a low budget film, but they did a pretty good job with it. It's great for what it is! And I expected it to be about God, religion, and miracles because I looked at the title. Go into knowing what it is and you will like it. If you go into expecting it to be a big budget Hollywood film you will be disappointed.

This is a film about faith. I imagine many people who watch it may be aware of that beforehand. But if you weren't, and it projects ideals you disagree with, it is best to acknowledge that in a civil, thoughtful, non-attacking way.

Often, if I am critical of material I find offensive (excessive, gratuitous violence and gore, or pornography) I get the injured (and ironically, almost pious) response of "Well, if you don't want to see it, don't watch it." Then they adamantly add "But don't criticize my choices or get in my way." And they cite the First Amendment.

That works in both directions. Realize it. Acknowledge it. Embrace it.

Like others I had never heard of this incident and after reading about it, the movie does follow the events pretty close.

Some scenes just felt out of place like when the commissioner stopped by the station with his checkbook. That was random.

The development of why the perpetrators did what they did was never really explained.

The ending was a tad too long.

This movie won't be winning any awards for acting, although a couple of the kids were pretty good. And not the best special effects, but they did great for the budget they probably had to work with. Definitely did NOT get 80's fashion and hairstyles down, and I guarantee they took artistic liberties with the story. What movie doesn't?

But look past that and you'll see a decent movie about a horrific event and how a tiny little town in Wyoming handled it. Real people, a real event, and how they overcame it all through prayer.

If you don't believe in prayer or divine intervention, you'll hate this movie because you won't be able to see past your own bias.