Saint Ralph (2004)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Michael McGowan

Writer:

Michael McGowan (writer)

Release Date:

8 April 2005 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

Finding yourself on the starting line of life.

Plot:

Saint Ralph is the unlikely story of Ralph Walker, a ninth grader who outran everyone's expectations except his own in his bold quest of trying to win the 1954 Boston Marathon.

Plot Keywords:

Marathon | Running | Miracle | Coma | Confession

Awards:

6 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Adam Butcher	...	Ralph Walker
Campbell Scott	...	Father George Hibbert
Gordon Pinsent	...	Father Fitzpatrick
Jennifer Tilly	...	Nurse Alice
Shauna MacDonald	...	Emma Walker
Tamara Hope	...	Claire Collins
Frank Crudele	...	Mr. Karl
Michael Kanev	...	Chester Jones
Chris Ploszczansky	...	Hulk
Paulette Sinclair	...	Secretary Roddy
Lubica Kucerova	...	Woman in Shower
Ben Gans	...	Senior Citizen No. 1
Jock McLeod	...	Senior Citizen No. 2
Jeff Baxter	...	Cattana
Daniel Karasik	...	Bolan

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and partial nudity.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:6 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | USA:PG-13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva)

Filming Locations:

Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Alliance Atlantis Communications

Trivia:

The name of the imaginary author of Ralph's manual on long-distance running, Simon Longboat, was borrowed from the great Canadian runner Tom Longboat, who won the Round the Bay Race in 1906 and the Boston Marathon in 1907.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The announcer in Hopkinton at the start of the marathon says "Welcome to the 53rd running of the Boston Marathon". The 1954 Marathon would be the 58th running.

Quotes:

Father George Hibbert: [as Ralph shows up for his first Cross Country workout] We run in Cross Country, Ralph... Run.
Ralph Walker: How in Christ did I ever end up here?
Father George Hibbert: I ask myself that every day.

Soundtrack:

Dark Angel

Surprisingly enjoyable

Air Canada was showing this a few months ago. With nothing better to do I thought I'd give it a try. It's nice to start watching a movie you have never heard of. And not having anyone else's viewpoint to prejudice you. At least when it is this good. The initial disappointment of there being no well known movies on offer soon evaporated. After an uncertain start the wholly believable characters win you over. A bit corny at times for sure, but funny, and well acted. And ultimately one of the most moving films I have seen in a while (ok discounting Finding Neverland). An excellent coming of age tale, which I enjoyed retelling to my kids.

A must to rent.