Ordinary Angels

This is a very touching film with very few surprises (there's little doubt how it will all work out). I don't think anyone with a pulse will be able to distance themselves completely from its powerful emotional impact, which is made possible by excellent performances by Hilary Swank and. Alan Ritchson. They are really wonderful in their roles. Ritchson manages to convey all the enormous pain he feels while maintaining a tough, stolid demeanor. His love for his daughters feels completely genuine. Swank gives yet another terrific performance as a woman with many serious problems of her own trying to help this struggling family. It is the Capra-kind of movie designed to make you feel better about humanity and, thanks to truly fine work by the leads, it succeeds.

A heart-warming family entertainment starring Hilary Swank, "Ordinary Angels", based on a true story, is set in rural Louisville, Kentucky in the early 90's and centres around the family of Alan Ritchson's Ed character. Sadly, this is a family struck by tragedy as we quickly learn that after giving birth to two daughters, his wife dies only five years later. Even worse, their youngest daughter, has a life-threatening kidney disorder and because hard-working but hard-up family man Ed can't afford medical insurance, the bills for little Michelle's specialist treatment just keep piling up. His devoted mother pitches in to help but clearly the family is about to go under...

Which is where the town hairdresser, Hilary Swank's Sharon Stevens comes in. She too is a struggling single parent, although her apparent predilection for drink has estranged her from her teenage-musician son. It seems as if her life too is on a downward spiral until she crashes the family funeral and hooks up with Ed and his adorable daughters as a result of which she decides to help them out. This she promptly proceeds to do, beginning with a fund-raising haircut-drive in her shop. But she doesn't stop there and soon afterwards drops full-square into the family's lives and despite his initial resistance, uses her business head and sheer cussedness when it comes to negotiating deals to take charge of Ed and his finances to help them stay afloat.

But little Michelle's condition takes a turn for the worse to the extent that only a kidney transplant can save her life. It all ends up in a madcap race in terrible winter conditions to get the little girl to a hospital six hours away and will require the willing cooperation of a number of "ordinary angels", coralled together by Sharon, to hopefully save the day.

Even if one suspects that some of the action is ramped up to varying degrees for dramatic effect and I'll include in that the suspiciously contrived-looking sub-plot of Sharon's broken relationship with her own boy, you'd have to have a heart as cold as Kentucky snow not to be warmed by this tear-jerker as it reaches its nail-biting climax.

Swank is very good as the boozy Stevens who finds her own self through helping others and Ritchson too shines as the big man pushed to his limits but whose obvious love for his kids pulls him through.

All in all, despite perhaps over-stoking the fire at times, this feel-good movie will put a smile on your face even as you at times will doubtless dab a tear or two away from your eyes.

Based on a remarkable true story, ORDINARY ANGELS centers on Sharon Steves (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it.

I only watched this because I like Hilary Swank, and she did not disappoint. In fact there was not a single bad actor in the entire film. From the receptionist to the 5 year old girl they all played a blinding part and made you totally absorbed and immersed in the story. A true story too.

It's a feel good story with no romance or magic or miracles, just plain people coming together to help other plain people out. It shows what can be possible when we all get together and really try.

I loved the real footage from the time which underscored how ordinary people with a little faith and a lot of human kindness moved mountains to save one little girl.

Believe in good.

A solid 8 from me.

Ordinary Angels is a compelling film that weaves together the threads of faith, family, and the unexpected miracles that shape our lives.

Similar to other films, Ordinary Angels is presented in such a way as to tug on your heartstrings.

Knowing the fragility of the young daughter who recently lost her mother, how could you not feel at least some empathy for the family?

You may even feel empathy for Sharon, the hairdresser who is seeking her own transformation and chance for redemption.

Sharon approaches her journey alongside Ed's family as one of altruism. Yet, she is battling her demons of alcoholism and an estranged relationship with her son.

Helping Michelle helps Sharon and even Ed in ways they might not have recognized.

Sharon brings her tough cookie, 'never stop at the first no' approach to fundraising for the family. Not only is Ed drowning in bills for Michelle, but he also has tens of thousands owed for the care his wife received before dying.

Through Sharon's tenacity, she helps the family cover part of the bill while having the hospital 'erase' a huge swath as well.

I couldn't help but think about all the families out there who are drowning in healthcare bills; unable to stay afloat.

I've heard about how anyone could be one medical emergency away from losing everything. Ed's family was on the verge of losing their home and even his daughter's life with no ability to afford the treatments she needed.

After helping them arrive at a 'clean slate' financially, Sharon doesn't stop as she recognizes there is more to be done.

Michelle will need a transplant (that costs a fair bit of cash) and to have the transplant she has a short window for getting to the hospital doing the operation.

After learning which types of people and companies would have a private jet, Sharon knocks on several doors to get people lined up.

She also leverages the local media to help tell Michelle's story.

Sharon's actions led to an extraordinary, miraculous outcome. Michelle survived and has been able to lead a life that touches many others.

The inspiration we can glean from Ordinary Angels is that each of us can contribute to the benefit of others. That you may need to ask a lot of people before you find someone who can and will help.

This resent Amazon release is inspiring reflecting the best in human efforts. Community is essential. Most are unaware or ignorant of how important connection between people truly is. In recent studies many people were surveyed as to what they believe was most important in health. The vast majority responded that diet and exercise were primary reason for a healthy long life. Stats showed although these are important, human socialization is key to this. Not social media, email, Facebook or any other latest craze but physical contact with other people is paramount. It's who we are, a tactile species. Family, friends, co-workers and extended family is what keeps us going. This film typifies that human condition when a woman decided to intercede in a families loss and helps a dying child survive.