The Maldonado Miracle

Sometimes, films exist outside the formulas. Sometimes, they can make the viewer uncomfortable. The Maldonado Miracle fits both categories. It deals with United States/Mexico border issues with frankness, and that makes many very uncomfortable. Then, it moves into religion and raises questions like: What is a miracle? How different people react is extremely interesting. The viewer must consider some basic issues in his or her own faith, something else that most are not comfortable with. Yet, these issues are what makes this film well worth viewing.

My friends and I were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this movie. Character development was strong, and it was very interesting to get to know each of the characters, to understand their history and mentality, and to see similarities between the characters in the movie and the people I know. As I came to relate to each of the characters in their own way, watching how each of them were shaped by the goings-on in the small town was a thought-provoking experience. It was a deeply enriching movie, and I found myself thinking about the movie quite a bit over the next few weeks after I saw it.

I also was very impressed by how clean and family-friendly it was. I don't recall much swearing, except for maybe a couple of "Jesus"'s. Although some of the interpersonal drama was a little intense, there are no sex scenes or anything provocative. I was really impressed that none of the characters were glamorized or unbelievably good-looking. That made the story easier to believe, and makes me feel better about impressionable kids and teens watching it and learning from it.

The acting was generally very good, the camera directing was beautiful, and the only reason I'm giving it a 9 is because of a cheesy line near the end that was intended to make a jab at journalism and went overboard. Apart from that, watching The Maldonado Miracle was a purely positive experience.

This was definitely a pleasant surprise. When my wife brought it home, I was very skeptical, but it is an interesting and entertaining movie. Salma does very well with artistic moments--showing poignant images and voiceless narrative--but not letting them bog the movie down. It is impressive how she was able to let us peek into the lives of more than a dozen characters, letting us see their struggles and feel that we know them, without getting lost in a mishmash. She also had the good sense to end the movie when it was done. While not a great movie, it is a good movie and much more watchable than any movie Robert Redford has directed. Keep up the good work.

BTW, the song during the end credits is haunting and, interestingly enough, sung by Mare Winningham.

Considering it was Ms. Hayek's first film, it is a remarkable achievement. "The Maldonado Miracle" is a film of rare, quiet beauty; one that touched and moved me without resorting to sentimentality. It touches on the subject of faith, love and grace in a simple way: showing us that the sacred is in the everyday and that hope creates it's own little miracles.

Bravo, Ms. Hayek! I for one hope you keep directing and producing. Your work, along with others in the independent film community, shows the promise of a new era of cinema: one in which substance triumphs, if for a brief moment, over style.

I absolutely loved this film. It is beautiful, as well as profound, in its simplicity. "The Maldonado Miracle" is a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences. The story is of a young boy (Eddy Martin) in search of his father, who indirectly and unknowingly, influences the small town where he is hiding out to make a change for the better. He is the Maldonado miracle. This film expresses such a sweet message of looking for miracles within our individual lives; sometimes they can be found in the most unlikely situations.

Selma Hayek is fantastic in her first film as director. Also, performances by Peter Fonda and child actor Eddy Martin (who, by the way, has an amazing singing voice) are very near perfect. I was able to attend the world premiere of this film at Sundance with the cast and crew. It was such a neat experience and I give "The Maldonado Miracle" my highest praise. I recommend it to everyone who can get their hands on it!