Set within the Louisville, Kentucky community of 1992, a heartwarming tale begins. Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) is a hard-partying hairdresser who has a strained relationship with her son Derek (Dempsey Bryk). Her life makes a dramatic turnaround when she is inspired by a news article about a widowed father (Alan Ritchson) whose daughter is critically ill. Michelle Schmitt (Emily Mitchell) is born with a liver deficiency due to a medical condition. At first, Sharon organizes fundraising events and donation drives to raise tens of thousands of dollars for Michelle’s medical expenses and treatment. At the same time, she provides compassion and encouragement for the father, Ed Schmitt, and the rest of his family, including older daughter Ashley (Skywalker Hughes) and mom, Barbara (Nancy Travis).
Ah, but there was still so much to do. Michelle is in desperate need of a liver transplant. After two years of waiting, a much-needed liver becomes available in January of 1994. Yet they only had a matter of hours to get the child to the medical center for the organ to remain viable. Unfortunately, Michelle must fly 700 miles to the children’s hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. A record snowstorm would make getting to the infirmary near impossible. Once again, Sharon Stevens springs to action and calls a TV station to alert the community that the Schmitt family will need a private plane to fly her there.
Ordinary Angels, directed by Jon Gunn from a screenplay written by actress Meg Tilly (known for her roles in The Big Chill and Agnes of God) alongside Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge Of Seventeen, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret), delivers an uplifting narrative that exceeds expectations. The collaboration between Lionsgate Studios and the Kingdom Story Company champions Christian values within the faith-based genre. With successful box office hits such as Jesus Revolution, American Underdog, and I Can Only Imagine, the studio has carved a profitable niche for itself in delivering inspiring narratives.
As you can tell, this saga sounds like a setup meticulously crafted to strike an emotional chord. The fact that it’s based on true events doesn’t prevent it from feeling like corny hokum. Yet the honest performances from an ensemble cast go a long way to elevating this manipulative drama into something captivating. Hilary Swank’s charismatic portrayal of Sharon Stevens is a heartfelt tribute to the human spirit. Meanwhile, Alan Ritchson’s stoic depiction of a proud man adds believability to this sentimental chronicle.
What can I say? My heartstrings were undeniably tugged. Despite the obvious attempts to manipulate my feelings, I couldn’t resist the tender elements of this melodrama. Ordinary Angels serves as a poignant reminder: life is a mix of triumphs and tragedies. Legitimate strength isn’t found in avoiding hardships but steering through the storms. Human kindness can act as a protective shield in the face of adversity. Sharon Stevens is an example.
02-22-24
One Response
This was very emotional. I teared up a few times. True, a little corny, but I liked it. Hilary was pretty great. Alan’s character was confusing at times, but he portrayed a great father. 3 1/2 ⭐️