This week at the movies: a young girl with a grim medical diagnosis is inexplicably healed after a miraculous experience; and the penultimate film of The Divergent Series keeps its audience waiting and wanting more.
Miracles from Heaven
Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers) lives with a rare, incurable disorder that leaves her unable to digest food. Despite the dire diagnosis, devoted mom Christy (Jennifer Garner) relentlessly searches for a way to save her beloved daughter. Everything changes in an instant when Anna tells an amazing story of a visit to heaven after surviving a headlong tumble into a tree. Her family and doctors become even more baffled when the young girl begins to show signs of recovering from her fatal condition. Based on a true story and adapted from the memoir by Christy Beam.
Perfect for: Rated PG, this one is perfect for families and for those who enjoy seeing heart-wrenching, wholesome movies.
What the Critics Say: The critics agree that Miracles from Heaven is a powerful story told through some very powerful acting (you go, Jennifer Garner!). According to The New York Times, Miracles from Heaven is “an unexpectedly effective tear-jerker” and is “perfectly watchable.” The Chicago Tribune adds: “In recent years, there's been a mini trend of faith-based films concerned with proving the existence of heaven… But while the film is centered around Christian-based faith, it argues for the powers of miracles that are of the more terrestrial and quotidian… Garner is compelling as the dedicated mom questioning everything she believes while fighting for her daughter's life, and young Rogers gives an impressive performance as Anna struggling to maintain her sunny outlook while coping with pain and suffering.”
Our Take: This film has deep roots in spirituality, but is not overly pushy or dogmatic in its delivery of its positive message. Also, Jennifer Garner rules. Our final verdict? Better bring a box of tissues…
The Divergent Series: Allegiant
Tris (Shailene Woodley) must escape with Four (Theo James) and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known in order to find a peaceful solution for their embroiled city. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love. Based on the sci-fi novel series of the same name, Allegiant is the third film in The Divergent Series and chronicles the first half of the two-part finale.
Perfect for: Teens; fans of The Divergent Series film franchise.
What the Critics Say: Allegiant may not be the most thrilling chapter of The Divergent Series, but the critics are hopeful that the final film (coming in 2017) will bring the answers and resolution the audience yearns for. Empire says: “Instead of bringing much-needed clarity, Allegiant piles on yet more bamboozling mythology to flummox and confound… But [there’s] still time for the story to right itself, mired as it is in gene wars and amnesia gas…” The Guardian agrees that the film is adequate, but more excitement is on its way: “All types of people will find something that irks them in the penultimate part of the Divergent franchise… Allegiant spins in place, waiting for next year’s Ascendent to come along and offer resolution…”
Our Take: Like many film franchises, the best is sometimes saved for last. But if you are a big Divergent Series fan, you can't miss out on this next-to-last installment.