Miracles from Heaven (2016)

Based on the memoir by Christy Beam, this film tells the absolutely heartbreaking story of a young girl suddenly struck down by a mystery illness, and the persistence of an incredibly strong-willed mother who helped to save her.

Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner) lives with her husband Kevin (Martin Henderson) and their three daughters - thirteen-year-old Abbie (Brighton Sharbino), ten-year-old Anna (Kylie Rogers) and six-year-old Adelynn (Courtney Fansler) on their farm in Texas. They are an extremely close family, and find great meaning in their faith, and in their local church, led by Pastor Scott (John Carroll Lynch).

One night, after a church barbecue, Anna - the middle daughter - becomes very sick without warning. After taking her to doctor after doctor with no diagnosis that seems to match her strange symptoms, the family - and particularly Christy - are at their wits’ end.

Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner) and Kevin Beam (Martin Henderson).

It is only through Christy’s persistence that they are finally able to get a correct diagnosis for Anna’s condition: she has what is called a motility disorder, meaning that her intestines have become blocked, and her body is no longer able to properly digest food. This manifests itself physically in an incredibly bloated stomach (kudos to the wardrobe and effects departments here), and an incredible amount of constant pain.

After sitting on the waiting list to see a specialist (who unfortunately is based in the children’s hospital in Boston), Christy decides she has had enough. She takes Anna, and goes to Boston, intending to just show up at the hospital and demand to see the specialist.

At first, they are unsuccessful, after all, the specialist can only take on new patients when an existing patient no longer requires his care. And as there is no cure for the condition, this only happens when a patient dies.

Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers) being examined by Dr. Samuel Nurko (Eugenio Derbez), with Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner) in the background.

But somehow, miraculously it seems, Anna is able to get an appointment with the specialist, Dr. Samuel Nurko (Eugenio Derbez). And what a doctor he is. A cross between Hunter Adams and - well, any more serious doctor - he has plans for Anna’s treatment that see her travelling back and forth between Boston and Texas many times, which takes its toll not only on the family finances, but even more on Christy’s faith.

Randy Brown’s screenplay, based on the real-life Christy Beam’s book of the same name, is relatively well-written. I have not - as yet - read the book, so I cannot speak to the success of the adaptation in particular, but as a film, it seems to flow well. The characters are all very well-written, and the plot seems to move at an appropriate pace for a film of this type.

The production design (by David Sandefur) is fantastic, with every set and location perfectly reminiscent of very real-world locations. There is a significant moment in the film that centres around a large, hollow tree on the Beam family property, and everything about the design of this tree is stunning, and will draw you from the edge of your seat to as close to the screen as you feel comfortable, such is the realism of the design.

Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers).

It is in the performances of the cast that this movie really shines, however. Jennifer Garner is brilliant as Christy Beam, and there is a fantastic cameo performance by Queen Latifah as a waitress who becomes very involved in Christy’s - and indeed Anna’s - life. Eugenio Derbez is fantastic as Dr. Nurko, bringing humour into what is otherwise a very serious situation.

But the clear standout performance in the film comes from young Kylie Rogers, whose portrayal of Anna will move you from laughter to tears and back again over and over until the film’s breathtaking conclusion. This is an actress who clearly has a long career ahead of her.

Director Patricia Riggen has made an absolutely beautiful film here, that is sure to captivate you from beginning to end. This is a film I have seen several times over, and it still moves me every time.

8 out of 10.