‘The Miracle Club’ Review: Dream Cast of Laura Linney, Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates Elevates Irish Drama
variety.comPeter Debruge Chief Film Critic “The Miracle Club” may not be a faith-based movie in the traditional sense (that is, a film made with an explicitly evangelical Christian agenda), but this Ireland-set art-house offering is a movie about faith all the same — specifically, about the conviction that drives four women to make the pilgrimage from Ireland all the way to Lourdes, France, where the waters are believed to have holy healing powers.
If “The Miracle Club” were an overtly religious film, audiences would know from the outset what to expect from the trip (namely, a miracle), whereas director Thaddeus O’Sullivan doesn’t presume to play God, focusing more on mending the relationship between his main characters.
And what a cast he’s assembled to explore these women’s spiritual growth. The movie’s nothing special, but it’s worth checking out just for the cast.
Maggie Smith plays Lily, who lost her son to the sea decades earlier. Adopting an Irish accent and a frosty overall demeanor, Kathy Bates plays Eileen, who’s been nursing a grudge for nearly three decades, ever since ex-bestie Chrissie (American actor Laura Linney) left town.
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