egarnold

9/10

This is the kind of movie that flyover country want Hollywood to make. At its essence it's the story of a woman who fights the demons and failures in her own life by essentially becoming an angel to a family truly in need. She takes on the burdens of this family to avoid dealing with her own life and in the process is transformed through these acts of pure selfless kindness. Hillary Swank puts on an Oscar worthy performance as Sharon Stevens, our ordinary angel. She slows us all sides of this character, both highs and lows. This is a top actress at the top of her game and she delivers. Alan Richson, of Reacher fame, plays the family's father Ed Schmitt. Just based on the physical size of RIchson, I thought this would be a stretch, but not at all. Richson delivers an amazing performance, filled with nuance and emotion. He has an amazing way of drawing you into his character and feeling his desperation and urgency. All the supporting characters add to the sense of community and love the film delivers in bunches. This kind of flyover country optimism is frowned upon by professional film critics who are mostly cynical elitists who enjoy watching perversion and destruction. So ignore the useless critics and go see this movie. It's so worth your time and money and you'll leave the theater feeling better for it.

CinemaSerf

0/10

Hilary Swank turns in quite a strong performance here as Sharon Stevens. She's an hairdresser with a penchant for the bottle - and for denial - who just happens upon a rather sad newspaper article whilst buying her morning six-pack. The headline features the story of the young girl Michelle (Emily Mitchell) who has just lost her mother and whose father is having to come to terms with her own impending liver failure. After many years of medical treatment, the family are over $400,000 in debt and with the vultures closing in on them, she decides to raise some money to help them out. Father Ed (Alan Ritchson) is a proud man. Not stubborn, just determined that he will keep his family and his home together, so he slightly resents Sharon's self-appointment in his affairs. Luckily his mother (Nancy Travis) sees the sense in her activities and together they all work to raise the funds - and sort out the logistics - so they can secure a transplant for the youngster. Swank reminded me of Jane Fonda for much of this drama, and at times her characterisation of a woman with demons of her own is quite effectively annoying as she interferes at will. Ritchson also delivers potently and the young Mitchell evokes a combination of spiritedness and determination that provides this true story is quite a decent validation of just what can be achieved against formidable odds when driven by a can-do attitude, some human decency and an helicopter.

Manuel São Bento

0/10

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/ordinary-angels-review-an-optimistic-true-story/ "Ordinary Angels resonates as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for compassion and collective effort in the face of adversity. The sensitive screenplay by Kelly Fremon Craig and Meg Tilly, along with the stirring performances by Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson, elevate this true story above the ordinary, offering an inspirational viewing experience that is both a celebration of the human spirit and a call to our inherent goodness. Despite relying on genre conventions, it stands out for its authenticity and the hopeful message it conveys. It’s, without a doubt, a movie that not only warms the heart of everyone who sees it but also prompts reflection on the transformative impact of generosity, altruism, and mutual care in building a better world." Rating: B