THE MIRACLE CLUB
The Song of Bernadette helped make the French village of Lourdes world-famous, a favorite destination for travelers in need of some direct spiritual guidance—or divine intervention.
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Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan pokes gentle fun at the inevitable commercialization of this tourist haunt, but he’s quite empathetic to the genuine hope, torment, and fear that drives many of the devout into the Pyrenees to find solace. This comedy-drama set in 1967 is a study of human emotions, all played by a wonderful quartet: Laura Linney, Kathy Bates, Dame Maggie Smith, and Agnes O’Casey. Linney is Chrissie, who was forced to leave her Irish village as a teenager (for reasons we can probably guess).
A memorial service for her mother Maureen prompts her return from America to Ireland, and her appearance raises guilt and suspicion in both Lily (Smith) and Eileen (Bates), two friends of Maureen’s. Dolly (O’Casey) is a slightly younger neighbor who joins them for a sometimes rocky pilgrimage.
All four women have their own, personal pain they half-hope will be magically healed in Lourdes, though Chrissie is a skeptic who has reasons for her cynicism. The dramatic revelations of the female leads are nicely offset by scenes of the menfolk (including Stephen Rea) back in the village, comically fumbling in their attempts at basic chores. It’s corny and old-fashioned but in this case, “corny” is also refreshingly earnest and compassionate, especially when the four women discover that their shared humanity effaces their outward differences.
It’s a beautifully acted, sublimely funny and tender film with moments—like Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates belting out a rendition of “He’s So Fine” at a church event—that remind us of their effortless star power.
(Rated PG-13 for mature themes and some profanity.) | 91 minutes
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