The Third Miracle: Frank Shore is the equivalent of a religious hitman - as promulgator he is charged with investigating supposed miracles for people being considered for sainthood. His work draws scorn from his contemporaries and has earned him the title "The Miracle Killer". Due in part to the inherent nature of the job and tragedies in his personal life Frank is embroiled in a crisis of faith, which only grows deeper when he is given a new assignment. Complicating matters is the fact that this one appears to be the genuine article, and not what the Church wants to hear.
Unlike other recent "religious" movies that dealt (badly) with secret cabals within the Catholic Church and evil in apocalyptic proportions (Stigmata, End of Days), or were iconoclastic satirical "exposes" (Dogma) religion is almost a cursory concern in Miracle. Character development is the saving grace if you will of this film. Shying away from special effects and dramatic action shots, the film focuses on the personal struggles that most people go through regardless of the source, be it personal development, career goals or faith. The performances are reflective of this.
Harris, known for his stoic, macho (read stale) characters took a risk with this role as a confused, vulnerable priest. It proved to be a wise decision, as he delivers what is arguably the finest performance of his career. Charles Haid is repugnant as a narcissistic Bishop, more concerned with cocktail parties and schmoozing with politicians, than he is with spiritual purity. Armin Mueller-Stahl is riveting as the Devil's advocate, a snobbish Archbishop who feels that the only legitimate qualification for sainthood is martyrdom and unknowingly holds the key to a mystery. The one weak link is Heche's character, an incidental hanger-on, but this is the fault of poor writing, rather than a bad performance.
Very well done.
Unlike other recent "religious" movies that dealt (badly) with secret cabals within the Catholic Church and evil in apocalyptic proportions (Stigmata, End of Days), or were iconoclastic satirical "exposes" (Dogma) religion is almost a cursory concern in Miracle. Character development is the saving grace if you will of this film. Shying away from special effects and dramatic action shots, the film focuses on the personal struggles that most people go through regardless of the source, be it personal development, career goals or faith. The performances are reflective of this.
Harris, known for his stoic, macho (read stale) characters took a risk with this role as a confused, vulnerable priest. It proved to be a wise decision, as he delivers what is arguably the finest performance of his career. Charles Haid is repugnant as a narcissistic Bishop, more concerned with cocktail parties and schmoozing with politicians, than he is with spiritual purity. Armin Mueller-Stahl is riveting as the Devil's advocate, a snobbish Archbishop who feels that the only legitimate qualification for sainthood is martyrdom and unknowingly holds the key to a mystery. The one weak link is Heche's character, an incidental hanger-on, but this is the fault of poor writing, rather than a bad performance.
Very well done.