It's a Christian drama of grace from unexpected sources set in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1993 to 1994. It follows the intersection of two persons facing enormous difficulties in their lives. Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson) is a roofer whose wife, Theresa (Amy Acker), has just died of a rare disease, leaving two daughters. Ashley (Skywalker Hughes) is eight, and Michelle (Emily Mitchell) is five and suffers from a rare liver disease, which means she needs a liver transplant as soon as possible.
Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) is an alcoholic hairdresser with financial skills and a persuasive way of promotion who learns of Michelle's plight at Theresa's funeral.
The film follows Sharon's efforts to raise money and awareness for Michelle's potential transplant, often against Ed's better judgment. She also reckons with her alcohol problem.
"Ordinary Angels" is an emotionally manipulative movie, but it's done quite well. Swank and Ritchson play well off each other, and Emily Mitchell is an adorable Michelle. The Christian angle hovers in the background but does not dominate. Some obstacles Sharon and Ed faced stretch credulity, and later fact-checking finds the film took many liberties. In reality, Sharon did not have alcoholism, she was not estranged from her son, and she did fundraising with the support of her church. The 1994 winter storm in Louisville was real, but Ed did not drive into the storm with Michelle. Hichelle's grandmother took her two blocks to the helicopter, which took off in daylight in mostly clear skies.
So it's a good story, but only believe some of what you see.
Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) is an alcoholic hairdresser with financial skills and a persuasive way of promotion who learns of Michelle's plight at Theresa's funeral.
The film follows Sharon's efforts to raise money and awareness for Michelle's potential transplant, often against Ed's better judgment. She also reckons with her alcohol problem.
"Ordinary Angels" is an emotionally manipulative movie, but it's done quite well. Swank and Ritchson play well off each other, and Emily Mitchell is an adorable Michelle. The Christian angle hovers in the background but does not dominate. Some obstacles Sharon and Ed faced stretch credulity, and later fact-checking finds the film took many liberties. In reality, Sharon did not have alcoholism, she was not estranged from her son, and she did fundraising with the support of her church. The 1994 winter storm in Louisville was real, but Ed did not drive into the storm with Michelle. Hichelle's grandmother took her two blocks to the helicopter, which took off in daylight in mostly clear skies.
So it's a good story, but only believe some of what you see.