Rating: 
Summary: More To It Than Miracles
Review: Father Frank Shore is a priest who is experiencing that dark time of the soul when his religious belief seems very fragile. He is now given the task of investigating the life of a devout Catholic woman whose death has seemingly been followed by miracles that include a bleeding statute. Actually the Bishop is relying on Father Shore's reputation as a miracle killer, hoping that he will find evidence to scuttle Helen O'Regan's bid for sainthood. Mrs. O'Regan's daughter does not support the cause, and in due time she and Father Shore develop a romantic interest in each other. Fortunately this part of the plot does not intrude unduly into the process of investigating the case. What is strange about this movie is the pre-eminence given to the assessment of miracles. Little time seems to be spent on examining the life of the woman being considered for possible sainthood. Other than the issue of her possible abandonment of her daughter, we are presented only with a few comments about her work with parish children, and a glimpse of the humble room in which she lived. A brief video of her playing with the kiddies seems sufficient to pass judgment on her life. One would assume that every facet of her life would be examined in order to properly assess whether she lived a life of "heroic virtue." Instead most everything focuses on the miracles. The movie also portrays a view of the bureaucracy of the church. The diocesan offices rival those of an uptown law firm. We see the luxury of an in-office bar; the fine, regal apparel of the bishops and cardinals; the limousine; the luxurious bedroom suite; the short temper when dealing with underlings. All these are presented to impress on us the elaborate structure humans have built around the simple beliefs of a humble carpenter. Perhaps, the movie would seem to say, the simple life of a devout woman is more what Jesus had in mind when he preached his gospel.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes, miracles do happen!
Review: I am a Roman Catholic and I understand the whole, lengthy and deeply exhausting investigative process surrounding beatification and canonization. I also know that non Catholics and non Christians don't understand it and may even think that the Church arbitrarily elevates anyone it wants to Sainthoood. This film, "The Third Miracle", does a fairly good job exploring the canonization process in a feature film. Granted, times and themes have changed since "The Song Of Bernadette" won the Best Film Oscar in 1944 exploring the "Marian Miracle" theme, but it is reassuring that this type of screenplay still makes for a moving and haunting film. Sadly, the film did not get a lot of promotion or ballyoo even though it was marvelously produced, had high production values and featured superb performances by Ed Harris, Anne Heche and a host of other notable supportng players. Ed Harris is truly one of the screens most riveting actors and even his smaller screen parts are unforgettable for their realism, intensity and strength. Anne Heche is perfect as the wayward, doubting daughter especially in her meetings with Father Shore. My only criticisms, and they are mild, involve the smoking, drinking clergy portrayed and their seeming love of socializing and the "good life". Also, the ending was too unexplained and it left you somewhat dangling as to how Roxanne acquired her child. Was she married? To whom? Was the child adopted? Where was the husband? It would seem that Father Shore and Roxanne would have had something more profound to say to one another after such an emotional and harrowing experience. In summation, many believers and non believers, those of strong faith and those who have doubts about their beliefs, will take something different away from this film. I would only add that we will never understand God's ways. To those who believe no proof is necessary. To those who don't, all the proof in the world is irrelevant. Dick Bobnick
Rating:
Summary: Yes, miracles do happen!
Review: I am a Roman Catholic and I understand the whole, lengthy and deeply exhausting investigative process surrounding beatification and canonization. I also know that non Catholics and non Christians don't understand it and may even think that the Church arbitrarily elevates anyone it wants to Sainthoood. This film, "The Third Miracle", does a fairly good job exploring the canonization process in a feature film. Granted, times and themes have changed since "The Song Of Bernadette" won the Best Film Oscar in 1944 exploring the "Marian Miracle" theme, but it is reassuring that this type of screenplay still makes for a moving and haunting film. Sadly, the film did not get a lot of promotion or ballyoo even though it was marvelously produced, had high production values and featured superb performances by Ed Harris, Anne Heche and a host of other notable supportng players. Ed Harris is truly one of the screens most riveting actors and even his smaller screen parts are unforgettable for their realism, intensity and strength. Anne Heche is perfect as the wayward, doubting daughter especially in her meetings with Father Shore. My only criticisms, and they are mild, involve the smoking, drinking clergy portrayed and their seeming love of socializing and the "good life". Also, the ending was too unexplained and it left you somewhat dangling as to how Roxanne acquired her child. Was she married? To whom? Was the child adopted? Where was the husband? It would seem that Father Shore and Roxanne would have had something more profound to say to one another after such an emotional and harrowing experience. In summation, many believers and non believers, those of strong faith and those who have doubts about their beliefs, will take something different away from this film. I would only add that we will never understand God's ways. To those who believe no proof is necessary. To those who don't, all the proof in the world is irrelevant. Dick Bobnick
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking
Review: I can't quite get a handle on Agnieszka Holland. I've seen at least some of the more popular work she's produced, "Europa, Europa," "The Secret Garden." What--if anything--they have in common, I may have to leave up to future scholars to tell me. Well, I can say this much, her films are certainly provocative, regardless of how well or poorly they otherwise hang together as an oeuvre. "The Third Miracle" is a remarkable film. Well worth viewing and then viewing again. Its treatment of the meaning of the miraculous in these post-modern times is neither heavy handed nor overly cynical. Much of the credit goes to a solid cast, including Ed Harris in his best role in years and Anne Heche. German actress Barbara Sukowa appears in flashback and Hill Street alumnus Charles Haid pops up as a skeptical cardinal who's all business. Armin Mueller-Stahl chews the scenery once again, which seems oddly appropriate here. The film is not devoid of cliche, but overall, it is a smart, stimulating and well acted effort. I suspect that it could have been marketed more effectively--which is not to say that it was ever hit material. Certainly worth seeking out.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I miss something?
Review: I was intrigued throughout most of this movie and, like everyone else, appreciated the "ah ha" moment near the end; but, I think I missed something at the very end. I turned my head to pour myself a drink (looking very forward to seeing how this whole plot would come together) and when I looked back, the credits were rolling! I rewound the movie to see what I missed and still can't figure out what we're supposed to surmise. I would give this a 5 star rating if there had been at least another minute or two to let us know the ending!
Rating:
Summary: Ambiguous and Provocative
Review: Made by a Polish director Agnieszka Holland, whose work is always controversial and often not accepted well by the American critics, this is not your typical Hollywood movie. It will be appreciated by people who feel that not all the answers can be found on a therapist's couch and who don't mind deliberate ambiguity of her work, which is designed to raise important questions that may be different for different viewers. The answers we should find within ourselves.
Although it is definitely a "Catholic Movie" and the Catholic theme is presented honestly and impartially, the movie rises above just one particular religion (Agnieszka Holland wrote and directed an acclaimed holocaust movie "Europa, Europa" which was denied German Oscar Committee nomination under quite bizarre circumstances. It's available in German with English subtitles).
Those who panic each time they come across ideas that touch that extra dimension within themselves that some call faith or spirituality and others just live with without giving a name, will find this movie weird and annoying. And in fact, this is the first question this movie raises: why do we have this need for the spiritual? What is faith and how much or little of it one needs?
Do you have to take the miracles literally? Do you believe that everything that happens in "The Wizard of Oz" can actually happen?
Of course not, but it creates an appropriate setting for investigation of some fundamental questions.
Some of the questions: where is the line between good and evil and even more important: is there a line? Where does this saint-to-be fall on the spectrum between good and evil? But then there is an answer: it really doesn't matter whether she is good or not in our understanding, because "It's God who makes the saints, not us". This woman has some special connection, but why? Her miracles are almost worthless. "If you ask me, God wasted a miracle" says the mother of a saved girl who grew up to became a junkie and a prostitute. "God loves the sinner." Do we really understand what that means?
Another miracle happens during WWII. "What is the point of saving one family when millions, millions died?" asks one of the tribunal judges. Saved by the miracle are a gypsy girl, a Catholic priest and a wounded German soldier. Hmm...
The plot is deeper than that, but I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie.
The WWII theme is extremely important and is a glue that holds it all together, though it takes only about 5 minutes of the whole film. Why is it so important? Is it because without evil there won't be good?
Ed Harris is outstanding as Father Shore. A complex character that will require a separate review. Frank Shore is a man who probably would have made a better cop than a priest (he was raised by his cop father after all). He didn't really choose to become a priest. God chose him. Oh, you really have to see Ed Harris in this role.
Anne Heche is colorful and very believable as the woman's daughter. Some reviewers complain about intimate scenes between Father Shore and Roxanne. But how else would you appreciate the totality of their sacrifice without almost physically experiencing the totality of their attraction. I can't even call what was between them love. It was some fatalistic attraction of two abandoned souls. All these scenes are done in good taste. They never consummated their relationship and I don't see what there is to be upset about. Absolutely beautiful scene: they dance on the grave of her mother with a bottle of vodka. You have to see this.
Another amazing scene in the beginning when the daughter watches with intense emotion the video of her mother happily playing with the kids at the orphanage. It's visibly painful for her because this is the same mother who had abandoned her as a teenager, causing a lot of pain and a sense of rejection. Frank Shore, on the other hand, sees the same scene with the eyes of a motherless boy. For him, this woman is love.
Is Roxanne the other side of her mother? Not a saint, not even a believer, she produces her own miracle, a miracle of a different kind. In fact, there are more than 3 miracles in this movie and anybody can argue which one is the third. I think the fact that there are film makers out there who ignore the Hollywood proven recipe for box office success and make movies that are different is a little miracle by itself.
What does it all mean? There are things that are better not understood. Like in a beautiful verse, you will find new meaning each time you read it.
Of course in the end the answer is: "God wastes no miracle". And though the movie has a "happy ending" it doesn't leave you with the sense of a compromise, but rather bewildered and astonished.
Armin Mueller-Stahl, who plays "the devil's advocate" during the tribunal hearings needs to be mentioned as an outstanding actor. But there are so many gems in this movie that it just needs to be seen.
Rating:
Summary: I thought the baby was the 3rd miracle too!
Review: My movie-type,wishful thinking of the miraculous would have been to have the 3rd miracle be the birth of Roxanne's baby girl from the unconsummated union between Father Shore and Roxanne. I see there's one other wishful Amazonite out there who agrees. Yeah, that would have been a great line "She has your eyes." Then his mouth dropping open, with a very appropriate rejoinder of "Oh, my God!" But try explaining "that" miracle to the church committee! But as another viewer said the unmentioned and understated 3rd miracle could well be Father's Shore recovered faith and Roxanne's ability to love again and have her own miracle from God, a child for her to "never abandon." Though I was a bit confused, supposedly the 1st miracle is the little gypsy girl's prayer (Roxanne's mother) stopping the bomb from landing, the 2nd being that twisted/crippled young man straightening out, and 3rd being Roxanne's mother (when older) bringing the druggy teen back from near death at the hospital. And by the way, who was that grief-stricken lady, being consoled by Father Shore, at the teen's death bed? The drunk, abusive mother who used to burn her little daughter with cigarettes?! Or was that twisted young man a hoax? I didn't get that scene in the resturant with him and his mother, who were working there. Why were they so non-committal, because it was a hoax or because Father Shore was known as the "miracle killer?" And what was the incident that caused Father Shore to lose his faith and be named "the miracle killer?" The details are never mentioned. That's what kept me from rating this 5 stars.......too many frustrating, unaswered questions for a movie to be satisfactory in the end. Email me with any comments about this movie. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Attack on Catholic Church
Review: The performances of this film are excellent. Ed Harris hits such diverse levels as the Catholic priest questioning his faith. Anne Heche has nice orange hair, deep blue eyes, and looks marvelous. The cinematography is excellent with the darker interior scenes and the flashbacks with their blue tones. The DVD does not offer a lot of extra materials unless you'd like to have language subtitles. Two things about this picture bothered me. The first is the attack on the Catholic church. One person commented that this is the church that "exonerates pedofiles and questions miracles." However, I think one must distinguish between the group religion and real religion which is personal and lives within the individual believer. Harris does a masterful job of showing this conflict. But it is the group attack that turned me off. The film's point of view seems to assume that the group should work with the speed of the individual. The velocities are quite different; so I found this an unaffair attack upon an easy target. The second problem I had was that the film didn't seem to go anywhere. For me, the film fizzles at the end. We go for a long time on the story then hit the "1 year later" cut and finally the "3 years later" cut. This seemed to mute the ending rather than build to one. This was not an episodic tale; so a climax would have been nice. Of all the Amazon reviewers, I guess I'm the only one who wondered if that was the priest's baby that Heche brings in the last scene. It would have been more interesting if she'd said something like, "She has your eyes." Although this film doesn't quite work, it's still interesting enough to spend some time with. Pictures dealing with faith are few and far between & to be cherished when they do come along.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Attack on Catholic Church
Review: The performances of this film are excellent. Ed Harris hits such diverse levels as the Catholic priest questioning his faith. Anne Heche has nice orange hair, deep blue eyes, and looks marvelous. The cinematography is excellent with the darker interior scenes and the flashbacks with their blue tones. The DVD does not offer a lot of extra materials unless you'd like to have language subtitles. Two things about this picture bothered me. The first is the attack on the Catholic church. One person commented that this is the church that "exonerates pedofiles and questions miracles." However, I think one must distinguish between the group religion and real religion which is personal and lives within the individual believer. Harris does a masterful job of showing this conflict. But it is the group attack that turned me off. The film's point of view seems to assume that the group should work with the speed of the individual. The velocities are quite different; so I found this an unaffair attack upon an easy target. The second problem I had was that the film didn't seem to go anywhere. For me, the film fizzles at the end. We go for a long time on the story then hit the "1 year later" cut and finally the "3 years later" cut. This seemed to mute the ending rather than build to one. This was not an episodic tale; so a climax would have been nice. Of all the Amazon reviewers, I guess I'm the only one who wondered if that was the priest's baby that Heche brings in the last scene. It would have been more interesting if she'd said something like, "She has your eyes." Although this film doesn't quite work, it's still interesting enough to spend some time with. Pictures dealing with faith are few and far between & to be cherished when they do come along.
Rating:
Summary: Miracle of Miracles
Review: The process of "making" a saint is an unusual topic for a film and Agnieszka Holland makes the most of it by bringing it down to the human level in "The Third Miracle." And Ms. Holland is very lucky indeed to have two of the finest actors as her humans: Ed Harris and Anne Heche. Harris plays a priest whose job it is to verify the "saintability" of Heche's mother. There are several plot lines swirling around in the film including Harris' committment or lack thereof to his religion, the miracles themselves and who they happen to as well as the process of making someone a saint. What sets "The Third Miracle" apart and above most films is the manner in which the relationships are scripted. A script is the backbone of any film and the words are its'fingers and toes. "The Third Miracle" is an extremely hearfelt movie and an obvious labor of love to all involved. Order it NOW.
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