Film Overview"The Third Miracle" is a 1999 drama-mystery movie directed by Agnieszka Holland and starring Ed Harris, Anne Heche, and Armin Mueller-Stahl. The movie script, written by John Romano and Richard Vetere, is based upon Vetere's novel of the exact same name. This film is a highly textured, contemplative expedition of faith, doubt, and the human quest for fact.
Plot Summary"The Third Miracle" chronicles the struggle of Father Frank Shore (Ed Harris), a disillusioned and tormented postulator, working for the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints in the Catholic Church. He is charged with investigating the life of a prospect for sainthood, particularly, a lady, 'Helen O'Regan' (Barbara Sukowa), who had dedicated her life to assisting the poor and disadvantaged in Chicago, and passed away twenty years earlier. Two miracles have been attributed to her intercession, and a 3rd is needed to continue with the canonization procedure.
The film explores Shore's individual struggle with faith, as he battles inner demons and the haunting memory of a previous case where he wrongly suggested a candidate for sainthood. This inner struggle is even more made complex when Shore encounters Roxane (Anne Heche), the impassive and hesitant child of Helen, and finds himself attracted to her.
The Investigation and StruggleAs Shore examines, he finds Helen's profound impact and the lives she touched, as revealed by the miracles carried out after her death. One miracle involves a statue of the Virgin Mary that reportedly weeps Helen's blood, and a young girl with lupus is astonishingly recovered after hoping at Helen's grave.
Despite the engaging proof, Shore finds himself up versus the doubtful church hierarchy personified by Archbishop Werner (Armin Mueller-Stahl), who is suspicious of the 'low-cost techniques' performed to increase faith. The archbishop refutes Helen's canonization, presenting proof of her disobediences, including an invalid child and claims she lost her faith near the end of her life.
Conclusion and the Final MiracleRegardless of his sexual temptation with Roxane and the mounting intricacies of his examination, Shore remains unfaltering and dedicated to discovering the truth about Helen's life. Eventually, he promotes for Helen during the tribunal's proceedings, providing an enthusiastic speech about her virtues and the wonders. Regardless of dealing with stiff opposition and questioning his own faith, Shore remains dedicated to showing Helen's sainthood.
In the film's climax, the third miracle happens, one that involves Helen's daughter Roxane. Detected with a lethal heart condition and offered only days to live, Roxane survives, associating her survival to her mom's intervention. This healing and personal transformation, witnessed by Shore, is accepted as the third miracle, verifying Helen's sainthood.
Last Thoughts"The Third Miracle" features an engaging story with deeply human characters, each wrestling with their faith. The movie challenges the audience to examine their beliefs and think about the nature of wonders. Not just a tale about confirming sainthood, "The Third Miracle" is likewise about discovering function, reconnecting with faith, and experiencing individual redemption. The performances of Harris, Heche, and Mueller-Stahl include depth and authenticity to this spiritual journey.
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