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Perfectly adorable

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Blistering performances.

Well, I don't know which rate to give this film. It may just not be my kind of movie, or maybe it is and it's really really boring. First, the story runs too fast since the beginning, but the plot isn't engaging or involving enough to make you pay attention. And there are random things like that guy masturbating in bed in the very first minutes, what was that for? Second, the priest is annoyingly indecisive; in one scene he implicitly states the doesn't believe in his religion, then in the next scene he's already praying? As if people changed their mind about religion that quickly in real life... And what about that 'saint'? She looked more like a witch to me. And I didn't even make it to the end to know if she was accepted as a saint or not. Don't even bother if you don't have much interest in religion.

Ed Harris and Anne Heche display fabulous performances in The Third Miracle, and this, instead of the plot and storyline, made the movie. What the film and possibly Catholic dogmatics err on is their failure to acknowledge the very scriptural definition of "faith" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith should not at all be based on signs and miracles, even though Jesus and God often employed visible miracles. However, miracles are employed not to bring faith, but to authenticate divinity before unbelievers. Faith only comes from hearing God's Word, sharing in the Eucarist and baptism. The film fails grossly in separating the true meaning of faith and miracles.Aside from erroneous Christian dogmatics, the film and research team failed to get their facts straight on the events that occurred in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia in 1944. Banska Bystrica was controlled only by the Slovak Army throughout 1944. The German Army only occupied Banska Bystrica in October 1944 after they crushed the Slovak National Uprising whose headquarters was in Banska Bystrica. The German Air Force bombed Banska Bystrica between September and October 1944. The Americans never bombed Banska Bystrica in 1944. In fact, the Americans flew in to an airport just south of Banska Bystrica (Tri Duby) several B-17 fortresses with war matériel in support of the insurgent Slovak Army during the Slovak National Uprising in September and October 1944. On August 20, 1944, the 15th USAF flew bombing missions over Banska Bystrica to bomb an oil refinery at Dubová just 20 km NE of Banska Bystrica, but never dropped bombs on Banska Bystrica. (See http://www.muzeumsnp.sk/WWW-USA-nov%E1/USA-GB-oprava.htm for greater detail.) Banska Bystrica was finally liberated from Nazi control in March 1945, and if there was any bombing of Banska Bystrica in 1945, it was performed by the Soviet Air Force.

For a non-practising protestant this film poses somewhat of a mystery. Its well directed, the acting is good, and the filming is sensitive and beautiful. The script however leaves me more or less clueless. The plot is basicly about a catholic priest who is assigned to test the possible sainthood of a recently deceased lady credited with two miracles. During the investigation he has has to face his own fears and doubts about his faith plus a various selection of earthly temptations. Surprisingly the film seems to side with the whole catholic idea of sainthood, celibacy and a priesthood living their lives under the oath of obedience. This seems to be something as rare as a modern religious missionating movie. The films other qualities makes it recommendable even to a non religious audience, but i think you have to be catholic to truly appreciate the script.

This movie is intriguing for those of us who enjoy delving into the spiritual world with a back-story involving love. The need to have proof to revitalize faith lost is a common dilemma for most of us. Frank Moore, a disillusioned priest, is on a mission to prove something to himself as he investigates a marble statue crying tears of blood in the courtyard of a convent. Ed Harris does a great job portraying a down and out Catholic priest who is uncertain and wavering in his deep seeded religious values and beliefs as he investigates consideration for the sainthood of Helen O'Regan. Frank is attracted to Helen's daughter, Roxanne (Anne Heche), which further complicates or enhanced his life, depending on your point of view. I found the glimpse into the hierarchy of Catholicism enlightening, as well. If you enjoy a spiritual quest for answers to prove the unseen, with a dash of love intertwined, you will enjoy the movie. I had a different idea for the ending but other than that, I enjoyed the movie and recommend it to others.