There Is Hope! “MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN”

Release Date: March 4, 2016

Running Time: 1 hour 49 minutes

Directed by: Patricia Riggen

Rated PG for thematic material, including accident and medical images

Grade B

I’m not leaving this hospital until I know what’s wrong with my little girl! ~ Christy Beam

 Miracles from Heaven tells the true story of a Annabel Beam, a bright and wise five year old girl who developed a rare digestive disorder which caused severe pain and extreme bloating after eating. Before she was properly diagnosed, Anna was told she was allergic to dairy, among other things. Thanks to her mother’s perseverance, Anna finally received a diagnosis of antral hypomotility and pseudo-obstruction motility disorders, which is an incurable form of gastroparesis. She spent years in and out of hospitals. Miracles from Heaven tells Anna’s story along with her near-death experience and visit to heaven after falling 30 feet into a hollow tree. Not only is Anna unscathed after lying unconscious in the tree for hours, with rescue workers struggling to get to her, she defies science and is inexplicably healed of her crippling condition.

“We’re not giving up.” ~ Christy Beam

Miracles from Heaven is a remarkable true story of faith and blessings. The film stars the talented Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam, a mother who never gives up and takes her daughter to see doctor Samuel Nurko at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Nurko is the world’s leading expert on motility and gastrointestinal issues. Relative newcomer Kylie Rogers portrays young Annabel who is wise beyond her years. She has the poise and grace that you don’t often see in an actress that young. The Christian drama weaves humor throughout thanks to Dr. Nurko, perfectly represented by Mexican

actor Eugenio Derbez. I loved his performance and thought how lucky Anna was to have a doctor with such fantastic people skills. In addition, Queen Latifah also brought comic relief to an otherwise intense and serious film. It was also great to see Martin Henderson (Everest and Off the Map) as Anna’s calm and loving father. Despite the diagnosis and complications, he remained the family’s rock.

Randy Brown did an excellent job adapting the screenplay from Christy Beam’s book and director Patricia Riggen brought it all together.   Filmed mostly in Atlanta, Miracles from Heaven arrives in theaters just in time for the Easter season. ~A.S. MacLeod

Starring:

Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam

Kylie Rogers as Anna Beam

Martin Henderson as Kevin Beam

Queen Latifah as Angela

Eugenio Derbez as Dr. Nurko

Brighton Sharbino as Abbie Beam

Courtney Fansler as Adelynn Beam

John Carroll Lynch as Pastor Scott