Miracles from Heaven
{{short description|2016 Christian drama film by Patricia Riggen}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Miracles from Heaven
| image = Miracles from Heaven poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Patricia Riggen
| producer = {{plainlist|
}}
| writer = Randy Brown
| based_on = {{based on|Miracles from Heaven|Christy Beam}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
}}
| music = Carlo Siliotto
| cinematography = Checco Varese
| editing = Emma E. Hickox
| studio = {{plainlist|
- Columbia Pictures
- Affirm Films
- Roth Films
- TDJ Enterprises
- Franklin Entertainment
}}
| distributor = Sony Pictures Releasing
| released = {{Film date|2016|2|21|Dallas|2016|3|16|United States}}
| runtime = 109 minutes{{cite web | url=https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/miracles-from-heaven | title=AMC Theatres: Miracles from Heaven | publisher=AMC Theatres | access-date=February 24, 2016}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $14 million{{cite web|last1=Lang|first1=Brent|title=Box Office: 'Allegiant' Opening Falling Short of Other 'Divergent' Films|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/box-office-allegiant-divergent-1201730485/|work=Variety |date=16 March 2016 |access-date=March 16, 2016}}
| gross = $74 million{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=miraclesfromheaven.htm |title=Miracles from Heaven (2016) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=November 18, 2016}}
}}
Miracles from Heaven is a 2016 American Christian drama film directed by Patricia Riggen and written by Randy Brown. It is based on the book of the same name by Christy Beam, which recounts the true story of her young daughter who had a near-death experience and was later cured of an incurable disease.{{cite web |url=https://thriving.childrenshospital.org/annabels-journey-power-hope-healing/ |title=Annabel's journey: The story behind the movie 'Miracles from Heaven' |last=McCarthy |first=Maureen |date=March 14, 2016 |website=Thriving |publisher=Boston Children's Hospital |access-date=February 3, 2021 |quote=}} The film stars Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, John Carroll Lynch, Eugenio Derbez, and Queen Latifah. Principal photography began in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 2015. The film was released on March 16, 2016. The movie was financially successful, becoming the 8th highest-grossing Christian film in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=christian.htm|title=Christian Movies at the Box Office|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 23, 2019}} Although critical reception was mixed, Garner's performance earned general praise.
Plot
The film is based on a true story set in Burleson, Texas between 2007 and 2011.
Christy and Kevin Beam live with their three daughters Abby, Anna, and Adelynn and are active in their local church. One day, Anna starts repeatedly vomiting and is taken to see a doctor who cannot find anything abnormal, suggesting lactose intolerance. However, on March 20, 2008, things only get worse when Anna begins feeling intense stomach pain in the middle of the night. Her parents take her to the hospital, but doctors find no signs of illness, saying it is likely acid reflux but Christy is incredulous.
The following morning, a pediatrician in the hospital is able to diagnose Anna with an abdominal obstruction, and he tells them he must operate immediately or she will die. After emergency surgery, the doctor explains that Anna has been left with intestinal pseudo-obstruction and she is unable to eat, so feeding tubes are needed for her nutrition. The doctor then tells the Beams about America's foremost pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Samuel Nurko in Boston, but explains it could take months for them to be seen.
While Kevin tries to remain faithful, Christy begins growing uneasy and refuses to go to church after some members of the congregation suggest she asks God if the family committed a sin that may have caused Anna's disorder.
Desperate to get her daughter help, Christy takes Anna to Boston Children's Hospital in January 2009, but are denied due to the lack of an appointment. After spending a day with Massachusetts resident Angela Bradford, who takes them on a tour around the city and takes them to the aquarium which is really monumental for Anna as she missed a school trip to the aquarium due to her illness, she learns from a receptionist that Dr. Nurko has a last-minute opening.
After examining Anna, Dr. Nurko shares with Christy the extent of her chronic illness. After returning home, Christy explains to Kevin she is worried about the costs of treatment. While trying to reassure her, he is shocked when Christy admits she lost her faith and cannot even pray. Her church's pastor explains that although Anna is suffering it does not mean God does not love her, and that trying to get close to him feels better than doing it all by yourself.
While Anna goes through extensive treatment, she shares a room with Hayley who has terminal cancer. Hayley asks about her cross necklace, and she explains that it reminds her that Jesus is always with her and gives it to her. Later Hayley tells her father Ben she is not afraid to die. However, Anna shows signs of depression, tearfully telling her mom that she wants to die and be with God. But she is later cheered up with a surprise visit from her dad and sisters.
After returning home Anna and Abbie climb up to a very high branch of an old cottonwood tree. While they are standing on the branch, it begins to break. Anna goes to the trunk for safety, when, as she leans on it, she falls into the hollowed-out center of the base of the tree.
While firefighters work to get Anna out, Christy and her family gather near the base of the tree and pray together. After Anna is taken out of the tree and airlifted to the hospital, Christy and Kevin are shocked to learn that not only did she survive but she also suffered no serious injuries, only a minor concussion.
Sometime after the fall, Anna seems to no longer be affected by her illness. She tells her parents that while in the tree, she saw heaven and spoke to God. She said he told her she would be healed. After meeting with Dr. Nurko one last time, he tells her she is better and that this is goodbye.
At church, Christy shares the story of how God miraculously healed her daughter with his love and how she missed miracles unfolding around her the whole time. However, two of the congregation members say they do not believe her. Ben, who has traveled from Boston upon hearing the story about Anna, believes her. He also shares that Haley died peacefully as Anna gave her faith when in the hospital.
The Beam family then spends some quality time together eating pizza for the first time since Anna got sick. Christy says in a narration that every day is a miracle.
The film ends with clips of the real Beam family where Anna says she has not been sick since and is now a healthy seventh grader.
Cast
- Kylie Rogers as Anna Beam
- Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam, Anna's mother
- Martin Henderson as Dr. Kevin Beam, Christy's husband and Anna's father
- Eugenio Derbez as Dr. Samuel Nurko, a pediatric gastroenterologist who is Anna's doctor at the Boston Children's Hospital.
- Queen Latifah as Angela, a waitress who befriends Anna and her mother in a restaurant in Boston
- Brighton Sharbino as Abbie Beam, the oldest Beam daughter
- Courtney Fansler as Adelynn Beam, the youngest Beam daughter
- Zach Sale as Dr. Blyth, the first doctor to listen to Christy about her sick daughter
- Kelly Collins Lintz as Emmy, a family friend of the Beams
- John Carroll Lynch as Reverend Scott, the senior pastor of the Beam family's church
- Brandon Spink as Billy Snyder, a friend of Anna
- Hannah Alligood as Haley, a cancer patient who becomes friends with Anna and later dies offscreen
- Wayne Péré as Ben, Haley's father
- Bruce Altman as Dr. Burgi, Anna's doctor who is the head of the pediatric division at the hospital in Texas
- Suehyla El-Attar as a receptionist at the Boston Children's hospital
The real Beam family makes a cameo at the end of the film before the credits.
Production
On November 10, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Sony Pictures Entertainment had acquired the film adaptation rights to a faith-based memoir, Miracles From Heaven: A Little Girl, Her Journey to Heaven, and Her Amazing Story of Healing, written by Christy Beam, and hired Randy Brown to write the script.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Heaven Is for Real' Producers Reteam for Sony's 'Miracles From Heaven' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/heaven-is-real-producers-reteam-747889|access-date=July 15, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 10, 2014}} The team behind the studios' 2014 Christian film Heaven Is for Real, T. D. Jakes and Joe Roth, were retained to produce the film along with DeVon Franklin.
On April 8, 2015, the studio hired Patricia Riggen to direct the film.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Sony's 'Miracles From Heaven' Adaptation Finds Director (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sonys-miracles-heaven-adaptation-finds-787329|access-date=July 15, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 8, 2015}} On April 30, 2015, Jennifer Garner was cast to star in the film as Christy Beam.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Jennifer Garner to Star in 'Miracles From Heaven' for Sony (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jennifer-garner-miracles-from-heaven-christian-faith-based-1201484873/|access-date=July 15, 2015|work=Variety|date=April 30, 2015}} On June 22, 2015, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Queen Latifah was cast as a waitress who befriends Anna and Beam at the Boston Children's Hospital.{{cite news|last1=Siegel|first1=Tatiana|last2=Kit|first2=Borys|title=Queen Latifah to Star in Sony's 'Miracles From Heaven' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/queen-latifah-star-sonys-miracles-804097|access-date=July 15, 2015|work= The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 22, 2015}} On the same day, Variety confirmed the casting of Martin Henderson to play the girl's father and Beam's husband.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Martin Henderson Joins Jennifer Garner in 'Miracles From Heaven' |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/martin-henderson-miracles-from-heaven-1201525149/|access-date=July 15, 2015|work=Variety |date=June 22, 2015}}
On June 29, 2015, Kylie Rogers was cast as Beam's sick daughter Anna.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Whispers' Actress Joins Jennifer Garner in 'Miracles from Heaven' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/whispers-actress-joins-jennifer-garner-805737|access-date=July 19, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=June 29, 2015}} On July 17, 2015, Eugenio Derbez was cast to play a character inspired by Children's Hospital specialist Dr. Samuel Nurko, an American-based Mexican pediatric gastroenterologist who eases his young patients' treatment by playing games with them.{{cite news|last1=Hopewell|first1=John|title=Platino Awards: Eugenio Derbez Joins 'Miracles From Heaven'|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/global/eugenio-derbez-miracles-from-heaven-1201543011/|access-date=July 19, 2015|work=Variety |date=July 17, 2015}} John Carroll Lynch was also cast in the film as the pastor.{{cite news|title=MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN Starring Jennifer Garner, Martin Henderson, Kylie Rogers, Eugenio Derbez & Queen Latifah Begins Filming in Atlanta|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miracles-from-heaven-starring-jennifer-garner-martin-henderson-kylie-rogers-eugenio-derbez--queen-latifah-begins-filming-in-atlanta-300114203.html|access-date=July 19, 2015|publisher=PR Newswire|date=July 17, 2015}}
= Filming =
Principal photography on the film began in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 2015.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} David R. Sandefur and Emma E. Hickox were appointed as production designer and editor, respectively.{{cite news|title=On the Set for 7/13/15: Jennifer Garner Begins Shooting Miracles from Heaven, Michael Bay Wraps 13 Hours & Doug Liman Calls Cut on Mena|url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-71315-jennifer-garner-begins-shooting-miracles-from-heaven-michael-bay-wraps-13-hours-doug-liman-calls-cut-on-mena/|access-date=July 14, 2015|publisher=ssninsider.com|date=July 13, 2015}} On August 2, 2015, Latifah and Garner were spotted on the set of film in Atlanta.{{cite news|title=Queen Latifah and Jennifer Garner on the Miracles from Heaven Set|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/467823-queen-latifah-and-jennifer-garner-on-the-miracles-from-heaven-set|access-date=August 4, 2015|publisher=comingsoon.net|date=August 2, 2015}}
Soundtrack
The Miracles from Heaven soundtrack features songs from Howie Day, George Harrison, Clayton Anderson, Third Day and others.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4257926/soundtrack|title=Miracles from Heaven|date=16 March 2016|publisher=IMDb |access-date=9 June 2016}} The southern Christian rock band Third Day made a cameo as the church worship band.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/miracles-heaven-film-review-872330|title='Miracles From Heaven': Film Review|date=15 March 2016 |publisher=IMDb|access-date=9 June 2016}}
{{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline =
| extra_column =
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music =
| title1 = Soul on Fire
| music1 = Third Day
| length1 =
| title2 = Right Where I Belong
| music2 = Clayton Anderson
| length2 =
| title3 = Collide
| music3 = Howie Day
| length3 =4:09
| title4 = Your Words
| music4 = Third Day
| length4 =
| title5 = Here Comes the Sun
| music5 = Cam
| length5 =3:06
}}
Release
On May 11, 2015, the film was scheduled for a March 18, 2016 release by Columbia Pictures. On January 10, it was moved up two days later to March 16.{{cite news|last1=Busch|first1=Anita|title='Miracles From Heaven' To Release In Time For Easter From Sony|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/miracles-from-heaven-to-release-in-time-for-easter-from-sony-1201424860/|access-date=July 15, 2015|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 11, 2015}} The film held its world premiere on February 21, 2016, in Dallas, Texas.{{cite news|last1=Atlas|first1=Darla|title=Jennifer Garner Opens Up About Faith and Family Following the Premiere of Miracles from Heaven|url=http://people.com/movies/jennifer-garner-talks-faith-and-family-after-miracles-from-heaven-premiere/|access-date=October 13, 2017|publisher=People.com|date=February 22, 2016}}
=Home media=
Miracles from Heaven was released on Digital Media on June 21, 2016, and was followed by a DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD release on July 12, 2016, from AFFIRM Films and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.[http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=3521 Miracles From Heaven Coming Soon on Home Media] Christian Cinema, May 24, 2016{{cite news|title=July 12, 2016: This Week on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/701635-july-12-2016-dvd-blu#/slide/1|author=Silas Lesnick|access-date=July 12, 2016|publisher=Comingsoon.net|date=July 21, 2016}} The film debuted in second place on the home video sales chart behind The Divergent Series: Allegiant for the week ending on July 17, 2016.{{cite news|title='Allegiant' Debuts Atop Disc Sales Charts|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/allegiant-debuts-atop-disc-sales-charts-1201819001/|author=John Latchem|access-date=July 21, 2016|work=Variety|date=July 21, 2016}}
Reception
=Box office=
Miracles from Heaven grossed $61.7 million in North America and $12.2 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $73.9 million, against a budget of $13 million.
The film grossed $1.9 million on its first day, finishing second at the box office behind Zootopia ($4.6 million). The film had an $18 million Wednesday-to-Sunday gross, including $14.8 million in its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office behind Zootopia ($37.2 million) and The Divergent Series: Allegiant ($29 million).{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/03/20/weekend-box-office-divergent-allegiant-crumbles-miracles-from-heaven-nabs-divine-debut/#20b08ee467eb|title=Weekend Box Office: 'Divergent: Allegiant' Crumbles, 'Miracles From Heaven' Nabs Divine Debut|author=Scott Mendelson|work=Forbes|date=March 20, 2016|access-date=March 20, 2016}}
On its opening weekend in the United Kingdom, Miracles from Heaven grossed $29 thousand, dropping to $231 by week four.[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&country=UK&id=miraclesfromheaven.htm] Box Office Mojo
=Critical response=
Miracles from Heaven received generally mixed reviews from critics, with Garner's performance receiving praise. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 45%, based on 93 reviews, with an average rating of 5.10/10. The site's consensus reads, "Miracles from Heaven makes the most out of an outstanding performance from Jennifer Garner, but it isn't quite enough to keep this faith-based drama from preaching to the choir."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/miracles_from_heaven/ |title=Miracles from Heaven (2016) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=January 13, 2021}} On Metacritic the film has a score of 44 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/miracles-from-heaven |title=Miracles from Heaven reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=March 18, 2016}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/miracles-from-heaven-opening-day-box-office-1201721886/ |title='Miracles From Heaven' Opens Wednesday With A+ CinemaScore |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=17 March 2016 }}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable" |
| Association
! Category ! Nominee ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| People's Choice Awards
| Miracles from Heaven | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"| Teen Choice Awards
| Miracles from Heaven | {{won}} | rowspan="2"| {{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/31/teen-choice-awards-2016-winners-list |title=Teen Choice Awards 2016: See the full list of winners |last=Goodman |first=Jessica |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016 }} |
| Choice Movie Actress: Drama
| Jennifer Garner | {{nom}} |
| MovieGuide Awards
|Best Movie for Families |Miracles from Heaven |{{Won}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.christybeam.com/|Christy Beam}}
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{TCMDb title|2064614|Miracles from Heaven}}
- [http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/miracles-from-heaven/ Miracles from Heaven] at History vs. Hollywood
{{Patricia Riggen}}
{{Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Drama}}
Category:Columbia Pictures films
Category:Drama films based on actual events
Category:Films about diseases and disorders
Category:Films about Baptist Christianity
Category:Films based on non-fiction books
Category:Films directed by Patricia Riggen
Category:Films produced by Joe Roth
Category:Films shot in Atlanta
Category:Heaven and hell films
Category:Films about near-death experiences
Category:Films scored by Carlo Siliotto