Miracle Run (TV Movie 2004)

Miracle Run: Directed by Gregg Champion. With Mary-Louise Parker, Aidan Quinn, Zac Efron, Bubba Lewis. A mom is alone with her fraternal twin sons after they’re diagnosed with autism. She tries to give them a normal childhood.

“Here it says u0026quot;Miracle runu0026quot; but I saw a big u0026quot;The unexpected journeyu0026quot; in white during the first frame of the film, over a black background. One way or the other, both titles fit perfectly for what the movie wants to declare, to teach or to show, I donu0026#39;t exactly know.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTV movies today, I believe, have an educational value. Iu0026#39;m not saying weu0026#39;ve got to watch them like we watched that video that explained how we came into the world, so we can never forget it. Iu0026#39;m saying that if youu0026#39;ve got the time, you should sit down and try to get something out of it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMonths ago I saw u0026quot;Sheu0026#39;s too youngu0026quot;, a solid movie about the life of teenagers in the States…The drugs, the sex, Aids, etc. It was strong, for sure, but it seemed true. In u0026quot;Miracle runu0026quot;, as in the latter film and as in u0026quot;Everyday peopleu0026quot;, youu0026#39;ll find real characters living real lives. Have I said this a million times? Yes; but this is TV moviesu0026#39; specialty today.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThey manage to get a promising cast. Maybe some big stars, maybe some new talents…They make a mix. They pick a strong story, someone to write it and a gut with some experience to direct it. It sure wonu0026#39;t seem the same as a movie we see each week in the movie theater, but the good thing is that it doesnu0026#39;t pretend to.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe cast of u0026quot;Miracle runu0026quot; is headed by the dazzling Mary-Louise Parker (40 and looking gorgeous; thatu0026#39;s a woman Iu0026#39;d like to put my hands on), as Corrine, the mother of two autistic seven-year old boys; in a performance that assures television is her place for the rest of her years. All the doctors had been telling her the boys take more time to grow up, but they donu0026#39;t talk and donu0026#39;t read and…They are seven. These first events end up in a couple break-up and the beginning of a new life.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEventually, with the help of a good old doctor, the kids will learn to read, to write, to talk, but will still feel disturbed in some occasions and their way of walking and expressing is not totally normal. However, they have a special intelligence, and if they donu0026#39;t acknowledge it, theyu0026#39;ll be constantly driven by Stalloneu0026#39;s triumph in u0026quot;Rocky 3u0026quot; (the second best movie of the anthology) to achieve their goals.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSteven is a sports fan. He likes to run, to compete… u0026quot;Like Rockyu0026quot;, he says. He goes running everyday and the scenes are shot like something will happen to him soon, but nothing ever occurs. He joins the cross country team and trains for a big race, but has problems because he gets lost. The parental figure will fix it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePhillip is more cultured; more artistic. Heu0026#39;s always been quieter and has always listened to his brother. But he imitates, and he learns really fast. The first week he learns how to play chess, he beats the schoolu0026#39;s best player. Heu0026#39;ll also develop great gifted musical abilities. The parental figure will generate this. The boys are played by two young actors, Zac Efron and Bubba Lewis respectively; and theirs are two promising interpretations. The first one did a TV show and is preparing a film; the second one hasnu0026#39;t worked since this film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut whou0026#39;s the parental figure? Well, not the best looking man to occupy that role; but heu0026#39;s called Doug, and he solves Stevenu0026#39;s loosing issue and gives Phillip his first guitar. The role was given to Aidan Quinn, and itu0026#39;s amazing how he can look like a finished man in u0026quot;Songcatcheru0026quot; (a film I never saw) then seem to be thirty in u0026quot;Evelynu0026quot;, and first look like a hippie and like a cleaned up mister here. Transformation, dedication.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMike Maplesu0026#39; only screenplay covers all the aspects the film wants to deal with. The love relationship of one of the kids, the struggle of a single mother, the development of a relationship in your mid life, the rejection that exists because of the autism…His words and Gregg Championsu0026#39; magic directing touch make this a totally watch able and fulfilling experience.”