Miracles From Heaven (2016)

Miracles From Heaven was released on March 16, 2016, in some theaters, Amazon, and Redbox. The film was produced by Patricia Riggen, written by Christy Beam, and adapted by Randy Brown. The actors in the film are Eugenio Derbez as Dr. Nurko, Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam, and Kylie Rogers as Ana Beam. The film is a drama about a little girl who is terribly ill and miraculously gets cured. After the car accident, Christy Beam (mother) finds out that Ana Beam (daughter) is not ill anymore; for some reason that doctors or science cannot explain, Ana is no longer ill. Ana is perfectly healthy.

 

 

I enjoyed the film because it had a happy ending.  For the first time, a Mexican actor had the honor to play a role in a drama film as a doctor, and not a criminal. The story has a happy ending and not the typical sad ending that most drama films have. The film ended with the child being cured of a terrible illness that was very painful and did not have a cure according to doctors. One can interpret the ending in many different ways. My interpretation is that one must never lose hope and faith. Even when one does not find a solution, or think there is no solution, one must believe God has a plan for us, and we must trust in God.  Many times that I have watched movies, in which most of the actors are white, and a person of color is part of the cast, \the person of color is the criminal or the villain. I was amazed that for the first time in my history of viewing films, a Mexican was portrayed as a doctor. Not a doctor, who malpractice steals, or extortionate patients, but a doctor who is caring, loving, and understanding. Eugenio Derbez as Dr. Nurko role was essential to the film because he is a doctor that treats Kylie Rogers, an excellent physician, and reveals the good news.  He is the top pediatric gastroenterologist in Boston. Dr. Samuel Nurko is a very busy doctor, and it takes some time before he can set an appointment to meet with Ana and her mother.

Most of the films viewed in the class involve criminals, were violent and portrayed Latinos in a negative manner. This film, on the contrary, portrays Latinos as caring, loving, and understanding like in the film, Real Women Have Curves. We need more films in English that portray Latinos as part of the American society, playing a functional and essential component. As one of the minority groups, the number of Latinos has increased, and we cannot deny nor ignore that we are part of the American society.

Overall, I enjoyed the film, the message it portrayed, how it depicted Latinos and the happy ending.  We need more films that illustrate, with positive messages, regardless of race we can all work together, help one another, and make a difference. Hate, stereotypes, and racism need to be forgotten to be able to live and make the world a better place. Currently, the world needs humanity to believe, and I have faith and hope in a better world.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4257926/

 

 

9 thoughts on “Miracles From Heaven (2016)

  1. Reading your post made me think about something. You are right when you say that this is the first movie that you have seen where a Latino has played a doctor. I was trying to think of another movie or TV show where I’ve seen a Latino be a doctor and I couldn’t think of one. You are also right in the fact that I don’t see many movies or shows that have Latino’s be the main character and be a good person. It’s always the opposite. Just like in Scarface and American Me. Aside from them being portrayed as an evil character, Latina’s also get stereotyped as maids just like my movie I reviewed, Spanglish. Do you think that maybe if Latino’s were portrayed in a more positive light in movies that it would change the way some people view them? I believe the way a certain race is always portrayed and stereotyped in movies and TV shows says a lot. If people keep seeing Latino’s, for example, portrayed as villains and criminals they might be stuck with that persona. Some people might get the wrong impression of them. This movies sounds like a really nice movie. I might have to check it out one day.

  2. When I saw this post I was wondering how it tied into the subject because I have only seen commercials for it; I had no idea Eugenio Derbez was in it. It is very rare to see a Latino playing an educated role, let alone a doctor. I think that is a great step forward especially since the film has people like Jennifer Garner in it and most of Eugenio’s work is in Spanish. Often people who play “Latinos” are not only not Latino but do not even speak Spanish. So to see an authentic Latino playing an educated role in an A list movie is satisfying. I didn’t really want to see this film before but now I really want to check it out; adding it to the list. Thanks!

  3. i enjoyed reading you post. Although I have not seen this film it seems as though this film does well to represent the Latino image as something other than the stereotypes perpetuated by the Hollywood movie industry. I saw the trailer for this film and I have to say I am not too interested in actually sitting down and watching this film. Very good post though.

  4. I’ve never heard of this movie but it looks interesting. I had no idea Eugenio Derbez was in so many good movies. I really like him as an actor. I agree in what you said about a Latino male being portrayed as an educated professional as opposed to the usual characters we see such as in American Me, Zoot Suit, etc. Usually they are depicted as criminals, thugs, troublemakers, lawbreakers. Rarely do we see Latinos in these professional type roles. I think it’s important to do this because film and TV have such an influence on the stereotypes people form for different races and cultures as they grow up. It would be great for young Latinos/as to see roles like this and believe that they too could grow up to be a doctor or go to college. Great post!

  5. I think that if we are portrayed in a more positive manner in the media, we will be treated and seen differently by others. Media is seen and used all over the world, so when a negative message is displayed to the whole world, it has a huge impact.

  6. Yes, it is satisfying. In English, not much publicity was made with his name since he is still not well known. In Spanish television, it was all over. I have hope that soon we will be portrayed in a more positive manner.

  7. I am glad you enjoyed my post. I understand you may not be interested in watching the film is a bit depressing. I became interested because of Eugenio Derbez and his character. Thank you.

  8. Thank you, and we definitely need more films that portray Latinos as professionals and maybe the rates in higher education will rise among Latinos.

  9. I agree with everyone that has commented on your blog. One…I had not heard of this film, two…it is rare to see Latino men portrayed as: educated, kindhearted, sensitive, let alone having a career. This review does have similarities to the men in RWHC, only that in this one it seems as both genders have equal importance in the film. To me…I think this film touches themes beyond the stereotype of men and women because they are both significant in the making of the film. It was nice for a change to see a main protagonist, especially a Latino portrayed in such a positive outlook.

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