‘ORDINARY ANGELS’: A REAL LIFE FAMILY INSPIRES THIS CINEMATIC TITLE
A film that came out a couple of years ago, this one takes inspiration from real life which is either a strength or negative for the 2024 drama Ordinary Angels.
Ordinary Angels (2024) Film Review
Mourning the loss of his wife is painful enough. But for Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), he’s also having to help his daughter fight for her life. After a battle with an illness, Ed has to tell his wife goodbye, which draws him further away from his faith. Pain doesn’t pause there though because his daughter Michelle is sick with a rare disease that only a liver transplant can cure. Trouble is, Ed has more debt than Michelle has time.
Hitting rock bottom is a reality Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) has been careening towards. But she won’t believe anyone who tells her this. After her concerned friend drops her at an AA meeting, Sharon still won’t admit to anything and instead fortifies her day with more alcohol, which is where she finds a newspaper sharing Michelle’s story.
Anytime a film is tagged with the “true story” moniker, its one of those that always tugs at the heartstrings or 90% of the time they do. Ordinary Angels is no different, but that mantle can also carry a curse, since that same percentage also is true of the fact that films like this tend to add elements for dramatic effect. I don’t know how much of this film did so but based on actual footage from the day that the film closes on, I think it’s safe to say creative dramatic adlibbing certainly did happen.
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‘ORDINARY ANGELS’: A REAL LIFE FAMILY INSPIRES THIS CINEMATIC TITLE Share on XBeyond all of this, this one is a good movie. The cast is stellar, and I have to confess, it’s grand to see Alan Ritchson step into a role that isn’t Jack Reacher (much as I like him in the role). He and Swank together make a formidable team in Ordinary Angels playing emotion, protective and determined for their respective characters very well. Also in the cast is Tamala Jones and Last Man Standing’s Nancy Travis, and the young stars playing the Schmitt ladies, one of whom will be seen in Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie, are also good.
Creative choices aside, I did think this film was lovely. It evokes tears but also a bit of joy, laughter and love, and it’s shepherded by a cast who seems to genuinely care about this story. There is redemption arcs sprinkled in with the underdog story, and it’s a blending that Ordinary Angels carries well and infuses with grace.
Stream, at publication, with Roku Channel; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
Feature: Lionsgate Poster
Content: there are thematic elements which include tense medical situations. The film is relatively unencumbered with content though and has only a PG rating.
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interesting inspiration
Ordinary Angels was such a good movie! Your review was spot on, Rissi!
It was good. :)