Hollywood never stops adapting true stories. And if they're inspiring, that doesn't mean their transition to the big screen is a success, as is the case with this feature film starring Hilary Swank.
Sharon (Hilary Swank) is a hairdresser by profession. But she's mostly an alcoholic and so out of control that Rose (Tamala Jones), her best friend and boss, drops her off at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting the day after a particularly intense argument. But Sharon completely denies this.
She happens to read a newspaper article that tells the story of Michelle Schmitt (Emily Mitchell), a five-year-old girl whose mother (those familiar with Joss Whedon's work will recognize Amy Acker in this brief role) is absolutely dead must undergo a liver transplant. Sharon then feels entrusted with a mission: to help the family affected by the accident. She is organizing a fundraiser and will give the proceeds to Ed (Alan Ritchson), Michelle's father.
The little girl's health deteriorated, Sharon continued to fight to provide all possible support to the family and managed to rally the entire community to save the sick child.
There's no doubt that “Ordinary Angels” is inspiring – Michelle actually graduated from high school, as we learn in the credits. Undoubtedly, Ordinary Angels advocates the values of mutual aid, sharing and empathy. No doubt, the story is beautiful.
But what's going on then? Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig's script often falls into over-schematization – particularly Sharon's alcoholism and her communication problems with her son – as well as over-dramatic effects – the blizzard, for example. And despite the presence of Hilary Swank and the undeniable contribution of her acting talent – she was still a two-time Oscar winner – this portrait never manages to reach the level of Erin Brockovich, at which it performs well, as is often thought.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Ordinary Angels hits theaters on February 23rd.