while the film runs a bit long, and the heartstrings-tugging becomes overwrought, overall, this family melodrama is surprisingly effective, even for those of little faith
the tone is frequently more searching than self-satisfied, and the harrowing medical crisis that drives the family story gives it the nonreligious urgency to preach beyond the choir
Miracles from Heaven wrings this story for everything it's worth, and is ultimately saved from mawkishness by the utter believability of Garner's performance as a mother who would do anything to save her daughter
Miracles From Heaven has its audience, and that audience will likely be satisfied by its grab-bag imitation of a satisfying narrative (though even that audience might wonder why the movie has to run closer to two hours than 90 minutes)
by Jim Slotek [Toronto Sun ]
