A very well made hockey movie with terrific acting and a lot of heart!

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2004)

Miracle isn't the typical type of film I would normally go see in the theater. I am usually not the one to see many sport movies but something about the trailer really interested me to see this film. Was it the fact that Kurt Russell was in it and this was his first movie in almost 7 years that didn't look like it was totally going to suck? Was it the awesome Dream On song by Aerosmith playing in the background during the trailer? Or was it just the fact that it seemed like a very interesting film to me. Well, I think it was all of the above. So continue on to read my review for Miracle.
I got to see Miracle tonight at a special sneak preview. I was really looking forward to the film as being the highlight of the week. I walked into the theater tonight, which was very packed and had to sit up in the top row because there were no seats in the theater besides on the floor. So I sat there with a group of loud obnoxious college kids and watched Miracle.
The movie stars Kurt Russell in possibly the best role of his career as Herb Brooks, the real life hockey player turned coach. Herb's lifetime dream was to make a dream team of Hockey players that can overcome any team as long as he can push them to the max. Well Herb gets his wish and spends every waking minute of his day, making the selected 21 the best they can be and showing them if you push yourself to the limit you will win the toughest and hardest battles. A lot of strong performances, great hockey scenes, and excitement lie ahead...
The movies' acting was terrific. I used to like Kurt Russell but for the last six and a half years all he's been putting out is garbage after garbage. His last decent film was Breakdown in 1997. I think honestly though his role as Herb in the film was outstanding. What a performance. Bravo Mr. Russell I applaud your work. Patrica Clarkson who is starting to be seen as an actress also did a good job in the film as Herb's wife. I see Patrica Clarkson becoming a big star I mean she has three good movies now under her belt, Pieces of April, The Station Agent and Miracle. As for the entire Hockey team in the film, well there are way to many to name but all did a great job. The performances in the film were really something great.
The director Gavin O' Connor has made a film he can be proud of for many years to come. This guy did one hell of a job capturing the true feelings and inspiration of this hockey team. And what about those awesome camera angles capturing the hockey excitement. I almost felt I was right there when the movie was playing. I wanted to clap my hands and cheer (luckily for me people in the audience were doing it for me). This is Mr. Connor's first main stream film, his earlier film was Tumbleweeds which is an independent film I always wanted to see but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I am sure after seeing this film, I will put it on my list for renters next time I go to the video store.
A complete unknown named Eric Guggenheim wrote the film. I am sure with this very powerful and inspirational script will he get many more jobs in the near future. The man wrote a very touching, inspirational, and exciting script. Some people never achieve to write something as good as this film is so he should be proud.
So to conclude my review, I really enjoyed Miracle. I would have probably enjoyed it more if I wasn't sitting in front of a bunch of rude college kids who did nothing but laugh for the first twenty minutes but luckily they quieted down and I got to really enjoy this film. It showcased a very powerhouse performance by Kurt Russell and the entire cast who played the hockey team. I was very interested in the story. I think this could quite possibly be the best movie made about sports ever. It's sure as hell the best Hockey movie I ever seen. I would probably give Miracle a 8.5/10. It was a really great film and might be one of the years best.