Synopsis

Set in 1967, THE MIRACLE CLUB is a heartwarming film that follows the story of three generations of close friends, Lily (Maggie Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates), and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) of Ballygar, a hard-knocks community in Dublin, who have one tantalizing dream: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, that place of miracles that draws millions of visitors each year. When the chance to win presents itself, the women seize it. However, just before their trip, their old friend Chrissie (Laura Linney) arrives in Ballygar for her mother’s funeral, dampening their good mood and well-laid plans. The women secure tickets and set out on the journey that they hope will change their lives, with Chrissie, a skeptical traveler, joining in place of her mother. The glamor and sophistication of Chrissie, who has just returned from a nearly 40-year exile in the United States, are not her only distancing traits: Old wounds are reopened along the way, forcing the women to confront their pasts even as they travel in search of a miracle. Their shared traumas can only be healed by the curative power of love and friendship.

Critics Views

“At 88, Smith’s comic timing is as beautifully crisp as ever, but she also gets some fierce scenes of suppressed grief over the loss of her son and one lovely scene of reconciliation with Linney that is blindingly good. It’s all in the women’s gestures — a lowered head, a tight clasp of the hand — as if what they have to communicate might overpower any attempt to put it into words. When you see two world-class actresses click like that it’s miracle enough.”
The Sunday Times

“It’s a gentle, unchallenging film with a good heart and the period detail is scrumptious.” 
The Arts Desk

“It is likely to be just the tonic for viewers of a certain vintage who fancy escaping into a little old-school charm for 90 minutes.”
Sunday Independent (Ireland)

“At 88, Smith’s comic timing is as beautifully crisp as ever, but she also gets some fierce scenes of suppressed grief over the loss of her son and one lovely scene of reconciliation with Linney that is blindingly good.”   Sunday Times

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 49%  Audience 63%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 66%   Audience Liked It 83%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 83%

Audience Comments

Some nice performances and nice photography of France and Lourdes. Unremarkable overall.
Fabulous cast and acting from superb quality actors.. Good mix of humour and emotion. Good scenic filming.
Lovely balance of humour and seriousness. Quite a thought-provoking film.
Great acting poignant story
Very entertaining and enjoyable
Charming feel good movie
I imagine better as a novel than a film
Lovely to watch a film with a happy ending!
Quite charming
Coming from an Irish family it was very familiar in places. The actor playing Chrissie was exceptional.
Just wholly entertaining
Very funny but also poignant. I’ve been to Lourds and seen both aspects of it. A realistic portrayal
I felt the plot was a little predictable!
I enjoyed this – quite light hearted.
Nice evocation of 60s Dublin, but I found it hard to empathise with any of the cast.