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DVD REVIEW FOR
"THE THIRD MIRACLE"

(1999) (Ed Harris, Anne Heche) (R)

Length Screen Format(s) Languages Subtitles Sound Sides
118 minutes Letterbox (1.85:1)
16x9 - Widescreen
Full Frame (Pan & Scan)
English English
Spanish
French
Dolby Digital 2.0 1 (Dual layer)

PLOT & PARENTAL REVIEW

AUDIO/VIDEO ELEMENTS:
Upon witnessing this release's first scene - a grainy flashback - some viewers are apt to worry that something's wrong their disc or player, as it looks quite bad. Of course, that's purposefully done, and fortunately after that, the rest of the disc looks great. Simultaneously sharp and smooth-looking, and featuring rich and deep colors, the visuals are impressive.

The audio, on the other hand, while serviceable, is hampered a bit by the fact that it's presented in the older Dolby Surround sound rather than the newer Dolby Digital. As such, while there may be various sound effects (such as wartime explosions, etc.) and a decent score, the disc's audio track lacks the sonic punch most viewers have probably grown accustomed to. Since the film is mostly a talky drama, however, that doesn't turn out to be huge or detrimental problem, but it would have been nice had the disc been released with the most up to date audio available.

EXTRAS:
  • Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
  • Running audio commentary by director Agnieszka Holland.
  • Isolated music score.
  • Theatrical trailer.
  • Cast & Crew brief biographies & filmographies.
  • COMMENTS:
    Just like oil and water, cats and dogs, and most members of Congress, religion and Hollywood often don't mix that well, at least in the minds and beliefs of those who feel they've been slighted or attacked. While not every such related picture falls into this category, and such opinions have been and continue to be debatable, religion isn't always used in the greatest light in many Hollywood productions.

    Whether it's for comedy as in the controversial "Dogma," or supernatural horror in films such as "The Exorcist" and "Stigmata," religion and/or religious officials - often involving Catholicism - aren't always portrayed in positive way and one can see why some people are offended and get upset over such portrayals and representations.

    While Agnieszka Holland's latest film, "The Third Miracle" probably won't be seen as a blindly enthusiastic cheerleader for organized religion, those who have had problems with those other sorts of films will probably find this one a bit more acceptable.

    The story of a disillusioned priest's quest to prove one woman's faith while sorting out his own, the film offers a more realistic and believable portrayal of religion as it pertains to one individual. A mixture of introspective drama with bits of forbidden romance, and a traditional detective-type story with some paranormal activity, there's plenty of potential here and the film often delivers on at least some of it.

    To appease the film's possible detractors, it does contain various religious characters in the roles of the bad guys, or villains if you will. Yet, most of the characters - including our self-doubting hero - are of the same flock. More important, if there is to be conflict and the necessary obstacles to impede our hero's goal and generate some tension, by default most of the antagonists consequently have to be religious-related folk. As a result, their portrayal here is both understandable and acceptable and therefore doesn't reek of religion bashing.

    In addition and despite its supernatural underpinnings - at least as far as miracles are concerned - those who are looking for the big special effects and supernatural fireworks are apt to be disappointed with what this film has to offer in regards to that (sorry, there are no rotating heads, bass-heavy Latin vocals or sudden bouts of cold air that produce chilled breath visuals).

    With the "eeriest" moments being blood coming from the eyes of a statue, Holland ("Washington Square," "Europa, Europa"), who works from a script by John Romano (a TV writer making his film debut) and Richard Vetere (whose novel of the same name is the source material for this film), does a decent job of keeping things interesting and smartly uses the supernatural moments as bits of interesting subtext for what follows instead of the highlights of the film.

    When originally theatrically released, the film suffered from yet another case of bad cinematic timing, as its basic plot was rather similar to that of "Stigmata" (both involve a Catholic official being assigned to investigate religious paranormal events). Fortunately, that's where the comparisons end, in that the former took a chintzy, MTV style approach at horror, whereas this one is much more laid back, understated and certainly far better. Much of that's due to the film's focus on the troubled protagonist and the terrific actor inhabiting the part.

    Although the disillusioned priest plotline isn't particularly novel, it's handled quite well here and adds a nice complexity to the proceedings. With Frank battling his self-doubts and questioning his faith, but continuing his quest to have a woman canonized for hers, the effect is nicely handled and provides for some interesting internal conflict being expressed in an external fashion.

    Most of that can be attributed to the solid and often terrific performance by Ed Harris ("The Truman Show," "Apollo 13"). I've always admired and enjoyed the actor's work (it's a shame he's yet to take home an Oscar) and here he does a more than credible job balancing understated moments with those featuring far more volatility and passion (especially in the "courtroom" scenes).

    What doesn't work so well is the romance between his character and the one played by actress Anne Heche ("Volcano," "Wag the Dog"). Having nothing to do with the fact that she's a lesbian (after all, she's an actress playing a part and those same issues were addressed and answered in her performance with Harrison Ford in "Six Days, Seven Nights"), the problem is that the chemistry between the two not only doesn't feel completely convincing, but also often comes off as artificial and forced (not to mention clearly rushed).

    Although in concept the notion of a priest succumbing to passion and then having to worry to some degree about a conflict of interest not only with his vows, but also his efforts to have this woman's mother canonized is interesting in theory and/or on paper, it doesn't work that well here in execution. While Heche does a decent job portraying the estranged and still bitter daughter, her character often feels like more of a plot element than a natural development.

    Another problem the film faces is that it doesn't maintain its momentum throughout and occasionally suffers from some dead or near-dead moments. That said, there are enough that are quite electric and riveting to make up for and/or balance out the less successful ones.

    Supporting performances are generally solid, with Armin Mueller-Stahl ("Jakob the Liar," "The Thirteenth Floor") capably playing an unlikable archbishop (although at times he's a bit too condescending - a little less and he would have been far more interesting), Charles Haid (best known for his role on TV's "Hill Street Blues") doing something of the same, and Caterina Scorsone (a TV actress) believably inhabiting the grownup version of a recipient of a childhood miracle gone bad.

    While the picture is far from perfect and may be a bit slow for some viewer's tastes, it offers a terrific performance from Harris and an interesting look at a troubled man's inner battles, mixed with a part detective, part paranormal story, that purposefully leaves the ending satisfactorily unresolved. Although that might not sit well with some viewers, it only further stresses the notion of what constitutes faith.

    As far as the disc's technical merits are concerned, the visuals are quite impressive (despite a purposefully grainy opening) and the audio is serviceable, but not spectacular due to being limited to the older Dolby Surround rather than the newer Dolby Digital treatment. Our favorite supplement, the running audio commentary by the film's director, is easily the highlight of the additional material found on the disc, which also features Jan A.P. Kaczmarek's score and a few other offerings.

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