SAINT RALPH
By John Lillywhite

Father Hibbert trains Ralph for the Boston Marathon in Michael McGowan's Saint Ralph

Saint Ralph is a bittersweet comedy about an awkward ninth grade Catholic school boy who sets out to make a miracle happen. Believing that a miracle can save his mother's life and having been told his winning the Boston marathon would be ‘a miracle', Ralph begins training to win the famed race. Only after seeing his resolve and temerity, a conflicted Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott) trains the boy through his triumphant win at a local race and prepares for the ultimate challenge.

Adam Butcher does a marvelous job as Ralph, a lovable and headstrong rebel with a naive innocence that is sure to engage the audience. At the same time however his character can at times suffer from the light hearted tone of the movie; the fact that the boy lives all alone, his mother seems dead, his place at school is endangered and eventually his very house burns down all suggest a rather dark reality that often seems completely brushed over. Throughout we never see Ralph, behind it all mature and intelligent, adequately reflecting on the fact that his entire world is crumbling to pieces. Meanwhile Campbell Scott is very well cast as the Nietzsche reading progressive Father Hibbert, a former Olympic runner who eventually becomes coach and friend to our little Saint. Along the way the austere Father Fitzpatrick, the headmaster of the school played by Gordon Pinsent, attempts to confound their efforts at every turn. He represents the voices of those who doubt and dissuade, in a movie that preaches ‘chase that dream' or, if you are Catholic, ‘follow that miracle'.

Campbell Scott and Adam Butcher in Saint Ralph, a Samuel Goldwyn Films' release.

Set in 1950's Boston , the look of the film deserves a mention. The costume designer Anne Dixon, the locations manager Michael Tough and the production designer Matthew Davies have clearly worked hard to successfully convey the era, and their work is further complemented by some beautiful shots of the New England scenery. Moreover the division of the narrative into relevant Saints Days is a clever and amusing device, while the production as a whole certainly takes on a polished feel. That said there are some aspects to the movie that may not appeal to all audiences.

For example the crude humor at the beginning of the movie and the overplayed ‘self-abuse' gags may make some parents uncomfortable. The depiction of God as Father Christmas receives little rationale, could easily offend and seems out of place in a movie that is in certain ways quite understated. Finally Father Fitzpatrick remains a misnomer, as the script does not seem sure as to whether he is an authoritarian bully or a well-meaning if institutionalized grouch.

Saint Ralph is an intelligent and entertaining film that should go far. It features a memorable main character and a good cast, while executing a genuinely heart-warming story with subtlety and verve. Although its depiction of Catholic culture and thought can at times seem a little odd, it is a well-meaning movie with a satisfying ending and message: quite literally ‘Chase that miracle'.

Saint Ralph is rated "PG-13" and playing now in theaters.