"The Maldonado Miracle" tells of a SoCal town ala Mayberry RFD with a handful of stereotypical townsfolk type characters who get caught up in a frenzy of activity when a statue of Christ appears to be crying tears of blood. A potpourri of oh so perfectly imperfect people from the parish priest (Fonda) to the cute little poor Mexican boy with a dog who wants to find his papá to the pot bellied Sheriff with a sickly old mother, etc., this flick is a contrived and obvious button-pusher which Hayek is trying turn into a fountain of warm and fuzzies. As one might expect, the film bears the fingerprints of a novice auteur and plays out as little more than a no brainer cable watch for sentimentalists who ascribe to the principle: It is, therefor it's good. Mediocre stuff now on Showtime. (C+)
16 Reviews
It was good.
jewelch17 May 2021
I love movies that are simple and inspirational. This movie is one of those. The setting is a town breathing its last breath and many of the local town folks are dealing with important life struggles. Something unusual breathes new life into the town and the towns people. Was it a coincidence or a miracle?
The acting is good, setting perfect and characters people can relate too. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 5/17-21.
The acting is good, setting perfect and characters people can relate too. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 5/17-21.
Blood types
jotix10021 October 2003
It was a pleasant surprise to see this charming little film directed with a lot of love by Salma Hayek. She has learned her craft well by just looking from the other side of the camera.
It is a very simple story that shows the power of the media in creating the right atmosphere for people in need to believe in something, given the right ingredients. There will always be those who will not question anything in life, but will trust blindly what is given to them as truth.
The town where the so called miracle occurs has seen better days, but it's now abandoned, a ghost town in the West. More interestingly, is the fact that such a small community has a priest in the local church. This Father Russell is reluctant to have his church become a three ring circus, but lets the show go on, against his better judgment. The miracle happens in many ways, as suddenly, for whatever reasons, his little church is the center of devotion from those who come in need. At the end, a real miracle has occurred in more ways than one.
Peter Fonda plays Father Russell with conviction. Mare Winningham, as the owner of the cafe, is very good, as is Ruben Blades' Cruz, secretly in love with her.
For being her first feature, this was a treat.
It is a very simple story that shows the power of the media in creating the right atmosphere for people in need to believe in something, given the right ingredients. There will always be those who will not question anything in life, but will trust blindly what is given to them as truth.
The town where the so called miracle occurs has seen better days, but it's now abandoned, a ghost town in the West. More interestingly, is the fact that such a small community has a priest in the local church. This Father Russell is reluctant to have his church become a three ring circus, but lets the show go on, against his better judgment. The miracle happens in many ways, as suddenly, for whatever reasons, his little church is the center of devotion from those who come in need. At the end, a real miracle has occurred in more ways than one.
Peter Fonda plays Father Russell with conviction. Mare Winningham, as the owner of the cafe, is very good, as is Ruben Blades' Cruz, secretly in love with her.
For being her first feature, this was a treat.
One more reason to like Salma Hayek
patrokov16 April 2004
This was definitely a pleasant surprise. When my wife brought it home, I was very skeptical, but it is an interesting and entertaining movie. Salma does very well with artistic moments--showing poignant images and voiceless narrative--but not letting them bog the movie down. It is impressive how she was able to let us peek into the lives of more than a dozen characters, letting us see their struggles and feel that we know them, without getting lost in a mishmash. She also had the good sense to end the movie when it was done. While not a great movie, it is a good movie and much more watchable than any movie Robert Redford has directed. Keep up the good work.
BTW, the song during the end credits is haunting and, interestingly enough, sung by Mare Winningham.
BTW, the song during the end credits is haunting and, interestingly enough, sung by Mare Winningham.
Sweet, touching, thought-provoking
John102617 May 2004
Considering it was Ms. Hayek's first film, it is a remarkable achievement. "The Maldonado Miracle" is a film of rare, quiet beauty; one that touched and moved me without resorting to sentimentality. It touches on the subject of faith, love and grace in a simple way: showing us that the sacred is in the everyday and that hope creates it's own little miracles.
Bravo, Ms. Hayek! I for one hope you keep directing and producing. Your work, along with others in the independent film community, shows the promise of a new era of cinema: one in which substance triumphs, if for a brief moment, over style.
Bravo, Ms. Hayek! I for one hope you keep directing and producing. Your work, along with others in the independent film community, shows the promise of a new era of cinema: one in which substance triumphs, if for a brief moment, over style.
Surprisingly good!
j2jensen2 August 2005
My friends and I were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this movie. Character development was strong, and it was very interesting to get to know each of the characters, to understand their history and mentality, and to see similarities between the characters in the movie and the people I know. As I came to relate to each of the characters in their own way, watching how each of them were shaped by the goings-on in the small town was a thought-provoking experience. It was a deeply enriching movie, and I found myself thinking about the movie quite a bit over the next few weeks after I saw it.
I also was very impressed by how clean and family-friendly it was. I don't recall much swearing, except for maybe a couple of "Jesus"'s. Although some of the interpersonal drama was a little intense, there are no sex scenes or anything provocative. I was really impressed that none of the characters were glamorized or unbelievably good-looking. That made the story easier to believe, and makes me feel better about impressionable kids and teens watching it and learning from it.
The acting was generally very good, the camera directing was beautiful, and the only reason I'm giving it a 9 is because of a cheesy line near the end that was intended to make a jab at journalism and went overboard. Apart from that, watching The Maldonado Miracle was a purely positive experience.
I also was very impressed by how clean and family-friendly it was. I don't recall much swearing, except for maybe a couple of "Jesus"'s. Although some of the interpersonal drama was a little intense, there are no sex scenes or anything provocative. I was really impressed that none of the characters were glamorized or unbelievably good-looking. That made the story easier to believe, and makes me feel better about impressionable kids and teens watching it and learning from it.
The acting was generally very good, the camera directing was beautiful, and the only reason I'm giving it a 9 is because of a cheesy line near the end that was intended to make a jab at journalism and went overboard. Apart from that, watching The Maldonado Miracle was a purely positive experience.
maldonado miracle
froggy-3813 May 2004
If you want to see a beautiful movie that will bring tears and an uplifting feeling of joy, watch, 'The Miracle at Maldonado.' Ruben Blades turns in one of his best performances, and Peter Fonda plays a wonderfully under-stated Priest. Eddy Martin, who plays Jose, has a wonderful radiance and a maturity beyond his years. The movie is first time directed by Salma Hyek, one of my favorite actresses. Frankly I am amazed at the job Salma has done with this movie. What could have been just another low budget movie with has been actors turns out to be something very special. If this movie doesn't get at least an oscar mention, 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark.' Mare Winningham lends kind of believability to her role transcends acting. Do yourself a favor, watch this one. You'll be glad you did.
Unusual and worth viewing.
fkerr14 October 2003
Sometimes, films exist outside the formulas. Sometimes, they can make the viewer uncomfortable. The Maldonado Miracle fits both categories. It deals with United States/Mexico border issues with frankness, and that makes many very uncomfortable. Then, it moves into religion and raises questions like: What is a miracle? How different people react is extremely interesting. The viewer must consider some basic issues in his or her own faith, something else that most are not comfortable with. Yet, these issues are what makes this film well worth viewing.
What a great directing debut for Selma Hayek!
Ladybug07129 May 2003
I absolutely loved this film. It is beautiful, as well as profound, in its simplicity. "The Maldonado Miracle" is a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences. The story is of a young boy (Eddy Martin) in search of his father, who indirectly and unknowingly, influences the small town where he is hiding out to make a change for the better. He is the Maldonado miracle. This film expresses such a sweet message of looking for miracles within our individual lives; sometimes they can be found in the most unlikely situations.
Selma Hayek is fantastic in her first film as director. Also, performances by Peter Fonda and child actor Eddy Martin (who, by the way, has an amazing singing voice) are very near perfect. I was able to attend the world premiere of this film at Sundance with the cast and crew. It was such a neat experience and I give "The Maldonado Miracle" my highest praise. I recommend it to everyone who can get their hands on it!
Selma Hayek is fantastic in her first film as director. Also, performances by Peter Fonda and child actor Eddy Martin (who, by the way, has an amazing singing voice) are very near perfect. I was able to attend the world premiere of this film at Sundance with the cast and crew. It was such a neat experience and I give "The Maldonado Miracle" my highest praise. I recommend it to everyone who can get their hands on it!
review of Maldonado Miracle
gillis-78 May 2006
I agree with the flaw stated in the above review, however, I liked this film for other reasons. First of all, there is ethnographic value to this film. The religion student may also want to check it out. Peter Fonda is no Captain America here but he shows nice depth in his portrayal of the priest. Brother Amos, portrayed by Scott Michael Campbell, is also top-notch acting. The zealous "miracle-finding" woman drove me more than a bit crazy but I believe that is to Salma's credit for its realism. Check it out, as always, if you don't expect the world to rotate just for your purposes, you will walk away feeling good about the time you just spent.
A Very Good Surprise!
jeffers-511 November 2004
This is a great family film. The characters are interesting and you find yourself getting involved with the story and really caring about how it will end. Eddy Martin is a treasure ! He's not yet been robbed of the sweetness of youth that makes him so real. Peter Fonda is a little stiff in his character. Mare Winningham gives a touching performance. You will laugh at yourself while, at the same time, do some soul searching before being too critical. The bottom line, if you like a family movie with a religious flavor and inspirational ending....get this movie. I will be looking for more movies with Eddy Martin. Hopefully someone needing a great young actor will sign him to a contract.
sweetness without sentimentality
alexvargas793515 April 2007
Absolutely touching movie devoid of sentimentality, clichés, and the "safe" topics sometimes found in family movies. I didn't realize I'd like it so much. Eddy Martin sings beautifully and shows great depth in his portrayal of a boy in search of his father.
I like the the very real flavor of the town. The non-glamorized actors seem to be cast perfectly for each character. No single character, with the exception of the "chosen one" were overacted, and even in that case, it's arguable since the extra emotional character of that role called for a little bit of "overacting" -- she cracked me up.
The role of the sheriff was highly interesting -- he's not oversimplified as a simple man of the law with no compassion; instead, he plays a kind of "villain" to a young boy's life in his effort to follow the law and preserve a small town, yet goes home every night and literally spoon feeds and cares for his dying, frail, mentally lost mother.
I like the the very real flavor of the town. The non-glamorized actors seem to be cast perfectly for each character. No single character, with the exception of the "chosen one" were overacted, and even in that case, it's arguable since the extra emotional character of that role called for a little bit of "overacting" -- she cracked me up.
The role of the sheriff was highly interesting -- he's not oversimplified as a simple man of the law with no compassion; instead, he plays a kind of "villain" to a young boy's life in his effort to follow the law and preserve a small town, yet goes home every night and literally spoon feeds and cares for his dying, frail, mentally lost mother.
Gentle, hopeful satire.
p.newhouse@talk21.com12 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This is a lovely film that I looked for for years, after seeing it on British TV. It gently takes a swipe at human understanding (or lack of), chiding us also for wanting to be self-important whilst losing sight of what is really important in life, but then reminds us that if we stop looking for somebody to come in and make a grand gesture of change in our lives, we can see the small miracles that already have power in our lives. There are some truly fine performances here, especially in the on screen relationship between Mare Winningham and Ruben Blades. Peter Fonda's work here is every bit as crafted and lean as his earlier work in "The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things." Eddy Martin is a gem of a find as the young Mexican boy at the centre of events. Salma Hayek, as a debuting director, is to be commended.
A touching story that engaged me in spite of myself
alkhemy13 October 2003
I saw this movie on Showtime, because my wife wanted to see it. I like Selma Hyek's acting, but I wasn't especially interested in the story - or what I'd heard about it. Imagine my surprise when I found myself thoroughly enjoying the film.
The acting from the main characters was understated, and perfect for the story. The cinematography was beautifully competent, and the set design was exquisite - Showtime showed behind-the-scenes snippets before and after the movie, and the brilliance that was displayed in creating such believable sets on such a small budget (often from the ground up)was nothing short of a miracle itself.
All in all, I enjoyed this movie far more than I expected to, and I think the director and her crew show much promise.
The acting from the main characters was understated, and perfect for the story. The cinematography was beautifully competent, and the set design was exquisite - Showtime showed behind-the-scenes snippets before and after the movie, and the brilliance that was displayed in creating such believable sets on such a small budget (often from the ground up)was nothing short of a miracle itself.
All in all, I enjoyed this movie far more than I expected to, and I think the director and her crew show much promise.
Miraculous Little Film with a Structural Flaw
aitengri8 May 2004
Like a good piece of music, this film begins and ends with the poignant leitmotif of a whimsical slow waltz (literally, in the film score), a town transformed by the "miracle" in subtle, internal ways, while the flash in the pan economic boom of a tourist influx provides the noisy, festive outer miracle.
An "illegal" Mexican boy has arrived in town on foot, looking for his lost father - and he leaves, at the end, with his father, on a bus returning to Mexico. In between, we are privy to a cross section of lives in the town, each life undergoing some sort of miraculous or redemptive change, all of it somehow related to the strange phenomenon of the bleeding Christ statue in the local church.
The external plot framework revolves around the discovery of the "real" cause of the bleeding, while concurrently there is a frantic faith contagion set off by media coverage of the "bleeding Christ".
Even as we see individuals pouring into town from everywhere experiencing faith healing a la Lourdes, the film almost loses it with a last minute major thematic flaw. Whether from the book author's choice, or from a modification by the movie adaptation, a last minute switch concerning the identification of the blood sample is thrust upon us, with the implication that the "bleeding Christ" indeed may be an authentic miracle.
Unnecessary, and perhaps a bone thrown to those in the reading/viewing audience who would need such a literal validation. Otherwise, maybe they might not "get" the story about the real miracles? In any event, this reviewer feels that the plot twist, coming almost like an afterthought, weakens the genuine effect of the "miracle worker" being the young Mexican boy or that the ways of "God" may be unfathomable, and not dependent upon literal things. To hammer the "miracle" message, there is one gratuitous "drive the point home" line spoken by Peter Fonda (the priest) BEFORE the last minute switch, when he says of the boy, "There's the real miracle"... only to contradict his own insight, and all the development of the movie, when the second blood test comes back, causing the priest to run out of the room shouting "It really IS a miracle". Which is it, or maybe it's both? Confusions abound at this point, along with a passing sense of anticlimax. But fortunately, the film is near its beautiful and poetic end with the sequenced scenes of changes wrought in individual lives. We can decide for ourselves about the real miracles of this miraculous little movie.
An "illegal" Mexican boy has arrived in town on foot, looking for his lost father - and he leaves, at the end, with his father, on a bus returning to Mexico. In between, we are privy to a cross section of lives in the town, each life undergoing some sort of miraculous or redemptive change, all of it somehow related to the strange phenomenon of the bleeding Christ statue in the local church.
The external plot framework revolves around the discovery of the "real" cause of the bleeding, while concurrently there is a frantic faith contagion set off by media coverage of the "bleeding Christ".
Even as we see individuals pouring into town from everywhere experiencing faith healing a la Lourdes, the film almost loses it with a last minute major thematic flaw. Whether from the book author's choice, or from a modification by the movie adaptation, a last minute switch concerning the identification of the blood sample is thrust upon us, with the implication that the "bleeding Christ" indeed may be an authentic miracle.
Unnecessary, and perhaps a bone thrown to those in the reading/viewing audience who would need such a literal validation. Otherwise, maybe they might not "get" the story about the real miracles? In any event, this reviewer feels that the plot twist, coming almost like an afterthought, weakens the genuine effect of the "miracle worker" being the young Mexican boy or that the ways of "God" may be unfathomable, and not dependent upon literal things. To hammer the "miracle" message, there is one gratuitous "drive the point home" line spoken by Peter Fonda (the priest) BEFORE the last minute switch, when he says of the boy, "There's the real miracle"... only to contradict his own insight, and all the development of the movie, when the second blood test comes back, causing the priest to run out of the room shouting "It really IS a miracle". Which is it, or maybe it's both? Confusions abound at this point, along with a passing sense of anticlimax. But fortunately, the film is near its beautiful and poetic end with the sequenced scenes of changes wrought in individual lives. We can decide for ourselves about the real miracles of this miraculous little movie.
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE!!!!
TexasTruckGal30 August 2004
Salma directs this uplifting movie METICULOUSLY!!! I usually don't boo-hoo at a lot of movies as they are too unrealistic, and more monopolized along the way and geared toward a more favorable "unrealistic" Hollywood ending. Salma, gets down to simple folks with "GENUINE" lives and a very "unique Miracle" that happened to them one day. A town so miniscule, that one would not even consider giving a second thought of finding God there. Salma evidently found this one little town's WORTH was more than gold. Salma incorporates "simple" folks with very real lives, in very REAL situations on a day to day basis. She does not belabor on each of her characters, but allows enough for you to get just a brief glimpse of their ordinary lives. This is by far an extraordinary movie! If she managed this kind of movie with a limited budget, I can only envision what she is capable of if she had MORE to work with. Her creativity, no doubt, would UNDENIABLY SHINE!!! If you ever ponder the thought of wanting to "recover" your faith, this movie will move the very core of your soul!!!! EXCELLENT!!! PAR NONE!!!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
