Saint Ralph (2004) User Reviews

Surprisingly enjoyable

[kd1104 · 8/10 · 25 July 2005]

Air Canada was showing this a few months ago. With nothing better to do I thought I'd give it a try. It's nice to start watching a movie you have never heard of. And not having anyone else's viewpoint to prejudice you. At least when it is this good. The initial disappointment of there being no well known movies on offer soon evaporated. After an uncertain start the wholly believable characters win you over. A bit corny at times for sure, but funny, and well acted. And ultimately one of the most moving films I have seen in a while (ok discounting Finding Neverland). An excellent coming of age tale, which I enjoyed retelling to my kids.

A must to rent.

Delightful

[artzau · 8/10 · 30 December 2005]

Every once in a while, a "feel good" movie pops up that surprises me. Always on the look-out for movies that my wife will watch, I picked this off the shelf and was simply delighted watching it. The story was better than the run of the mill tear-jerker and was made credible by the performance of young Mr. Butcher in the title role, the sweet and beautiful teenage Ms. Hope and the convincing performances of Campbell Scott and Gordon Pinsent as the priests with opposing views. To a pair of cradle Catholics like my wife and I who grew up in the 50s, the bittersweet romance of coming of age was very compelling. In short, this is a good film. Enough nostalgia to spark old memories for oldies like us and with enough sentiment not to be overly sentimental and maudlin. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.

A wonderful study of Canada in the fifties.

[wisewebwoman · 8/10 · 17 October 2005]

One of the best movies I've seen all year. I tried to catch it in the theatre but it was vapourized too quickly and having seen it I'm completely baffled- surely Canada can afford to promote movies a little better than this. Many such missed opportunities come to mind ("Marion Bridge", "The Hanging Garden" et al). This is one of the best of its genre, the extremely gritty dedicated athlete/musician/singer/painter who takes on the world against all odds. But this is done with a twist. It all takes place in the 1950s in very Catholic parochial school Ontario.

Ralph (Adam Butcher) is a brazen but cute 14-year-old student fighting the system but inwardly grieving his Dad, who died in the recent war (WW2)and his extremely ill mother who lies in a coma in the hospital. This is never sentimentalized, his exchanges with his mother before she slips into her coma are beautifully written and believable.

How he cobbles together his faith and goes out to seek a miracle is the crux of the story but there are many lovely sidebars, his almost-girlfriend who wants to be a nun, his best friend who forges notes for him, a fun loving nurse, played by the never disappointing Jennifer Tilly, squeaky voice in place and some disbelieving factory workers who mock his attempts at athleticism.

Ralph is a fully developed character, his sinful side clashing consistently with his puritanical, self-punishing side, his innate flirtatiousness offset by his being picked upon by the older boys in his school. Adam nails the role to such a degree that one forgets he is acting.

A younger priest (Campbell Scott plays this beautifully) with a secret past agrees to help the young boy and Gordon Pinsent plays the part of the older rigid priest with conviction even though he has some thin dialogue to sink his teeth into – the movie's only weakness.

The sexuality content is handled well and honestly with none of that gruesome teenage guffawing that litters other movies of this ilk. Because of this content it would not be suitable for children which is a shame, but it is not gratuitous and is an intrinsic part of the Catholic sin quotient of the era. 8 out of 10. A marvelous, thoughtful film.

Be inspired...

[pjsoptional · 9/10 · 20 April 2005]

I'm not a catholic, certainly not a saint, and can hardly even call myself a jogger, but I found this movie wonderfully inspiring, witty and enjoyable from start to finish. I was thoroughly impressed with Adam Butcher's performance; he portrayed young Ralph's emotions (and the struggles of youth) so genuinely that he brought tears to my eyes during several scenes. A truly uplifting message in the film, brought home with brilliance. The producers were able to turn back the clock on Hamilton in a convincing way, with the appropriate prudishness of dress and behaviour for the private catholic school community in the mid-'50s. The sound track / score was excellent as well.

Wonderful Film with 1950's Canadian Schoolboy Theme

[imxo · 9/10 · 5 August 2005]

Saint Ralph is a throwback to the wonderful films of the 1940's and 50's in which hope springs eternal, no matter the roadblocks that one may encounter along the way. However, it's never corny. It is a film with a lot of wry, gentle humor, especially for those who may have gone to parochial schools when they were staffed primarily by nuns, brothers, and priests. My wife tells me that all over the theater men of a certain age could be heard chuckling at the familiar scenes from their youth.

Lots of references pop into my head as I think about this film. I can't help but recall "Chariots of Fire", British schoolboy movies, and even "Catcher in the Rye." I believe this Canadian film could only have been made in an English-speaking Commonwealth country, possibly Britain, but certainly Canada or Australia. It's pretty definite, however, that this kind of film could never have been made in the U.S. There is a certain sensibility that we south of the Canadian border seem to have lost forever.

This movie is not perfect, but it certainly ranks as one of the most satisfying films I've seen in a very long time. The cast is uniformly good, the writing is spot on, and there is even a period of real suspense. I most heartily recommend this movie.

I really, really like this movie!

[TxMike · 24 April 2006]

Not many Canadian movies make it all the way to my DVD player, but invariably they are a cut above most Hollywood movies. This is one of the better ones. The writing and acting are so good, every bit of this movie is captivating. It would be hard to find one false step. And, having been a kid myself in the 1950s, and receiving some Catholic education, I can also say it is very authentic for the period.

Previously an unknown to me, young Adam Butcher gives an award quality performance as Ralph Walker, a high school freshman in 1953 whose father is deceased and his mother is in the hospital. Although he is home alone, he has a friend with good penmanship write notes from has grandparents who supposedly are staying with him. He is a reprobate of sorts, smoking cigs every chance he gets and often confessing his various sins of the heart and "personal abuse." But Ralph loves his mother, visits her every day at the hospital, and is of course very distraught when mom lapses into a coma. The nurse (Jennifer Tilly) tells him, "It will take a miracle to get her out of the coma."

Campbell Scott is excellent as Father George, one of Ralph's teachers who coincidentally happened to be a top marathon runner in 1936, and who teaches cross country. Ralph joins the cross country squad as a way to earn the pain of penance, hoping his reformed life and prayer will result in the miracle that will heal his mother. Fr. George casually mentions the Boston Marathon in a few months, as a joke, but Ralph takes it seriously. Expressing an interest to Fr. George, who replies, "It would take a miracle for you to win Boston." Ralph puts his and the nurse's comments together, if he can win Boston, that would be the miracle that would heal his mother.

Not allowing anyone to dissuade him, Ralph is a pathetic runner but vows to train harder than anyone else. The very strict school master Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent) tries to put a stop to it, "A boy needs to know his place in life", but Fr. George reluctantly and in defiance agrees to coach Ralph. Meanwhile mom lies in a coma with no signs of improvement.

MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW. Ralph wins a local race around the lake, surprising everyone but himself. Still, Boston will be a whole different story. He enters, one of the boys locks himself into the media room at school and plays the radio broadcast of the race. Near the end Ralph hangs on and runs nip and tuck with last year's Boston winner, but is nipped at the tape. Ralph finishes second, believes he has failed. But he receives a warm hero's reception at school, even the admiration of strict Fr. Fitz. He even gets the girl who had said she would become a nun. Then, his mom came out of her coma, even finishing second in Boston was a miracle!

Hard to dislike

[bandw · 7/10 · 29 April 2006]

It would be hard to dislike this sentimental story of young Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher), a fourteen year old attending a Roman Catholic boys' school in Ontario in 1954. Ralph's mother is suffering from an unspecified illness in a local hospital and is in what appears to be a permanent coma. In fact she is so bad off that only a miracle could bring her back. Ralph takes this literally and believes that by effecting a personal miracle he can bring his mother out of her coma. One of the Fathers at the school remarks that it would be a miracle if Ralph were to win the Boston Marathon, and that is the miracle Ralph seizes on.

This movie is one more installment in the canon of sports movies where one achieves a goal through persistence in overcoming many obstacles, and there are many obstacles to Ralph's achieving his dream, not the least of which is that he is somewhat of a wimp. For certain reasons Father Fitzpatrick, the school's headmaster, has forbidden Ralph to participate in even training for the Marathon, or running in any public race. But *fortunately* the cross country coach, who just happens to have been Canada's premier marathon runner in a previous life, identifies with Ralph's goal and, in defiance of the headmaster, agrees to coach him. But other obstacles abound: Ralph's father is dead and Ralph is living at home alone and being threatened with eviction, the headmaster is trying to put him in a foster home, he burns his house down by accident and barely escapes, he is picked on and made fun of at school and in the community for being caught masturbating in the local swimming pool, and so on.

But, when executed well, the formula works. This movie goes down smoothly due primarily to Butcher's winning performance and Campbell Scott's portrayal of the sympathetic Father Hibbert. Their relationship rings true and forms a core of the movie along with Ralph's budding relationship with Claire, a would-be nun who finds a way to rationalize her attraction to Ralph. Jennifer Tily's appearance as Ralph's mother's nurse adds some color. Gordon Pinsent's role as headmaster seems excessive in its sternness, but I am led to understand that his personality is not at all out of the realm of the believable.

There are some beautifully filmed scenes of Ralph running against various backgrounds accompanied by inspiring music. I imagine this movie was a shot in the arm for the sport of distance running.

A comment by Father Hibbert poses a question for us as to whether, or how often, we have made a sacrifice to take a risk to satisfy a passion, with consequences unknown?

Some things just don't work. Ralph is occasionally visited by direct communications with God, personified here as Ralph's father in a Santa Claus suit. I doubt that the intent was to identify a belief in Santa with a belief in God, but that is what I came away with. Ralph's belief in a miracle seemed incongruous with his having been initially presented as a precocious, independent-thinking, resourceful, and savvy kid. The scene where Ralph literally flies while running, probably being a metaphor for the "runner's high," struck me as adding an unnecessary fantastical element. Ralph did not look to have a world class runner's form except in long shots where they must have used a double.

About half way through this I began to think about how it was going to end. For Ralph to win the Boston Marathon and have his mother revive would be a stretch, even for such a sentimental movie. But having Ralph lose and his mother not revive would definitely be too much of a downer. So, the ending is the only logical one.

Take Your Family and Go See This Movie!

[gbbetts · 10/10 · 17 April 2005]

Saint Ralph is a triumph. It approaches the "inspirational" movie genre (think everything from Rocky to Chariot's of Fire) but manages to evoke a genuine and unique flavour in the form. It is fresh, original, funny, and extremely moving. The characters are well developed, the plot intriguing and inviting, and the dialogue simply priceless. People literally clapped in the theatre; more than half hung around for all of the credits, and groups were huddled around posters seeking more information about the film.

My favourite detail: I was simply astonished at the music score for the climatic scene. Gord Downie's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is breathtakingly beautiful, and perfectly set. Adam Butcher, playing Ralph, in the scene transcends the child-actor role. His face displays an exquisite complexity of emotions, chilling and sublime, while Downie sings. Truly marvelous.

The premise, by now, is familiar: a boy's mother falls into a coma, and he believes a miracle will awaken her. The movie positions itself in that delicious but awkward transition between boyhood innocence and adulthood stoicism or cynicism. Ralph is a child, becoming a man, learning the limits of his own body, his mother's body, and all the while confronting adults inability to imagine or dream. He dream's on and takes the audience on a sweet journey that will rekindle your fire. It truly is an inspirational film, without being sappy or relying on overwrought clichés.

A truly promising start for Michael McGowan, a new Canadian filmmaker.

Great portrayal in the young priest

[rkhen · 7/10 · 11 September 2017]

Others have already reviewed this film in depth. In brief: I agree with the general opinion that this is a nice little picture that's old-fashioned in several ways, most of them positive, a few a little embarrassing. But it's well worth the watch, and with its large-audience appeal and loving attention to Canadian detail, a welcome addition to the Canadian oeuvre.

I just want to draw particular attention to one truly break-out performance: that of Campbell Scott as the young priest. This is probably the most realistic portrayal of an actual young teaching priest I've ever seen in the movies. Generally directors either go with sticky-sweet or spuriously bitter and cruel (c.f., the school director in this film). But in real life, most of the young priests I've known are like Scott's: sardonic, sincere, bold, a little bored, comfortable with their students, game, and apparently (or overtly) wondering if they've chosen the wrong life path.

It's worth watching this movie just to see Scott and his director nail this character. Also: props to the production crew for getting the priestly vestments right. Clergy don't dress like that any more, but they totally did then, and it was a major part of their presence.

Athletic determination of a spirited boy against a backdrop of pathos.

[SpaceComics · 10/10 · 6 August 2005]

Clearly the best movie out this month (July/August 2005 - I've seen most of them). The easiest way to tell you about it is to compare it to similar movies, and the first that came to mind were Lucas (Corey Haim) and Rudy (Sean Astin). What Saint Ralph shares in common with these films is the extreme athletic determination, against all odds, of a spirited boy from a pathetic background. And it's the best of it's kind since Rudy (1993), at least, and in my opinion since Lucas (1986).

Ralph (Adam Butcher) is a naughty but naive 14-year-old boy, ready to take almost everything literally, now faced with the paradox of faith. His widowed mother is apparently dying in the hospital, and falls into a coma early in the story. A doctor says it will take a miracle to wake her.

Ralph is an interesting character, his even blend of pure and impure motives providing both the humor that make the film entertaining, and the realism that make it believable. His self-abuse in every sense defines the term, from the usual meaning to literally sanding his knees to pray in a pan of alcohol, the latter recommended by his girlfriend, who aspires to be a nun.

When his Catholic school's cross country coach says it would be a miracle if anyone on his team won the Boston Marathon, Ralph's literal mind seizes a fallacious opportunity. If he wins the Boston Marathon, it would be a miracle, and that's what his mother needs to survive. Most of the movie is about his training to run that race, both physical and spiritual, with the help of a priest (Campbell Scott), a nurse (Jennifer Tilly), and his girlfriend (Tamara Hope).

The blend of comedy and pathos is effective, the film kept entertaining by the comedy in the foreground, while the fact that Ralph's mother is dying keeps us interested in the outcome and rooting for the boy. Even if you don't like running or sports in general, the life at stake, or at least the boy's faith at stake, makes this race important.

There may be a bit too much sexual comedy for most parents to let small children see. For instance, after Ralph's caught in a venal sin in the swimming pool, that involved spying on the girl's locker room, he tells his mother "It was really an accident. The manufacture of the pool was faulty." The incident becomes a running joke, demonstrating Ralph's character trait of not caring what other people think. He later says they didn't really need to drain the pool (I'm not going to explain that, you've got to see it, but it was funny). But it's not as crude as other current comedies like The Wedding Crashers and The Bad News Bears.

I recommend Saint Ralph specifically to anyone who liked Lucas or Rudy, and generally to anyone old enough to take the humor maturely.

Thematically effective and emotional despite writing flaws

[GummoRabbit · 6/10 · 5 September 2011]

I believe some people, especially the authors of the raving reviews, let the "feel-goodness" of this movie wash over some of its many flaws. So here, I try to offer a more objective review, if such a thing is possible. I will avoid circumlocution with a simple pro and con contrast.

Pros: Themes of hope and faith in spite of the odds. Spicing up a classic storyline with religious identification. Hilarious, mostly believable, comedic scenes that didn't distract from the drama and sentiment. Childhood innocence. Pre-teen romance, mostly Ralph's attitude and ways of dealing with it.

Cons: Unrealistic explanations regarding why Ralph was left unsupervised and unaccounted for in a house to himself for such a long period. Unrealistic ability to train for a professional race, especially given the time frame. Overused storyline: Typical feel-good competition movie with its ups and downs and eventual happy self revelation. Some unrealistic dialogue: Some of the pre-teen and priest conversations. Unrealistic social interactions: Major support for Ralph in the race, bullies' immediate turnaround in compassion for Ralph, continued negligence of Ralph, and senior father's dedicated suppression of Ralph's goal.

Despite some of these writing flaws, the film was still entertaining and emotionally moving. I personally wouldn't venture to call this movie inspiring, but more of an examination of the state of inspiration, which was powerful enough to shed a tear or two.

Knowing one's saints

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 19 December 2007]

Ralph Walker, the young man at the center of this story, gets more than his share of bad situations at a tender age. Ralph, who has lost his father, sees his own mother struck by a serious illness and watches her go into a coma. Ralph's spirit is never broken and never questions his bad luck the way some other teen would. Ralph is never given to despair, or emotional outbursts when he can't do much to help the situations he is thrown into. Ultimately, Ralph is a real winner, not only because he decides to do something about his life, but because he is an optimist at heart who will never be defeated.

Michael McGowan, the Canadian creator of this enormously appealing film has gathered the right elements to make us go with him in this fantastic voyage that shows us the positive side of life. Mr. McGowan was lucky in getting Adam Kutcher to portray Ralph Walker. This young actor shows us he is a natural who under the guidance of the director, gives a tremendous performance and steals our hearts in the process.

"Saint Ralph" is one of the best things that have come out of Canada in recent years. Campbell Scott gives a good performance as Father Hibbert, the man who guides Ralph in the right direction. The excellent Gordon Pinsent, makes the perfect head master Father Fitzpatrick, a man who is never in touch with the young people he is supposed to lead and help shape their minds into being good citizens. Jennifer Tilly, Tamara Hope, Shauna MacDonald, and Michael Kaney, are also seen in key minor roles.

The film is highly recommended because it gives the viewer a positive take on life. Michael McGowan must be congratulated in giving us a movie that will be hard to forget because it feels real from beginning to end.

Fun, reminiscent of the Wonder Years TV show

[pc95 · 7/10 · 18 December 2005]

This is an enjoyable little story sort of bringing together a tale about sports, adolescence, life, and Christianity. Anyone Catholic or with some Catholic upbringing will identify with Ralph's plight better. The whole cast does a good job. There are both some funny and touching moments throughout the light-hearted trek for a boy trying to deal with his mother being in a coma. Unfortunately there are also some things that the movie could've done without. The soundtrack got a little too sentimental and overused at times. Miracles and religion sometimes felt over-discussed. At 98 min it actually feels a lot longer. The lead actor helps hold the movie with an odd quirkiness. It was sort of like a mix between a Wonder Years episode and Lucas with Corey Haim but with a religious background. OK for a rental....

Very bland and unrealistic

[annabanani · 5/10 · 3 February 2007]

After reading some of the reviews on this site, I decided to watch this movie. Now, I am not a die-hard fan of sappy movies, but I enjoy an occasional tearjerker. I expected this movie to be innovative, and maybe even have a twist to is as it has received such rave reviews, but it was nothing short of disappointing.

The movie, in short, is about a rebellious boy who's father has passed away and his mother is in the hospital. He believes he can perform the miracle of waking is mother from a coma by winning a race.

The movie is very bland, there is nothing original about the plot and the ending is exactly what I expected it to be. It was semi-entertaining, but did not evoke any strong emotion. One could not really relate to the main character, he was just "some guy" to me. In addition, the story was extremely unrealistic and typical. By saying it is unrealistic, I don't mean that nobody could ever wake someone up from a coma by winning a race because that is debatable, but because the amount of time this boy trained for this marathon and the times he received seemed to be pulled out of the air. The social response to this boy was also completely irrational.

If you're just looking for something to keep you entertained for an hour or so and you find this movie lying around, then i wouldn't advise you not to pick it up and watch it. I would, however, not advise you to go to great lengths to see it.

Terrific family film

[screentime · 9/10 · 13 September 2006]

Reminded me of two things -- one when I was in Catholic school, and two being a young teenager. Very few films combine religion with real people living real lives. Most films that seem to touch on anything concerning faith come off preachy. This one doesn't in the least. You can't help rooting for and liking the main character. The film is kinda like a family version of Rocky concerning a kid who runs the Boston Marathon to try and wake his coma ridden mother via a miracle. The miracle being a fourteen year old even running in the marathon yet alone trying to win it. The father/coach played by Cambell Scott assures him it would be one of the biggest miracles of all time!

Saint Ralph captured me

[olehenry1 · 10/10 · 2 February 2007]

My summary should be taken to mean that I am that little boy, or at least I was years ago. I was surprised at how closely I could identify with the lifestyle of Ralph and with his expressions concerning his experiences.

I too grew up in a god-centered universe, one which attempted to impose values for no other apparent reason than short-term control over my actions. I am atheist now, thanks in some part I feel, to that over-bearing presence.

I deeply enjoyed the acting of Father H because of his portrayal of a contemplative yet self-restricting do-gooder. Deeply enjoyed the acting of Father F because of his portrayal of a man closely guarding his perspective by limiting the creative output of those around him, meanwhile exposing his self-hatred with miniature explosions of emotion. Whew, powerful men! And deeply enjoyed Ralph, who caused in me bursts of laughter as he discovered with an open mind -- beautiful!

Given the "type" of movie, I can easily say my 10/10 vote reflects a straight forward opinion -- I mostly demand consistently portrayed characters, and then simply hope for a good story. But I must admit, that I was partial due to my close association with the experiences of Ralph, a hero!

Finally a worthwhile sports film!

[jkalvin-1 · 18 December 2008]

This film is a captivating coming of age story about a young boy named Ralph and his search for a miracle so that his mother will come out of her coma. Ralph is a boy trying to figure his place in life while getting into embarrassing situations that all preteens and teens can relate to.

While Ralph's mother is hospitalized she slips into a coma and the nurse tells Ralph that it would take a miracle for his mother to recover. This sends Ralph on his journey in search for a miracle. He soon finds it when he is told that it would be a miracle for anyone from his cross-country team to win the Boston marathon. Ralph's purpose then becomes to train and win the Boston marathon.

Ralph's naive behavior is endearing and is one of the main reasons why you cheer for him throughout his struggle. While faced with being the awkward kid in his class and someone every just pokes fun at Ralph learns and grows into a character filled with depth.

This may seem like any other sports film where you follow the underdog, it is done in such a unique way, that you are aching to see the outcome. Witt is placed throughout the film through dialog and situations, which allow the film's serious undertone to vanish, even if for a few seconds.

One of the details that I love about this film is the use of the saints. The film is broken down into different chapters, which are titled by the saint that they represent, such as the saint of fire prevention. This detail becomes more humorous the second time the film is seen.

Even though the religious aspect is a little in your face, it is necessary to the film. You are able to sympathize with Ralph, who is trying to understand religion and his place in the world, by better understanding the religious and political pressures that the priests are forcing onto young Ralph.

This is one of the few sports films that is not just about the sport. In fact, the sport has very little to do with the film. The film is mainly about Ralph and the lessons he learns growing up his town, which allows this sports film to reach a deeper level that can be enjoyed by sports lovers and non-sports lovers alike.

Inspirational movie

[ninoguapo · 6/10 · 21 January 2007]

I really liked "Saint Ralph ". It is great movie full with inspiration. Ralph is a fourteen years old teenager who chooses to chase his own miracle – winning the Boston's marathon. He believes that since people say that such achievement will be a miracle – his mother will wake up from the coma. It is a drama movie and as such there are quite a few scenes which can evoke emotions in its viewers.

The movie starts with a fun scene in which Ralph is having something to confess – what – well he is a teen and have teen " sins " . I like the attitude of Ralph – the way he handles girls for example, or accusations …etc. He is a cute kid as well – and probably one of the reasons for me liking this movie is that I somehow relate to him.After all I have been in the Cross Country Team while studding in the States and when I was his age I took part in many running competitions. You should have seen me watching this movie, as another reviewer (samurai2347) wrote "I was cheering Ralph on as much as the other characters in the film were." The soundtrack was really good – and the music contributed to the overall good impression that the movie leaves. Looking at the storyline – I find similarities with Billy Elliot, trough of course this movie has its own uniqueness.

Pleasant Canadian Comedy

[Proud_Canadian · 8/10 · 12 September 2004]

was pleasantly surprised by Saint Ralph. It's a Canadian film about a 14 year old boy who goes to Catholic School in 1950's Hamilton. It stars Campbell Scott, Gordon Pinsent, Adam Butcher, Shauna MacDonald and was directed by Michael McGowan. It's about a Ralph Walker who's mother is sick in hospital and who's father died long ago. He is a smooth operator, sort of an Eddie Haskell type with the adults but a complete loser with his peers. When his mother goes into a coma he's told that only a miracle would wake her up. He is forced to join the track team as punishment where the coach, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott) jokes about there only being 6 months until the Boston Marathon. When Ralph asks if the team is going to run in Boston, Father Hibbert tells him he was only joking and that it would be a miracle if anyone on the team won the Boston Marathon. Thus, Ralph becomes committed to the idea of winning the Marathon and getting the miracle so his mom will wake up. In the way is Father Fitzpatrick (played by Gordon Pinsent) the head of the school who feels that chasing miracles borders on blasphemy. There is a mix of comedy and drama and the ending is a bit of a heart-tugger but I enjoyed this film. Note, I would not bring children under 12 to see it since there is a scene in the pool where Ralph accidentally sees into the women's change room and at the same time encounters a water jet which causes him to lose control. There is also some smoking and drinking by Ralph and a few swear words. It sort of reminded me of Heaven Help Us but funnier and more poignant. Adam Butcher was quite funny and earnest while Campbell Scott is always solid and Gordon Pinsent is one of Canada's best kept acting secrets. Even if you aren't Canadian it was a nice popcorn film 7.5/10.

sincere religious charm

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 12 September 2015]

It's 1953. Ralph Walker is a student at St. Magnus Catholic School in Hamilton, Ontario. He's obsessed with sex, gets picked on and tries smoking. He's a regular 14 year old. He asks Claire Collins out but later she cancels by telling him that she wants to be a nun. His sick mother is in the hospital taken care of by nurse Alice (Jennifer Tilly). His father died in the war. He lives at home alone by lying to everybody. Strict headmaster Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent) conscripts him to run cross country coached by Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott). After his mother falls into a coma, Alice tells him that she needs a miracle. So he sets about to performing a miracle by winning the Boston marathon.

This has an innocent kind of religious charm. The comedic touches are there but they don't always hit it out of the park. The kid is OK and everybody do their jobs. The sincere straight forward ending with the Boston marathon threw me off originally. Upon some consideration, it gives the movie a magic realism that works. It is so sincere that the movie satisfies in a deeper way.

fantastic

[gary-elrick · 10/10 · 30 January 2006]

I'm be no means a film buff but this movie was totally extraordinary, a really feel good movie in every way, I'm being as honest as i totally can and i can only say watch and enjoy and feel good,all the actors in this movie were outstanding ,even though I'm not a catholic and the movie is based on the catholic faith , it does not put you off the movie or even put you off any religion, it only makes you feel good , the only surprise for myself was it was never released at the cinemas, maybe in the USA but was definitely not released in the UK, pity as this could have been one of the biggest surprises of 2004/2005.

Gary

A real coming-of-age-story with an unpredictable ending, but good.

[tonyray1998 · 10/10 · 14 May 2006]

I am an English teacher. And, I like to joke that I am "gooder" than most. Saint Ralph caught me off-guard. I think it was the mix of the story and the music. The music was so perfect. It focused (did I spell that rite? Ha!) me to what is happening in the movie.

I use it to teach The Hero's Journey. I have 75-100 students a semester. No one has said this movie sucks, is bad, is boring, is lame, is blah. I was shocked to learn that many (20+) bought it for their own collection! My students are basically poor and Hispanic. I teach at Santa Teresa High School, New Mexico. We are located less than 3 miles from the Mexican border, a "bedroom" community of El Paso, Texas. My students are 94% "poor" and 98% Hispanic. They "get" the story of the movie, they follow the hero's journey, and they love the film.

I hope to see more of these actors.

Tony Ray

Lovely film

[kasperlykkelarsen-12191 · 5/10 · 17 August 2019]

Its a good movie A bit werid at the end, i wish the film was longer I never pickup the ending

Saint Ralph A Breath of Fresh Air

[1vpope · 9/10 · 9 August 2005]

I was lucky enough to see this movie at a screening in Los Angeles in late July. The movie is beautifully written and paced. It is a wonderfully evocative movie of how God can use even the most imperfect of us to bring about change in our lives and the lives of others. Make no mistake, this is a movie that connects with all ages groups, without using the cheap overly sentimental tricks you are used to seeing. Although the rating is PG-13 for a very brief nude scene and some typical boyish behavior for teens of the 1950's, it is a family movie about personal and family values. The movie is uplifting. And although the movie lacks the things that appeal most to American audiences--violence, endless profanity, mindless stupid flag waving, a predictable plot that any 3 year could hang with-- please try to give the movie a chance anyway. Who knows, maybe the American public will surprise us all and respond positively to something other than movies from the sewer.

The look and feel of a Good Will Hunting

[gordco · 9/10 · 16 April 2005]

This was one of the best movie surprises I have had in a couple of years. There's been a lot of chatter about Catholics and religion, but that really has little to do with the central theme. The only religious aspect is that the central character happens to go to a Catholic boys school. The religious surroundings could be replaced with any surroundings that might be familiar to each and every one of us.

This story is really about faith and desire that stems from a person with a very strong spirit. Although it's about a young lad who wants to win the Boston Marathon, the theme is intangible with any of our own desires to accomplish something, which at first, may appear to be, seemingly unfathonable.

The photography, and acting was solid, and the writing was refreshingly original.

It's too bad that a great movie like this has not yet found the path to mainstream distribution. It wasn't made by Hollywood, and it wasn't made by one of the oligopoly conglomerates like Sony. It will probably take a while until the word gets out, but the word will get out. We had to go to a little theatre that shows off the mainstream films.

Good Running Gordco