‘Strange Angels’ evaluation: Swank searches for redemption

Whereas the “faith-based movie” has advanced over time, there’s one tried-and-true components this explicit kind of film can’t stop: an unbelievable story a couple of sick youngster in a dangerous scenario starring a well-liked actress (see: Jennifer Garner in “Miracles From Heaven,” Chrissy Metz in “Breakthrough,” and so forth.). In this sort of movie, the drama stays centered on human kindness and group reasonably than on particular beliefs. Non secular organizations supply emotional and materials help to the characters, however primarily exist within the background, so the message isn’t overly preachy. However one must be a monster to withstand the heartstrings-pulling energy of a weak youngster in a very heinous situation.

In “Strange Angels,” directed by Jon Gunn, the maker of 2017’s “The Case for Christ” and producer of 2023’s “Jesus Revolution,” it’s religion in humanity that involves the fore, although a church car parking zone does play a pivotal position on this adaptation of the true story of younger Michelle Schmitt, who was as soon as generally known as the “Snow Child of Louisville.”

However earlier than we get to the snow, we’ve obtained to get to know hairdresser Sharon Stevens, performed by two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank. She wrote a memoir titled “Strange Angels” and Kelly Fremon Craig (“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”) and Meg Tilly wrote the screenplay. Although little Michelle’s unimaginable journey provides the climax of the film, it’s Sharon’s redemption that provides the dramatic arc of the characteristic movie.

We meet Sharon as she’s slamming down pictures and dancing on a bar high in 1993 Louisville, Kentucky, the place her hair is the one factor reaching for the heavens. After one too many nights of arduous consuming, her buddy Rose (Tamala Jones) dumps Sharon at an AA assembly, the place sobriety doesn’t take, however the exhortation to “discover a cause” does. Whereas choosing up a six-pack, Sharon notices a newspaper headline about just a little woman who has misplaced her mom and desperately wants a liver transplant. She turns into obsessively, virtually unusually fixated on how she may also help Michelle Schmitt, exhibiting up unannounced at her mom’s funeral service and bossily inserting herself into the younger woman’s life, a lot to the consternation of Michelle’s stern father Ed (Alan Ritchson), a roofer.

Swank is doing a kind of “Erin Brockovich” factor right here, powering by means of the world with massive hair, greater heels and sheer audacity. For a lot of the movie, you’ll merely be mystified as to why this lady is so taken with Michelle’s plight — her conduct is frankly odd and the character proudly has no boundaries.

The script holds again sure features of her backstory to make use of as reveals, however that technique doesn’t assist us to associate with her emotional journey, because it simply appears weird that she exhibits up on the Schmitt’s doorstep and insinuates herself into their monetary scenario, fundraising for Michelle’s medical payments. Ritchson delivers the one genuine efficiency for the scenario because the befuddled Ed, who objects to Sharon’s fixed meddling, although he can’t flip up his nostril on the cash and favors she pulls along with her bulldog willpower.

Gunn goes for a gritty, dim look to present the movie the air of genuine social realism. Cinematographer Maya Bankovic shoots hospital corridors in low gentle; honky-tonks are bathed in devilish crimson gels. There are some legitimately stunning pictures within the movie: Ed silhouetted towards the fading gentle as he works on a rooftop; the piercing of headlights by means of a blizzard.

Swank is interesting and amusing, decked out in fringe and affecting a twang, however it on no account feels actual; it’s extra of a enjoyable character efficiency. Ritchson, then again, demonstrates a softer, extra expansive facet to the powerful man persona he’s perfected on “Reacher.” Though it’s clear he can stretch farther than what he can do right here, it’s good to see him being forged in heftier roles.

The place “Strange Angels” stumbles is taking one distinctive human curiosity story from 1994 — wherein Louisville rallied round Michelle Schmitt to assist get her a liver transplant throughout a raging blizzard — and making it as an alternative the story of 1 lady, Sharon. The character’s motivations don’t gel and no quantity of Swank moxie could make it work. The true story is an inspiring story of group care and mutual help, the type of factor that feels uncommon, and barely celebrated nowadays. However as normal, actual life is extra affecting, extra nuanced, and sure, stranger than fiction. This can be a story of “Strange Angels,” however sadly, the movie itself is way from extraordinary.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune Information Service movie critic.