Ordinary Angels, rated PG
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This film is based on a true story about a family facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, that took place in Louisville, Kentucky about thirty years ago. The film, which features strong performances by its two lead characters, was written by Oscar nominee Meg Tilly (Agnes of God), and Kelly Fremon Craig (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.), and was directed by Jon Gunn (The Case for Christ).
The film opens with a baby girl being born to Ed Schmitt, played by Alan Ritchson (Reacher), and his wife Theresa.

***SPOILER ALERT***
A few years later though, Theresa dies from a rare liver disease. Then, to make matters worse, Ed finds out his young daughter, Michelle, played by Emily Mitchell, has the same disease.

Sharon, played by two-time Oscar winner Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don’t Cry), owns a beauty shop, and is an alcoholic. She was married years ago, but her drinking has cost her any relationship with her son. One night, we see her get drunk at a bar. Her friend and co-worker Rose, played by Tamala Jones, takes her home, and in the morning drops her off at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. After that, while buying beer at a grocery store, Sharon sees notice of Theresa’s funeral in the newspaper, which mentions Michelle’s illness. She then drives over to the church and attends the funeral and reception afterwards.
Sharon immediately takes an interest in Ed and his family, especially Michelle. She finds out that hospital bills from Theresa’s illness and the hospital visits and medications for Michelle have put Ed in deep debt – hundreds of thousands of dollars – much more than he can ever repay with his roofing job. Sharon decides to help the family by having a fundraiser at the salon, which raises more than $3,000 for them. But Ed is a proud man. He thanks Sharon, but says that he, his mother Barbara, played by Nancy Travis, who is living with them, and his two girls don’t need her help. In fact, he kind of resents it.
But Sharon is looking for a purpose in her life. She knows she is broken, battling with alcoholism and broken relationships. But she continues to do things (babysit, assist Ed’s mother Barbara, meet with hospital administrators about the family’s debts, etc.) to help Ed and his family.
Michelle needs a new liver in the next year or she will die. She is on the transplant list, but is number six. Will she be able to get the new liver in time?
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There are no sexuality or language content issues in the film, though the film does deal with the issues of alcoholism, being mad at God, and death. Swank and Ritchson are both very good in their lead roles.
Ordinary Angels is a well-made emotional film based on a true story, and we recommend the film.