Set in 1967, THE MIRACLE CLUB follows the story of three generations of close friends, Lily (Maggie Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates), and Dolly (Agnes O'Casey) of Ballygar, a hard-knocks community outside Dublin, who have one tantalizing dream: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, that place of miracles that draws millions of visitors each year. Just before their trip, their old friend Chrissie (Laura Linney) arrives in Ballygar for her mother's funeral, dampening their good mood and well-laid plans. The women set out on the journey that they hope will change their lives, with Chrissie, a skeptical traveler, joining in place of her mother. The glamor and sophistication of Chrissie, who has just returned from a nearly 40-year exile in the United States, are not her only distancing traits: Old wounds are reopened along the way, forcing the women to confront their pasts even as they travel in search of a miracle. Their shared traumas can only be healed by the curative power of love and friendship.
PG-13, 1h 31m.
"Filled with heart and humanity. It is a story of faith and forgiveness, heartbreak and healing, regret and redemption. This magnificent ensemble cast never misses a beat. Four generations of spectacular female performances. Laura Linney is at her best, holding audiences in her hand with effortless poise. Kathy Bates skillfully unveils a bitter sadness. It's a remarkable turn. Agnes O'Casey's heart pours off the screen. The legendary Dame Maggie Smith treats each moment with care and discovery. She is an absolute joy to watch. THE MIRACLE CLUB is a quietly feminist film that honors the invisible labor of women, the complexities of motherhood, and the belief that change is possible, with or without a miracle." – Reel News Daily
"A celebration of friendship and forgiveness served up with warmth and gentle humour." – Screen Daily
"The transcendent performances of this dream cast are alternately hilarious and heartbreaking. We get to see Kathy Bates crooning 'He’s So Fine' in a church talent show, with 88-year-old Maggie Smith shimmying behind her as a backup singer. That alone, dear reader, is worth the price of admission, and then some." – Saturday Evening Post
"A perfect antidote to all the blazing big budget extravaganzas." – The Movie Minute