Miracle in the Woods (1997)
Quarreled sisters; Sarah and Wanda inherit property from their mother. It has always belonged to the family. Sarah insists on selling it as soon as possible because she has many difficulties. She goes there with her daughter; Gina. Wanda, on the other hand, wants to keep the property in family. They soon discover that it's not abandoned. Old lady, Lilly Cooper has been living there for many years and doesn't want to leave the house, at least, not as long as she can meet her son.
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Truly Dreadful Film
Too much of everything
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny
I think some of our reviewers need to put in perspective the difference between cinema movies and telemovies (at least as telefilms were back before the current explosion of Netflix and other premium services. For a telefilm, this is a pretty decent effort.In terms of the casting, I'd actually give the biggest pat on the back to Anna Chlumsky, who plays 2 characters here -- the daughter of Patricia Heaton's character, and the friend of Della Reese's character. She did a nice job.I was interested in seeing this early role for Patricia Heaton, whom I only knew from "The Middle" and "Everybody Loves Raymond". Again, a nice job.I thought Meredith Baxter's character underwent too much of a change through the teleplay, and had to deal with a flaw in the story line (being super concerned about her husband's legal predicaments to seeming to not be concerned at all).Della Reese was quite good while her character was well, but I wasn't as convinced about her acting once the character got sick.The story line -- possible. Tragic lives happen.The teleplay is not going to bowl you over, but it's very watchable.
With such a wonderful cast I was looking forward to this movie, which didn't disappoint as it started. By half way, the story was set up perfectly, the setting was delightful and the flash backs were well done. Then towards the end, the story began to blunder along like a psychotic drunk, throwing in stunning revelations that were never explained or concluded. Perhaps realising they were out of time, the filmmaker attempted to wrap up the story well before it was finished. By the closing credits it was a very silly movie indeed. The only miracle was that it was put to air. The excellent actors deserve much better fare.
As I watched this film, tears spilled from my third eye. I can give no higher recommendation. I have enjoyed other Anna Chlumsky films in the same vein and they often have me reaching for the tissues.
It's just a formulaic tear-jerker, but Della Reese is wonderful. It's a pity there can't be one of her to act all the time and another one to sing all the time.