Greetings again from the darkness. The Grotto of Massabiele in Lourdes, France is a major Catholic pilgrimage site, where each year millions visit to experience the healing powers of the flowing waters. Legend has it that in 1858 the Virgin Mary appeared to a local woman, turning this into a holy site. The healing powers of Lourdes plays a significant role in this film from director Thaddeus O’Sullivan and the film’s co-writers Joshua D Maurer, Timothy Prager, and Jimmy Smallhorne.
It’s unfortunate that the history of Lourdes and the lead performances offer the only points of interest in the film … and what a shame that is. Ballyfermot in 1967 is a rural community on the outskirts of Dublin, and the parish priest, Father Byrne (Mark O’Halloran) has decided to carry on with the local talent show/fundraiser on the heels of the funeral of a beloved local woman. The Grand Prize for the talent show is tickets to the Lourdes pilgrimage, and a multi-generational singing trio of Lily Fox (Oscar winner Maggie Smith), Eileen (Oscar winner Kathy Bates), and Dolly (newcomer Agnes O’Casey) have their heart set on winning the pilgrimage. Each woman has her own need for the miracle cure: Lily has been carrying a burden for too many years, Eileen found a lump on her breast and doesn’t trust doctors, and Dolly is the mother of a young boy who doesn’t speak.
It’s Chrissie’s (Laura Linney) mother who recently passed, and Chrissie has returned to the community for the first time since leaving for Boston forty years ago. What’s readily apparent is that the grudges being held by Lily and Eileen and Chrissie date back to that long ago time, and this is their only chance for reconciliation. But the wounds cut deep, or so we are led to believe. The problem here is that the film dances around the serious and dark psychological subject matter, and wants so much for this to be a heart-warming experience for viewers. And perhaps it will be for those who prefer to sit back and accept what’s given, rather than expect fully developed characters and story lines.
Forty years of secrets and guilt and grudges is too heavy a load for anyone, and these women have relied on faith and religion to carry them through. There are bits and pieces showing the importance and value of friendship, compassion, and forgiveness … although we see the flip side is good, bad, and ugly. The cast is outstanding and responsible for this being watchable, yet mostly we wonder why it remains surface depth.
Sony Pictures Classics plans to release the film in theaters on July 14th.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 
Great review! Yet another movie that I have never heard of but sounds like it could be interesting. The main attraction for me is that star-studded cast. All of these are legendary thespians that have established successful careers. Maggie Smith stands out to me. She’s a brilliant actress that has proven her talents in a wide range of roles. Recently, she was excellent in “Downton Abbey: A New Era”. A legendary actress that seldom disappoints. Here’s why I admired her in “Downton Abbey”: