Search - St Tammany Miracle on DVD

Christian Movie, But a Bit Rough Cut

Artist & Author | Near Mt. Baker, WA | 05/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Because one's spiritual life is unseen, it is difficult to portray it in a movie, which is a visual medium. The best one can hope for is that the character's Spiritual beliefs are expressed in wholesome and righteous behavior. In too many movies, a character's Christian activities seems tacked on rather than flowing from a 'Natural Spring' within. This movie does a better than average job of showing the coaches belief and love for her Lord. For example, when she is questioning whether she made the right decision to come to St. Tammany School, she withdraws to a quiet place and prays about it. In several other incidents, she brings up her faith, but only when it seems natural and appropriate.

Unfortunately, there seem to be gaps in the story that makes it flow somewhat roughly. In one incident, the 'bad girl' gets drunk and drives into a teammate. [The great Steve Allen appears as the injured girl's grandfather.] The movie leaves her to recover in the hospital until she suddenly appears in the final game, entering the game from the injured reserve list. One minute she is in a near coma, then playing basketball, with no mention of her recovery. Another part that confused my wife is that the coach and the priest seemed to be mostly at each other's throats in disagreement; then suddenly they become romantically interested in each other. What made them change????

I think one reason this movie is so often included in Christian bookstore DVD selections is because of its overt Christian characters. Many will like that the coach refused to marry a young man who clearly thought he was in love with her because he did not share the depth of Christian faith that she did. In summary, I would say that this movie would be mostly of interest to Christian families who want examples of plainly Christian characters as examples for their children. Just don't expect a polished Hollywood production."