If you want to see how faith turns around the tide of doom and protects innocent life, seek no further than The Miracle of the Cards. The TV movie by Canadian director Mark Griffiths features the true story of a terminally ill boy whose mother’s faith stands between his life and impending death.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster plays Craig Shergold, the British boy who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in the late 80s. His mother Marion (Catherine Oxenberg) is a woman of strong Christian faith and is confident that God will direct the family to the doctor who would save Craig. As the child goes through treatment for cancer at the hospital, first in Britain and later in America, Marion comes up with an inspirational idea to keep her son’s spirit afloat – get enough get-well cards to form a new Guianese record. And God answers her call!
The Miracle of the Cards carries plenty of assuring and feel-good material – the plot, dialogue, characters, and everything else. It’s a story that inspires to have faith and stay strong in one’s faith in the face of adversity. The fact that it is based on a true story adds to its credibility. But outside preaching faith, the movie is notable for painting a positive picture of humanity. The viewer can see good people coming together as a huge family without borders to give their best to a child and her family.
Catherine Oxenberg playing the protagonist has the meaty role and has done justice to it. Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Craig loots the audience’s sympathy while Kirk Cameron as the reporter Josh covering Craig’s story for his paper and Peter Wingfield as Craig’s dad Ernie have done a decent job in their supporting roles along with others. There are no negative characters in this story and the only glimpse of antagonism shows in a few moments of Ernie losing his faith in Craig’s survival, something his wife’s unwavering faith effectively counters and conquers.
The Miracle of the Cards is a good family movie and recommended for all parents and kids who need hope in their lives; and there are surely are millions out there.
