Ordinary Angels (2024)
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A struggling hairdresser finds a new sense of purpose by rallying her community to save a young girl's life during a medical crisis.
The story
In 1994 Louisville, Kentucky, Sharon Stevens, a hairdresser struggling with her own personal demons, discovers the plight of five-year-old Michelle Schmitt, who desperately needs a liver transplant. Moved by the girl's situation, Sharon decides to dedicate herself to helping the Schmitt family. She begins organizing community efforts to raise the necessary funds to cover mounting medical debts. As she navigates her own journey toward sobriety and reconciliation with her estranged son, she becomes a determined advocate for the family, attempting to navigate the complexities of medical costs and logistical hurdles to ensure Michelle receives the life-saving surgery she needs.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1994 Louisville, Kentucky, Sharon Stevens, a hairdresser and co-owner of a salon, discovers the plight of 5-year-old Michelle Schmitt, who requires a liver transplant. Despite her own struggles with alcohol, Sharon finds a new purpose in helping the Schmitt family. She organizes a 'hair-a-thon' and works with the family's father, Ed, to raise funds and navigate medical hurdles. While Sharon attempts to reconcile with her estranged son, Derek, the situation becomes dire as Michelle's health fails. During a severe winter storm, a liver becomes available, but the girl must reach Omaha within six hours. Despite a closed airport and treacherous roads, Sharon and the community rally together. In a final moment of reconciliation, Derek joins the effort to help. The operation is successful, and the film concludes with a look at Michelle's successful future.
- First release year
- 2024
- Runtime (minutes)
- 118
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jon Gunn
- Writers
- Meg Tilly · writer; Kelly Fremon Craig · writer
- Cast and characters
- Hilary Swank · Sharon; Alan Ritchson · Ed; Nancy Travis · Barbara; Tamala Jones · Michelle
- Genres
- drama; Christian
- Themes
- community
- Tone and mood
- inspiring
- Setting
- Louisville, Kentucky in 1994
- Premise and plot tags
- based on true events; medical drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- true events
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and earned an A+ from audiences.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 57 · scale: 100 · review count: 16; CinemaScore · score: A+ · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- The film was originally scheduled for release in October 2023.; The story was pitched by Dave Matthews.; The film was shot in Winnipeg and Albany.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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