Movie- Saint Ralph

Saint Ralph (2004) is not an awe inspiring movie that garners a lot of awards and buzz. In some ways it is a bit sappy. But if done well, sappy can sure tug on the heart strings, and be really enjoyable, and this movie is done well.

Starring Campbell Scott and a boy Adam Butcher who plays the title character, the movie tells the story of a boy whose mother is in a coma. He goes to a strict Catholic school and has no other family, and he is anything but a saint. He is just coming into adolescence, and lusts after girls, while engaging in self abuse. He is not a great student, cheats on class assignments and is a good-hearted ne'er-do-well.

But when his mother falls into the coma, he hears that only a miracle would save her, so he tries to make one, by going out with the track team and training to win the Boston Marathon. He also tries to be pure by stopping his self-abuse, a task that he does not face well.

Set in the 1950's, the movie has humor, pathos and really good acting. There is the villain (the headmaster/priest who is an ogre) a hero (Ralph) and a mentor (Scott, playing Father Hibbert, who was an Olympic marathoner in his day). There is even a love interest for young Ralph.

All the elements add up to a very enjoyable flick. Again, not Oscar buzz type of movie, but a really good movie to watch.