Sentimental drama about alcoholism promotes perseverance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
a lot
Alcoholism is a major theme of the movie; Sharon has an alcohol dependency (as did her mother), and she's shown drinking beer and wine in multiple scenes.
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It's important to have compassion and empathy for others and the courage to do the hard tasks necessary to help those in need. Perseverance can help you accomplish big, seemingly impossible goals for the good of others.
Positive Role Models
some
Sharon admits that she has suffered, mentally and emotionally, from her rough upbringing that was fueled by her mother's abuse and alcohol dependency. Sharon also has an alcohol dependency and blames herself for her poor relationship with her son. But despite her flaws, she starts repairing her relationship with herself and her son by attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. She initially tries to "fix" herself by helping Ed and his sick daughter, Michelle, who's in need of a liver transplant. But eventually she helps them not just to help herself, but to genuinely assist those in need. She shows empathy and compassion for the family and goes above and beyond to help them with their medical debt, finances, and more.
Diverse Representations
very little
Sharon is a moderately complex female lead, and the film was written by two women, but there's little positive representation beyond that. Tamala Jones co-stars as Sharon's friend/employer, Rose, but she's mostly there to be the "Black best friend," and doesn't have much to her beyond talking about work or being a sounding board for Sharon. One scene in particular stands out as reinforcing the clichéd, regressive nature of this dynamic: The after-hours bit in the salon when Rose washes Sharon's hair while the two talk about Sharon's problems. Having a Black woman act in a subservient (if ostensibly friendly) way to a White female lead, while also being that character's emotional conscience, feels antiquated. The only other Black people in the film are Rose's family members, and they don't have many lines and aren't fleshed out in any way.
Parents need to know that Ordinary Angels is a drama based on the true story of Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank), a woman with a history of addiction who helps a family in need beat the odds and receive a life-saving liver transplant. The film has Christian undertones but isn't overtly faith-based. While there's little in the way of language, sex, or violence (other than a bit of blood associated with severe illness) to worry about, the story revolves around alcoholism and the often harsh effects of that disease. Despite Sharon's flaws, she's a positive example of empathy, compassion, and perseverance and is a moderately complex female lead. But her relationship with her Black best friend, Rose, reinforces the clichéd "Black best friend" dynamic. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
This is the best movie I have seen in a very long time! Powerful positive messages. There is one bar scene at the beginning of the movie, which sets the tone for Sharon's struggle's with alcohol. In a later scene, a young girl coughs up blood and the adults clothing is stained. This is a tearjerker. Seeing how simple yet extravagant giving can impact lives is so beautiful, would highly recommend!
This movie is based on a true story. Absolutely superb acting! You feel for the main characters:”Aunt” Sharon & Ed, all the way through. Absolutely nothing offensive-no foul language, no sex. It’s a great family movie. It’s intense and a bit of peril. The movie does have bar scenes and one of the main characters is an alcoholic, but she tries to overcome the addiction, and you see some of her struggles. Absolutely wonderful!! I’m looking forward to seeing it again! One more thing, bring tissues. You’ll need them.
What's the Story?
ORDINARY ANGELS follows Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank), a hairstylist who struggles with her dependence on alcohol and has a broken relationship with her son. Her life changes when she sees an obituary in the newspaper about the wife of Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson). The piece mentions Ed's youngest daughter, Michelle (Emily Mitchell), who needs a liver transplant. Sharon takes it upon herself to help the family and make their lives better, in the hopes of improving her own as well.
This drama with Christian undertones is engaging enough if you're in the mood for a bit of sentimentality and a happy ending. Put another way, if you're a fan of the Chicken Soup for the Soul films and programming, Ordinary Angels will likely be just your cup of tea. Swank gets to chew the scenery as Sharon—though her characterization may remind viewers of another Southern "won't take no for an answer" character, Sandra Bullock's Leigh Anne from The Blind Side. Young Mitchell is compelling as Michelle, and thankfully, both Mitchell and Skywalker Hughes (who plays Michelle's older sister, Ashley) play characters who are written to sound, for the most part, like real children. But Tamala Jones, who plays Sharon's friend/employer, Rose, is underwritten, fitting squarely into the regressive "Black best friend" cliché by largely serving as Sharon's conscience and emotional guardian. It's one of the downsides to an otherwise inoffensive and, indeed, heartwarming movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in Ordinary Angels demonstrate perseverance, empathy, and compassion. Why are those important character strengths?
Why does Sharon feel drawn to help the Schmitt family? How does she correct her prior mistakes?
How does the movie portray alcoholism/addiction? What role does Sharon's past play in her dependence?
MPAA explanation:
thematic content, brief bloody images and smoking
Last updated:
August 5, 2024
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By Monique Jones
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