This Canadian made comedy/drama, set in Hamilton, Ontario in 1954, is a sweet and - at times - goofy story that becomes increasingly poignant as the minutes tick by. It's the fictional tale of a wayward 9th grader, Ralph (Adam Butcher), who is secretly living on his own while his widowed, hospitalized mother remains immersed in a coma. Frequently in trouble with Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent), the principal of his all-boys, Catholic school, Ralph is considered something of a joke among peers until he decides to pull off a miracle that could save his mother, i.e., winning the Boston Marathon. Coached by a younger priest and former runner, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), whose cynicism has been lifted by the boy's pure hope, Ralph applies himself to his unlikely mission, fending off naysayers and getting help along a very challenging path from sundry allies and friends.
Acting
Adam Butcher's unhinged sincerity. Campbell Scott's slow thaw.
Direction
McGowan balances Catholic school cruelty with genuine grace notes.
Score
Earnest orchestral cheese that somehow works. Very 2005 Canadian indie.
Director
Michael McGowan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in Hamilton standing in for 1954 Hamilton, which apparently looks identical. The Boston Marathon scenes were filmed during the actual 2003 race with Adam Butcher running among real competitors.
This is peak mid-2000s Canadian cinema — government-funded, modestly budgeted, aggressively sincere. It lost money domestically but became a stealth cable hit stateside, proving Americans will watch anything about Catholic school suffering.
CA
US
