FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

alexandershekhtman I read many reviews on this movie, however, I could not find one that speaks about life lessons. One life lesson is sometimes certain people are just dismissed and/or waived off as though they are not important or will never amount to anything. The principal of Ralph's school seemed way too strict to the point of crushing the soul of anyone who exhibited individuality or a passion for succeeding at something. Another life lesson is that sometimes one has to place his own existence and well-being on the line for another. One of the teachers went against the principal's "command" not to be involved with Ralph's "dreams" and "miracle searching." Another life lesson is you never know what a person is really like on the inside until you talk with them about their hopes, dreams, passions, etc. Ralph seemed like the typical trouble maker, but deep down inside all he ever wanted was for his mom to get out of her coma and eventually out of the hospital. If Ralph existed in real life, and I was a teen, I would welcome him as a close friend, who I could trust with my deepest thoughts. As a final comment, if you look at the birth date of Butcher, it would make him 16 during the filming of Saint Ralph. He looks very young for 16, but I still prefer the age of the character to be the same age in real life.

swedeboi The movie is set at a Catholic boarding school in Hamilton, Ontario, and recounts the story of a young kid who seeks a miracle to help his mom who is in a coma. The miracle he selects is highly improbable, winning the Boston Marathon. Many obstacles are placed in his path, not the least being his youth and his authoritarian headmaster. What happens in the race must remain hidden to you. Don't even THINK about reading a review with a spoiler alert.Others have said it. I will reiterate it. Saint Ralph (2004) will make you laugh and make you cry. An early scene, followed by what is best described as sight-gag scenes based on it, will have you laughing. The climactic scene, accompanied by a song that must have been selected by a genius, will have you in tears no matter who you are. Laugh and cry...really, what more can a movie do? Well, in this case, a lot.Every aspect of the movie justifies its overwhelmingly favorable IMDb rating. The cinematography is crisp and colorful. The settings are perfect. The acting is superb. The musical selections are ideal.Fourteen year-old Adam Butcher, who plays the lead role as Ralph, is just superb. You couldn't find a more likable young actor in all of Canada. (Adam would go on to even greater acting achievements, most notably in Dog Pound in which he powerfully plays the role of a disaffected and temper-prone teen trying to survive in a juvenile detention facility...another must-see.) The other characters in Saint Ralph are excellent as well, especially Gordon Pinsent as the headmaster and Gordon Campbell as the priest who coaches Ralph.The bottom line is this. The acting in this film holds your interest from start to finish. The musical selections are extraordinarily fitting. The movie spans the spectrum of human emotions. And, most importantly, the movie leaves you feeling fulfilled.

KexUK In a world of compromises and contradictions it is always joyously refreshing to watch a story unfold that disarms the contradictions and denies the compromises. So do not watch this film if you are surrounded by the clouds of comforting complacency. It is a beautiful story that challenges the ugliness of cynicism and predictable ritualised religion and the intransigence of 'adult thought patterns'.. It is well filmed, well directed and outrageously well acted.There are some incredible performances, given the genre and the whole film has that 'so believable' quality about it. It's just the kind of scenario you could imagine happening in your own street (one must allow for the period in which it is set). I bought it as a 'cheap offer DVD' a few years ago. I needed to watch it again tonight for the sheer refreshment of watching something that made my heart and mind both joyful and optimistic. It is one of my most used films for that purpose.

dlowery This is simply a beautiful movie of a 14 year old boy, dealing with some huge life problems. It centers around his love for his mother, and for the Catholics in the audience, a nostalgic trip back to problem resolution in the 50's Catholic church.This picture is a gem for those who want to feel good about life after watching it. The casting is wonderful, and photography tops. The screenplay perfectly captures and illuminates the many complexities of growing up. My wife and I have watched it twice, and cried each time. Simply a wonderful movie.