Posted: April 13, 2005

Athletics: Saint Ralph and the Boston Marathon

Saint Ralph is more than a film about miracles -- it's a little miracle in its own right.

Written and directed by Michael McGowan, Saint Ralph is as charming, funny and uplifting as Billy Elliot and features as strong a break-out performance from Ontario teen Adam Butcher.

Butcher is Ralph Walker, a ninth grader in 1954 whose father was killed in the war and whose mother is languishing in a cancer ward.

Only a miracle can save Ralph.

Ralph's no runner, but he overhears the phys. ed. teacher Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott) tell his runners it would be a miracle if any of them ever made it to the Boston Marathon. He figures if he can win the Boston Marathon it would be enough to wake his mother from her coma.

Saint Ralph is proudly set in Canada but its themes, humour and pathos are universal.

It's a heartwarming film that celebrates the healing power of innocence and faith.

(This film is rated PG)

Saint Ralph premiered at the Toronto Film Festival where it was sold around the world. Recently is won top prize at the Paris film festival. Any help spreading the word about Saint Ralph would be fantastic. We're battling the Hollywood juggernaut to try and get a box office and the film runs the risk of disappearing from the theatres if people don't go this week. Word of mouth means everything for a film like this.

· To view the trailer go to: www.amazefilm.tv (look for the Saint Ralph link)

· For show times in your city: www.tribute.ca

· Macleans review and profile of the film: www.MacLeans.ca

· Ain't-It-Cool News Review. www.aintitcool.com

· Film Journal International: www.filmjournal.com

· CBC.ca: www.cbc.ca

· To hear the Ebert and Roeper review: Look under section for Toronto International Film Festival and the audio file is included there: www.tvplex.go.com

· For a review from Kids Running.com (an offshoot of Runner's World): www.kidsrunning.com

· Dark Horizons: www.darkhorizons.com.

Michael McGowan is a former Canadian National Team Member in Cross-Country and a 2:18 maarthoner.