I will admit that had Ordinary Angels not had Alan Ritchson in it (who I love in Titans and Reacher) chances are I would never have given it the time of day! Alan Ritchson posted about this on social media and it made me want to check it out. The more I looked into it, the more interested I became in checking it out.
How to Download Ordinary Angels
Ordinary Angels was released on February 23, 2024. You can expect to be able to download or stream the film from a digital platform about two months after its premiere. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
As well as Alan Ritchson, we also have Hilary Swank and Nancy Travis so the movie is not without its star power. It is set against the backdrop of the 1994 North American Cold Wave, which if I am being honest, I never knew anything about until this movie. It was a brutal cold snap that caused the death of a number of people.
The Plot
Alan Ritchson plays a man called Ed Schmitt. Ed is a widower and he is trying his best and working hard to care for his two daughters. Life is tough for Ed as one of his daughters needs a liver transplant and Ed is pretty much at a loss for how he can get the money and make this happen.
This is where Sharon Steves comes in! Sharon is played by Hillary Swank and she is a feisty and cool hairdresser that decides to do everything that she can to help the Schmitt family. I am a huge fan of Hillary Swank, she does a wonderful job in pretty much everything she is in (even that terrible Karate Kid movie) and she never seems to age!
Setting
It is bad enough that Ed and his family are going through this, but that brutal cold weather is making things even worse. It makes for such a great setting and the fact that this is based on a true story makes it all that more hard-hitting and also uplifting. I will not pretend that I knew anything about this story before I watched the movie, but it did make me interested in learning more about it.
Faith-Based Aspect
Now, this is the part where I tell you that Ordinary Angels is a “faith-based film” and where you tell me, “nope” and that you are out. Well, before you slam the door in my face, hear me out! Yes, this is a faith-based movie, but it never felt like it was preaching about God or anything like that to me.
This is just a really good story about a good person who was willing to do anything that she could to help another good person who was in need. Yes, it is a “faith-based film” but I felt it was more about getting the message across of being good, kind, and helpful to others and that is something we all could do with being reminded of.
Emotional Impact
It tugs on those heartstrings and it can be upsetting, but I also think that this is a very beautiful movie and one that can make you feel good and make you want to do good.
Recommendation
I would not say that Ordinary Angels is the kind of movie I would watch again. However, if you want a good positive story that is going to stick with you and make you want to be a better person yourself, I highly recommend you give this a chance.
