Watch The Third Miracle

The Third Miracle is a profound and moving drama film directed by Agnieszka Holland and released in 1999. The movie tells the story of a disillusioned Catholic priest named Frank Shore (portrayed by Ed Harris) who is assigned by his superiors to investigate a possible miracle in a small town in Illinois. The film opens with the death of the Archbishop of Chicago, who is succeeded by a new archbishop, a conservative and bureaucratic man who is determined to cull out any potential controversies from the church. To this end, he sends Frank Shore to a small parish in Illinois to investigate a possible case of sainthood. The case involves a woman named Helen O'Regan, who died many years ago and who is now believed to have exhibited miraculous powers.

Frank is initially skeptical of the case, but as he hears more and more about Helen, he becomes convinced that there is something to it. Helen, he learns, was a Polish Catholic immigrant who lived a hard life, but who was deeply devoted to her faith. After her death, many of the people in her town reported seeing her in visions, hearing her voice, or experiencing other miraculous phenomena. A group of nuns had even collected evidence of her powers in a dossier, which they hand over to Frank.

As Frank investigates the case, he becomes more and more involved in the lives of the people in the town. He befriends a young girl named Roxanne, who claims to have been visited by Helen. He also meets a local man named Carl, who harbors a deep-seated hatred of the Catholic Church. Through his interactions with these people, Frank begins to see the spiritual dimension of their lives, and to feel the weight of the responsibility that he has been given.

As the investigation proceeds, Frank finds that there are many obstacles in his way. His superiors pressure him to speed up the process, despite his misgivings about the authenticity of the case. The Vatican, meanwhile, sends a man named Father Welleman to assist him, but Welleman is a cold and arrogant bureaucrat who seems more interested in advancing his own career than in finding the truth.

Despite these obstacles, Frank perseveres in his investigation, and eventually makes a discovery that will change everything. The film takes a turn in its final act, and becomes a meditation on faith, doubt, and the meaning of miracles.

Sofia Polanska, Pavol Simon, and Ivan Lukac are all outstanding in their supporting roles, with Polanska in particular delivering a powerful and nuanced performance as the young girl Roxanne. But it is Harris who anchors the film as Frank, giving a performance that is both understated and deeply felt. His portrayal of a man wrestling with doubts and questions is powerful and moving, and he conveys a sense of spiritual depth that is rare in contemporary cinema.

The Third Miracle is a beautifully shot film, with strong visual compositions and a gorgeous score by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. But what makes it truly memorable is its exploration of the human soul and the mysteries of faith. This is a film that asks big questions and does not shy away from complexity or ambiguity. It is a film that challenges its audiences to think deeply about their own beliefs and their own relationship to the divine.

In the end, The Third Miracle is a film that remains with you long after the credits have rolled. Its themes of doubt, redemption, and forgiveness are universal, and its portrayal of human frailty and hope is deeply moving. It is a film that deserves a place among the great spiritual dramas of our time.