The Cokeville Miracle

I have seen many of T.C. Christensen’s films recently. His direction and cinematography are great at conveying religious messages because there is sincerity behind what he does. “The Cokeville Miracle” is his best work to date although I would rate it the same as “17 Miracles” and “Ephraim’s Rescue”. This time however, Christensen tackles the modern world as opposed to the pioneer era. The movie wasn’t perfect but its theme and dramatic scenes were very noteworthy. Some of the acting performances were also very good. The outcome of Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis may not be all that miraculous to some but by the end of this movie, it should be clear that some things are too much of a coincidence to be coincidence.

I have known about this story for about 15 years prior to the release of this movie thanks to the TV show “Unsolved Mysteries” but that was a non-religious perspective. I didn’t even know there was a Latter-day Saint angle to this story until I saw the trailer for “The Cokeville Miracle”. This movie was very historically accurate and that is important for the theme. If there had been any major changes to the plot, it would have hindered the credibility of the true story. I was expecting a non-linear plot going in but I liked the narrative structure that was used instead because it supported the theme in the best way. The opening of the film was perfectly crafted to create suspense. Some films have too much foreshadowing or irony preceding the inciting incident. I thought that “The Saratov Approach” had a few too many such moments for example. “The Cokeville Miracle” however let things play out simply leading up to the entrance of the David Young into the elementary school. One scene that was simply portrayed was the Hartley children leaving for school. However, “The Saratov Approach” had the realism that “The Cokeville Miracle” lacked. I am not saying that Christensen’s film was unrealistic; I just didn’t accept that the scenes were taking place in 1986. I am betting however that either the budget prevented the filmmakers from fully recreating the 80’s or that their focus was more on the story, as it should have been. The humor during the hostage crisis was funny but it sort of disturbed the level of suspense. Also, the child actors seemed too old for the kind of lines they were speaking. Despite this, I can’t judge the filmmakers without knowing the reasons for the decisions they made during production. Another favourite part of the movie for me was the moment of detonation because it surprised even me (this shouldn’t be considered a spoiler because the trailer makes it clear that the bomb goes off).

This brings me to the best characteristic of “The Cokeville Miracle”: the theme. Prayer it seems is deemed invalid in today's society. The more superstitious that religion becomes in the modern world, the less in God we trust and the less we call on him. The separation between church and state is important for religious freedom but that doesn’t mean that a metaphorical wall is to be built between the two. This is represented in the scene at the high school where the students kneel during the crisis. Would you fire that teacher for asking her students to do that? This movie testifies that when we turn to God, big and small miracles are possible. The opening half of the movie is mostly depicted without a religious perspective while the second half recaps the hostage situation so that we can identify all the little miracles that we missed. We also come to find out that the children witnessed a big miracle that saved their lives. Another miracle in the story is the change that Ron Hartley undergoes. His job understandably makes him question his faith but as for me, what some people do to innocent victims testifies to the reality of the Devil and not to the absence of a Heavenly Father. Ron loves his family but his doubt is causing some turmoil in his relationships, the kind that is very typical in real life. He comes to accept the reality of God by way of investigating what happened during the hostage situation. The scene at the church was such a great way of ending the movie. I have never heard a more powerful rendition of “A Child’s Prayer” by Janice Kapp Perry (sorry Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square). Some of the actors in this movie were great, especially Nathan Stevens. Jasen Wade’s performance got better and better as the movie progressed. He did better in this movie than in “17 Miracles”. I recognized Rick Macy pretty easily as the bomb expert because he has been in many past films involving T.C. Christensen. Macy’s lone scene was very well performed I will say.

I may be biased in my comments because I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but at least I admit that I could be biased. It is hard for me to set aside the religion that means so much to me. I would hope that those who read this would at least see the movie to judge it and its theme for themselves. Let it be known though that this movie is accurate to the true story out of respect for the survivors. These children depicted in the movie are now grown but have not changed their stories. I could hear the sobs throughout the theater while watching “The Cokeville Miracle” and I myself shed a tear or two. That is not uncommon though while watching a film made by T.C. Christensen. I know his son Tanner Christensen because I went to university with him. He is the editor and special effects supervisor. Despite the obvious Mormon perspective and style, this movie will touch any humble or open-minded moviegoer. The acting, level of drama and theme are the film’s strongpoints. I want to keep revisiting this movie.

4 Stars out of 5