Saint Ralph

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Saint Ralph

PG-13

2005

1h 38m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

The year 1954 finds teen outcast Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) getting in trouble at the Catholic school he attends in Ontario, Canada. When the headmaster (Gordon Pinsent) catches Ralph smoking, he puts the boy on the school's cross-county team to force him to put his time to better use. When Ralph discovers that his hospitalized mother has slipped into a coma, he decides to run in the Boston Marathon, hoping that, if he wins, God will grant him a miracle and make his mother well again.

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Critics Consensus

Saint Ralph is an amiable tear-jerker that walks a fine line between being inspirational and being hokum.

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

08/25/2005

2.5/4

Canadian writer-director Michael McGowan has packed it so full of earnestness that viewers end up jogging along.

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

08/08/2005

Funny, touching and uplifting.

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Claudia Puig

USA Today

08/05/2005

3.5/4

It's worth seeking out this bittersweet comedy with its emotionally resonant story and stellar performances.

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Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

06/21/2007

A-

The heart of the film and ensemble, however, is Adam Butcher. If there's any justice, this guy could have a hell of a career. Highly recommended.

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Bruce Feld

Film Journal International

03/01/2007

What writer-director Michael McGowan has pulled off is a bit of a miracle.

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Carolyn Arends

Christianity Today

10/02/2006

3/4

For the jaded moviegoer, here's a little film that just might restore your faith -- in movies and a whole lot more.

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Cork B

@RT87142816 05/14/2023

I am not sure why this is set in the 50s other than maybe the writer is recalling growing up in a catholic school? Despite all the overt Catholic trappings, the film does not seem particularly religious - in fact there is an anti-religious undertoe. Anyway, there is this kid that has to win the Boston Marathon so Santa Claus will give him a miracle and get his mother out of a coma. Yes, I said that with a straight face. Everything you think will happen in this feel good comedy will pretty much indeed happen. Stock cast of extras, nothing special there. And yet, this film is so earnest and upbeat, it can't help but tug on your heartstrings.

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isla s

@RT89656869 09/08/2022

This is a light and easy watch, even though the plot features a boy who has a mother in a coma. Yes its about miracles and its based in a somewhat strict religious school but the tone of the film is more about hope, determination and the like, than anything else. It is really quite cheesy on one level but that's not necessarily an entirely bad thing. Its amusing at times and its I enjoyed it overall, so yes, I suppose I would recommend it, if your ok with a bit of cheese, it might even make you smile.

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01/24/2021

I enjoyed it . Good story . (How much is true ? )

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02/19/2019

Well done with a suburb lead actor.

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12/19/2018

My favorite movie love watching this move

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08/07/2017

Saint Ralph is a movie about faith. Just magnificent.

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Michael McGowan

Director

Adam Butcher

Ralph Walker

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Father Hibbert

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Synopsis

The year 1954 finds teen outcast Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) getting in trouble at the Catholic school he attends in Ontario, Canada. When the headmaster (Gordon Pinsent) catches Ralph smoking, he puts the boy on the school's cross-county team to force him to put his time to better use. When Ralph discovers that his hospitalized mother has slipped into a coma, he decides to run in the Boston Marathon, hoping that, if he wins, God will grant him a miracle and make his mother well again.

Director: Michael McGowan
Producer: Teza Lawrence, Andrea Mann, Seaton McLean, Michael Souther
Screenwriter: Michael McGowan
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Alliance Atlantis Communications
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sensual Content|Partial Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 2005, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $795.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m