Synopsis:  

Set in 1967, The Mircle Club is a heartwarming film that follows the story of three generations of close friends, Lily (Maggie Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates), and Dolly (Agnes O'Casey) of Ballygar, a hard-knocks community in Dublin, who have one tantalizing dream: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, that place of miracles that draws millions of visitors each year.

When the chance to win presents itself, the women seize it. However, just before their trip, their old friend Chrissie (Laura Linney) arrives in Ballygar for her Mother's funeral, dampening their good mood and well-laid plans. The women secure tickets and set out on the journey they hope will change their lives, with Chrissie joining in place of her mother. The glamor and sophistication of Chrissie, who has just returned from a nearly 40-year exile in the United States, are not her only difficult traits. Old wounds are reopened along the way, forcing the women to confront their pasts even as they travel searching for a miracle. Deep wounds from the past can only be healed by the curative power of love and friendship. 

Review:

The Mystery Movie group gave this film a 3.5 star rating out of 5.  

The pace was a bit slow, and it was hard to understand the dialog at first.  However, most of us walked away feeling satisfied that, in the end, the characters received their own “miracle” in one way, shape, or form. 

The overall message was that people need to practice forgiveness more and that salvation can be found in unexpected places.  Maggie Smith played the role of a cranky and judgmental sourpuss superbly!  The male moviegoers were not thrilled with how the men were portrayed in the film as ne'er-do-wells who relied greatly on their wives for EVERYTHING, but it was 1967 in Ireland, and things were very different then...thankfully!