By: Brandon Ruggiero

On February 22nd, 2024 Lionsgate Films released the movie Ordinary Angels. On February 26th, it’s opening weekend, I was lucky enough to see it at the theaters. From the first preview trailer I saw. I was instantly intrigued with the movie’s message and inspiring story. I knew I had to see it once it came out and I’m so glad I saw it when I did.

The movie is based on a true story and takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. We see Ed, a father and husband, welcoming his second daughter with his wife. Flash forward to five years later, the wife dies of congenital disease, and Ed has the role of taking care of the girls. This is where we meet Sharon. She is an alcoholic and works as a hairdresser. In the beginning of the story she is seen at a bar dancing and getting hammered. When her caring friend Rose encourages her to go to AA meetings, she denies being an alcoholic. Shortly after, when she is at the store, she sees a local newspaper about a 5-year-old girl who happens to be Ed’s daughter, Michelle, whose mother just died and now needs a liver transplant. By showing up to the funeral unattended, Sharon believes it is in her duty to raise money for Michelle. Nevertheless, there are huge hospital bills and Ed can’t afford them. That’s when Sharon shows up to Ed’s house with money she raised from a fundraiser. Ed’s mother, Barbara, welcomes her with open arms while he is still perplexed. From there, she helps the family out, while also struggling in her own life. Her estranged son won’t talk to her due to her alcoholism. Over the course of the story, a change of events happens. Sharon is frustrated after upsetting Ed, and it leads to her relapsing. After almost giving up, she is needed for a favor. A new liver for Michelle is in reach, but the only way to proceed further with the procedure is to get to the hospital in a private plane, since it’s a very long distance. At this time, a blizzard known as the Kentucky Blizzard of 1994, ensues and Ed struggles to get Michelle to the hospital. With little hope, comes a miracle. A pilot is willing to fly out in the blizzard.  The pilot can’t land due to the heavy conditions, but with local news covering the story and ample support, we see the whole town rooting for the girl, and the whole community coming along to help the pilot land the plane to get Ed and Michelle on it. (Fun fact: Sharon’s son comes to help too). The story concludes with Ed saying “You’re not just worthy Sharon, you’re a miracle.”  The story closes with the plane taking off to the hospital and Sharon finally understanding her true purpose. 

Overall, I enjoyed this movie. I love it so much. I loved the message, plot, the story itself, the characters, and the acting. I had a feeling this movie would be one of my newly favorite movies ever and it was. My expectations were far surpassed. I cried, I cheered, I laughed, I felt hopeful, faithful, and I felt every emotion. This movie also hit hard for me as well, as I went through the experience of losing my Mom, which also happens to Michelle in the story. I feel this movie really gave what our world needs today: kindness. So much negativity goes on in our world today, sometimes it’s really nice to know there are kind people left, and people willing to help others, even if they don’t know them. This is such an incredible, heartfelt, and remarkable movie. I don’t highly recommend a movie like this normally, but I must say for everyone to watch it. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. It is the perfect movie, with an amazing message, which our world most certainly needs right now.