Saint Ralph (2004)
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63% of critics liked it
(68 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(6,064 ratings)
A young man with big dreams sets out to do the seemingly impossible in this bittersweet comedy drama. Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) is a 14-year-old boy growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1954. Ralph is convinced he's cut out to do something remarkable some day, but he hasn't quite decided… More A young man with big dreams sets out to do the seemingly impossible in this bittersweet comedy drama. Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) is a 14-year-old boy growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1954. Ralph is convinced he's cut out to do something remarkable some day, but he hasn't quite decided what, and at the moment he has other things to worry about. Ralph's father has recently died, as have his grandparents, and his mother (Shauna MacDonald) is severely ill and in the hospital, leaving the boy to fend for himself at home. Despite Ralph's tragic circumstances and his attendance at a Catholic school led by strict headmaster Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent), the young man maintains a cheeky attitude and often gets on the wrong side of his teachers, and one remarkable display of poor behavior causes Fitzpatrick to sentence Ralph to membership on the school's cross-country team. The team's coach, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), discovers Ralph has real talent as a runner, and encourages the boy to train seriously. When doctors inform Ralph that only a miracle can save his mother's life, he strikes upon an idea -- it would be a little short of a miracle for a talented but inexperienced runner like himself to finish first in the Boston Marathon, so Ralph sets his sights on winning the race, certain in his heart that a victory could restore his mother's health. Saint Ralph also features Jennifer Tilly and Tamara Hope. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael McGowan
- Written By
- Michael McGowan
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Aug 5, 2005 Limited
- On DVD
- Dec 13, 2005
- Studio
- IDP
Critic Reviews
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Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
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
Funny, touching and uplifting.
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Claudia Puig, USA Today
It's worth seeking out this bittersweet comedy with its emotionally resonant story and stellar performances.
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John Hartl, Seattle Times
Even when it's pushing the limits of shameless manipulation, this cheeky Canadian film has charm and wit.
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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
You can't argue with the message. But its well-worn homilies might give you reason to question the messenger.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Adam Butcher
as Ralph Walker
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Campbell Scott
as Father George Hibbert
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Gordon Pinsent
as Father Fitzpatrick
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Jennifer Tilly
as Nurse Alice
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Shauna MacDonald
as Emma Walker
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Michael Kanev
as Chester Jones
- Tamara Hope
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Gerard Parkes
as Longboat
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Jeff Baxter
as Cattana
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Rob Smith
as Santa Claus
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Michael David Brown
as John Bannon
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Jonathan Wilson
as Father Gregg
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Frank Crudele
as Mr. Karl
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Fiona Highet
as Nurse
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Jonathan Walker
as Mr. Collins
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Boyd Banks
as Worker #1
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Barry Stilwell
as Mr. Jones
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Sean Cullen
as Children's Aid Officer
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Naomi Emmerson
as Spectator #2
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Jonathan Higgins
as Boston Announcer
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Chris Ploszczansky
as Hulk
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Paulette Sinclair
as Secretary Roddy
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Lubica Kucerova
as Woman in Shower
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Ben Gans
as Senior Citizen #1
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Jock McLeod
as Senior Citizen #2
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Daniel Karasik
as Bolan
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Keir Gilchrist
as Kid Collins
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Joan Massiah
as Mrs. Scarlet
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Henry Alessandroni
as Worker #2
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Brandon Barre
as Road Runner
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John Blakey
as Spectator #1
