Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Miracles Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 11, 2018

Screenwriter Jim Kouf (“Class,” “Secret Admirer,” “Up the Creek”) makes his directorial debut with 1986’s “Miracles,” bringing with him dreams of establishing a rich farce filled with chases, near-misses, strange luck, and combative characters. He would go on to write “Stakeout,” one of the best films of 1987, but such a creative triumph was still a year away, leaving him stuck with a frustratingly inert, unfunny comedy that would normally kill a helming career before it had a chance to fully develop. So, thank goodness for “Stakeout” and god help us all with “Miracles,” which emerges as a kitchen sink idea from Kouf, who’s desperate to make this manic endeavor work despite dreadful miscastings, a thin premise, and dialogue that’s primarily interested in detailing how two people hate each other. It’s unpleasant and worse, unadventurous, testing patience as a brief run time is wasted on uninspired shenanigans and a half-realized gimmick.

In the thick of a Central American jungle, a witchdoctor (Adalberto Martinez) is struggling to help a sick little girl, facing pressure from her father (Jorge Reynoso), a tribal leader. The healer inadvertently summons a storm that’s felt in New York City, where a surgeon, Roger (Tom Conti), is about to head out on the town for the night, newly divorced from his lawyer wife, Jean (Teri Garr). Also nearby is Juan (Paul Rodriguez), who’s botched a criminal endeavor with partner Harry (Christopher Lloyd). Running into the street in a panic, Juan triggers a car accident between Roger and Jean, quickly taking them hostage as he sorts through his escape options. Forced to deal with house imprisonment and soon an airplane getaway, Roger and Jean spend most of their time bickering, working through old arguments as their lives are endangered. Reluctantly pairing up to survive a crash landing in Mexico, Roger and Jean are faced with a fresh round of survival challenges as they struggle to find a way back home.

“Miracles” opens with the Central American emergency, where the local witchdoctor is suddenly in over his head, unable to conjure a proper spell to heal a dying girl, facing punishment from her father, who’s understandably upset with the situation. It’s a strange way to begin the movie, visibly stretching to launch the concept of global interconnectivity, with the witchdoctor conjuring a storm with lightning bolts that also emerge in New York City. It’s a loose union of lives, but the screenplay is stuck with it, crudely setting tribal affairs aside for the next 75 minutes while it tends to the lives of Roger and Jean, who were divorced in the morning and are planning to spend the night rejoicing in their freedom, finding the doctor hiding his eveningwear underneath his scrubs for quick access to a party.

“Miracles” divides Jean and Roger to reunite them in horror, as a seemingly coincidental car accident with a panicking Juan running into a city street creates a hostage situation that’s similar to their marriage, with the pair forced to follow orders from a man with a gun, soon bound and kept in a closet, launching the feature’s tedious concentration on their argumentative interplay. Kouf delights in their mutual hate, and most of their exchanges are shouted, making “Miracles” immediately exhausting to watch. The kidnapping commences a prolonged marital therapy session for the couple, who lock horns with such ferocity, Jean and Roger often barely recognize the danger they’re in. Kouf dreams of using such distraction as a catalyst for comedy, tracking the self-absorbed pair’s adventures as they tango with criminals, dodge bullets from overeager cops, and end up inside Harry’s malfunctioning plane, where, in a scene that’s frighteningly reminiscent of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” the couple has to fly the aircraft without any knowledge of its working parts, trying to avoid mountains when Harry and Juan make their escape via parachute.

The bulk of “Miracles” takes place in Mexico, where Jean and Roger declare their innocence with to local law enforcement, who mistake them for smugglers and delight in a chance to do some actual police work. Banter is generally deadly, as are concepts for comedy, but Kouf tries to keep the picture moving, periodically showcasing titular events, where random occurrences create positive results (e.g. a ricocheting bullet kills a goose in the sky, which falls into the house of a starving family). Unfortunately, there’s not enough of his silliness to propel “Miracles,” with Kouf portioning out the big draw of his movie carefully, insistent that such snowballing tomfoolery isn’t nearly as important as intolerable scenes of Jean and Roger yammering on about their failed relationship, which, implausibly, finds them warming up to each other once again. Kouf is not above formula, but he’s also not interested in doing something energetic with it.

Miracles Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Miracles" performs few titular events during its AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation. It's an older master, with some baked-in filtering and general fatigue keeping the viewing experience on the muted side. Colors aren't completely washed away, with more pronounced hues on costuming (including Jean's pink dress) emerging with adequate power, and locations retain their original presence, offering desertscapes and some brief urban adventuring to capture different hues. Skintones are satisfactory but run a bit reddish at times. Detail isn't profound, flattened a bit, which reduces the intensity of distances and facial textures, but most decoration is on view. Delineation offers select moments of crush, with the general lean toward a darker look for the film solidifying frame information.

Miracles Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix faces aging issues as well, lacking intensity that could support this manic film and its myriad of accidents and explosions. Dialogue exchanges are a bit muddy at times, missing sharpness to capture performances, and while audio perfection isn't a priority for the production (Kouf likes to stage scenes in hollow environments), some interactions are defined to expectation. Scoring is also weak, with minimal heft to support the farce, but instrumentation is passable. Atmospherics are mild, sound effects offer a bit more authority with metallic crunches and explosions, and slight hiss is detected during the listening event.

Miracles Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Jim Kouf and associate producer Lynn Kouf.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:10, SD) is included.

Miracles Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Miracles" has problems with timing, tone (it's somewhat violent for a light comedy), and characterization, but there's a major issue with casting. Conti is simply the wrong guy for this type of role, which requires an actor capable of communicating simmering rage and dented appeal. He plays the part dryly, which doesn't match the crazed atmosphere Kouf is aiming for. Conti also doesn't share any chemistry with Garr, who's equally ill-equipped for the film. It's tough to watch the pair flounder in lengthy scenes of combat and renewed woo, but "Miracles" doesn't make it easy for anyone in the movie to shine. The picture just doesn't piece together with any finesse, strangling the potential for high-flying fun with persistent dreariness and dull edges. Again, "Stakeout" basically attempts a similar sense of rascally entertainment, and it works due to properly aligned personalities and patience. Here, Kouf can't get his act together, putting too much faith in broad antics and talented actors who should be spending their time elsewhere.