Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Jon Gunn and Lionsgate is a true story of life and connection with ORDINARY ANGELS.

Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) is a hairdresser with problems, namely alcohol, although she doesn’t seem to think so. When it is suggested she find something else to occupy her mind, she takes an interest in a story about Michelle (Emily Mitchell) who is in need of a liver transplant. Sharon seeks out her father Ed (Alan Ritchson), a recent widower, who is past his neck in bills and consistently looking for work that will pay medical bills as well.

Ed is a quieter person and Sharon is a tad louder as these two come together to try and figure out how to pay the medical bills and keep his house. Sharon begins to raise funds through hairdressing and donations talking with people about helping the struggling family. Sharon even helps with Ed’s older daughter Ashley Schmitt (Skywalker Hughes) to give her support.

All of the attention is difficult for Ed and when Sharon puts the girls in jeopardy, everything she has worked for begins to fall apart. When Michelle is back in the hospital, the doctor makes it clear that something has to happen soon or they could lose the little girl. When hope is so close, a major storm hits their town of Louisville, Kentucky. As roads close and the snow piles, Ed reaches out to the one person he knows who can get things done and Sharon answers the call.

Ed and Sharon learn from one another about faith, hope and possibilities.

Swank as Sharon plays a loud, boisterous hairdresser who refuses to admit she might have a drinking problem. Throwing herself into helping Ed, Michell and Ashley, she avoids her own life issues until they can’t be ignored anymore. Swank is known for playing these characters and does not fail to deliver with conviction and emotion.

Ritchson as Ed is a man who is dealing with his own grief after the loss of his wife. Now he is dealing with his young daughter’s illness and the bills are piling up. All of a sudden this very boisterous woman shows up and his life begins to change in ways he could never have imagined. Ritchson gives his character a stoniness and pride that gets in his way sometimes but he melts as a father of his young loving daughters.

Mitchell as Michelle is a young girl who wants the family to be happy and her father to be there. She is such a charmer and so endearing in this role. Well done young lady. Hughes as Ashley is the older sister who is trying to be strong for everyone. Sharon gives her a few moments of fun being lighthearted but when it comes to her little sister, she is all heart. Hughes gives us a look at a tough teenager who is dealing with her own grief.

Shout out to Nancy Travis who is there for her family with love, strength and acceptance of Sharon to help.

Lionsgate is a global leader in motion picture production and distribution for theatres, television, home entertainment and more. Theatre franchises include THE HUNGER GAMES, and DIVERGENT along with JOHN WICK. Now, adding this film to its 16,000-motion picture and television titles you can see everything coming soon as well as available now at http://www.lionsgate.com.

ORDINARY ANGELS is a story of one family’s struggle through grief and illness and another story of a woman avoiding hers. When they come together, there is a different kind of struggle but one that can be overcome when the focus is saving a young girls life. This is a film that shows what is possible and how many people can actually make it happen – tenacity for sure!

The script was written by Kelly Freemon Craig and actress Meg Tilly based on the story of the family during the 1994 North American storms. From these two writers, director Gunn has brought and endearing story to the big screen filled with faith and when called upon, the humanity of the town around this little girl. These are films people can enjoy and talk about with the family, teachable moments absolutely.

In the end – find your purpose and make a difference.

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