It's been a long time since I've reviewed a movie, but I was invited to preview Miracle in East Texas and was intrigued by the trailer. So while my daughter was in town visiting, we got ready for a girls' movie night. I can't say the movie blew us away, but it did make us laugh a little.
According to the Miracle in East Texas movie website, the story is inspired by the unlikely but true story of two elderly con artists at the dawn of the Great Depression and the largest oil strike in world history. Being rigorous with history, we tried to investigate how much truth was intertwined. At first, all we could find was a large oil strike in East Texas in 1901. But, according to the Texas State Historical Association, there was, in fact, a 1930 Oil Strike led by two shady oilmen.
Director: Kevin Sorbo
Writer: Dan Gordon
Stars: Tyler Mane, John Ratzenberger, Kevin Sorbo
That said, the movie is much more story than truth, and that's okay. The film Miracle in East Texas begins with two young reporters interviewing Irving Tanner, Jr (Lou Gossett, Jr.) about the 1930 legend. He was a child when the world's unluckiest wild hunter, Dad Everett (John Ratzenberger) , he teamed up with Doc Boyd (Kevin Sorbo), a charming snake oil salesman. He shares with reporters the crazy story of how the two scammers accidentally found oil in East Texas.
At the beginning of the film, the two con artists convince several new widows (Sam Sorbo, Paula Boudreau and others) to invest in their useless oil wells.
Then, the unthinkable happens! In fact, they find oil. This presents a new challenge. Should they declare another hole dry for a clean break, or bring in the well like real oilmen and probably spend the rest of their lives in jail?
Meanwhile, some of its investors are angry and ready to do something about it.
Miracle in East Texas is a silly comedy that employs a number of tricks to increase the silliness of the story. These include silent movie-style title cards, sepia-toned photographs, and period music. It's a silly, over-the-top slapstick. Sophisticated it is not. But it's not meant to be serious. It's about playing.
The film is well produced. Great sets, costumes, cinematography. It is well cast and the acting is good. The only production quality that bothered me was the color. It wasn't consistent between takes and that distracted me. However, I'm not sure the average viewer will ever notice.
The biggest complaint both Brittany and I had was the spiritual aspects. Throughout the film, Scripture is constantly quoted out of context and for laughs. The scammer couple knows their Bible and uses it to their advantage. Other characters also use exaggerated writing for emphasis. On several occasions it seemed to border on blasphemy. I'm sure that wasn't the filmmakers' intention. However, none of us were comfortable with the way the Scriptures were sometimes mocked.
According to the film's website, the story has a message of forgiveness and redemption. But the message is so light that you will miss it if you are not looking for it.
All in all, Miracle in East Texas is a light-hearted, faith-based film meant to entertain, and it succeeds. You can see it on the big screen tomorrow and Monday in theaters across the country. Visit the website to find a location near you.
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