BLUE MIRACLE

US, 2021, 95 minutes, Colour.

Dennis Quaid, Jimmy Gonzalez, Fernanda Urrejola, Bruce Mc Gill, Dana Wheeler- Nicholson, Miguel Angel Garcia, Isaac Arellanes, Anthony Gonzalez, Nathan Arenas, Steve Gutierrez.

Directed by Julio Quintana.

This is a Mexican story. It is also a deep sea fishing story, a competition to bring in the biggest blue marlin. It is also a story about an orphanage. And, with the title focusing on miracle, the audience knows right from the start that there is going to be a happy ending. No suspense concerning who will win the competition – the suspense comes in how this will be achieved.

And, this is a true story, the blue miracle and all. In fact, as with so many films nowadays, there are photos of the actual characters, the fishing episode and the achievement during the final credits.

At the centre of the film is Jimmy Gonzalez as Omar, director of the orphanage, Casa Hogar (Home). It is noted that Jimmy Gonzalez himself had a rather tough upbringing as an orphan, involved with gangsters, drug dealing, a lookout for the gangs. But, with determination, he overcame his background and became an actor. He brings his own background to this story, made emotional by nightmare flashbacks to his character as a boy, fishing with his father, swept overboard, surviving, his father drowned.

Dennis Quaid has top billing. Here he is again as a crusty, very crusty, old man, veteran fisherman for 25 years in the town, winning the competition twice, but with an old boat, very few prospects – and his wife and son having left him to go back to Dallas.

There is quite a dramatic storm, flooding of the orphanage, but the organisers of the annual competition, the Bisbees (Bruce Mc Gill and Dana Wheeler Nicholson) determine that the competition must go on and fees will be lifted. Sympathetic to the orphanage, less sympathetic to Wade, they insist that he take on Omar and some of the boys as the crew.

So, three days of competition, frustration in hooking seaweed, a second day and the possible victory but tension on the boat with two of the boys fighting and falling overboard, the temptation to cheat, conscience issues, and then the blue miracle.

There is quite some energy in the film, the kind of film that is called “inspirational”.

1. Based on a true story? The characters, the orphanage, the deep sea fishing competition, the victory? The photos during the final credits?
2. The Mexican setting, the town, the orphanage, the walls, the boats, orphanage and interiors, the storm and flooding, the sequences at sea, fishing? The musical score?
3. The title, the audience knowing the ending – but interest in how it would be achieved?
4. Omar, founding the orphanage, supported by Becca? His nightmares, as a boy, fishing, his father, swept overboard, under the boat, the sadness of his father’s death but actually having known him? The challenge for him at the end with the catching of the marlin?
5. The establishment of the orphanage, the range of children, ages, the dormitories, the meals, Becca and her cooking? Financial difficulties? Donations? The phone call from the bank?
6. The encounter with Moco, the police, the stealing of the watch, Omar and communication, going to Wade, his angry attitude? The invitation to Moco? His surly attitudes, his mother in Dallas, absent father, clashes with the boys, the fight and their falling overboard? Going on the expedition, sitting in the seat? The return, the sweater, participation, change of heart, his knowing about the cheating, and knowledge in Omar as a father figure?
7. Wade, his past triumphs, down and out, wife and daughter gone, taking on tourists, resisting the cheating? Entry into the competition, no money, the discussions with Bisbee, the condition that he take Omar and the boys, resentment, his associate on the boat, the first day, surly with the boys, Omar making a plea, talking with them, the lure, catching the seaweed? The effect of the first day? The second day, the marlin, the boy reeling it in, the boys quarrelling, overboard, the snapping of the line? Wade upset, Omar bringing him the food?
8. Wade and the buying of the marlin, the cheating, to get the money for the orphanage? The moral dilemma for Omar? Moco and his overhearing? Setting out, the engine trouble, concealing the fish, putting it behind the boat, Omar and his conscience, cutting it loose? The effect on Wade? Wade confessing that his second victory was cheating?
9. The orphans and their discussing about having a father, Wade’s choice to be a fisherman rather than a father, the boy is challenging him?
10. The big fish, Omar and the seat, reeling it in, the excitement, the boys? The achievement? The orphanage and watching television? The Bisbee’s and their support? The cheque?
11. The aftermath, the information about the winnings, renovating the orphanage, new buildings? Girls orphanage?
12. Tweety, writing his petitions, God’s will, the nail, putting them on the wall, his drawing – and belief in miracles?