Saint Ralph

Writer-director Michael McGowan's heavy-handed, feel-good Saint Ralph revolves around the titular lad (Adam Butcher), a gangly, smart-alecky student at a Canadian Catholic high school academy presided over by a stern headmaster (Gordon Pinsent) who tries to force the boy into line by making him join the cross-country team coached by young Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott). When Ralph convinces himself that a miracle could awaken his comatose mother and Hibbert offhandedly remarks that it would take one for any of his runners to win the 1954 Boston Marathon, the boy conflates the two and concludes that if he wins that particular race, his mom will be saved. When Ralph demonstrates true dedication, the priest—who just happens to be a former Olympic track star—agrees to train him, and the film builds to the inevitable finish in Beantown, while also taking time for digressions, including one dealing with Ralph's crush on a pretty classmate. There's an old-fashioned flavor to the movie, not merely because of its period trappings but because the script, apart from a few bits about the boy's sexual awakening, might have served as the basis for a Disney live-action movie from the Eisenhower era. A pleasant picture that doesn't quite make the winner's circle, this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Michael McGowan, a nine-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, and trailers. Bottom line: a small but solid extras package for a pleasant if unexceptional family drama.] (F. Swietek)