All save the most pious people shudder at the mention of “faith-based drama,” as it typically connotes a lot of piety and a lot of empty clichés. Although there are hints of it in this true story, director Jon Gunn and writers Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig have thankfully kept it to a minimal so that the individuals’ generosity and kindness may be appreciated without becoming overly preachy. It also benefits from a really moving setup and strong performances.
Played by Hilary Swank, Sharon is a hard-partying single mother with a severe drinking habit. After reading that the best way to beat alcoholism is to have a purpose in life, she reads an article in the local newspaper about a little girl named Michelle (Emily Mitchell) who is in critical condition and needs a liver transplant. To the dismay of the stoic dad Ed (Alan Ritchson), Sharon intrudes herself into the family’s life, organizing their finances and attempting to navigate the maze of skyrocketing medical expenses.
Hilary Swank portrays Sharon in the role of Erin Brockovich.
Swank portrays Sharon as a kind of Erin Brockovich—someone whose unorthodox approach and unwavering resolve yield results, dagnabbit. She has her demons, too, like Brockovich, but in this case, it’s a screaming urge to quit taking shots. However, she lacks the depth of Soderbergh’s protagonist in this movie; her unwaveringly upbeat exterior only sporadically falters. It’s possible that Ritchson plays the more difficult part—that of the dedicated blue-collar worker who is trying to cope while still standing by his girls. He does a fantastic job of letting go of his Jack Reacher persona and displaying vulnerability in spite of his enormous stature.
In the end, it’s just another harsh criticism of the US healthcare system and the great suffering it causes, even if, of course, regular folks gather here to save the day, praise God, encourage faith, and so on. That’s nice, but it shouldn’t be required; no matter how well-intentioned, one hairdresser shouldn’t decide someone’s life or death. Therefore, it’s difficult to be motivated by anything other than rage and hope for improved medical treatment.