Review: ‘Breakthrough’ an inspiring tale of redemption — and maybe a miracle

Josh Lucas (left), Chrissy Metz and Marcel Ruiz star in “Breakthrough,” a film about faith that is based on a true story. Photo: Allen Fraser, 20th Century Fox

“Breakthrough” might be the first faith-based Hollywood film with genuine crossover appeal.

Perhaps it’s the inspiring true story, or the excellent cast, or the skilled direction by Roxann Dawson, but it is surprisingly effective — even for skeptics. That’s partly because the film gives proper reverence to the medical science that was crucial to this story, but partly because you become invested in its characters.

Opening Friday, April 19, “Breakthrough” is based on the true story of John Smith, a 14-year-old boy in St. Joseph, Mo., who fell through a frozen lake on Martin Luther King Day in 2015, was fished out unresponsive by paramedics after 15 minutes underwater, and days later came out of a coma, with all of his brain functions intact.

The family identifies as evangelical Christian, and his mother in particular constantly prayed over his body. Thus, John’s revival is considered a miracle in that world, and the incident was the subject of a best-selling book “The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection,” upon which Grant Nieporte based his script (the film, by the way, lists Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry as an executive producer).

This is not a Lifetime movie with a bigger budget, but a thoughtful, albeit conventional film that tackles a lot of issues, not all of them religious. The heroic work of first responders and the skills of doctors also are front and center.

Chrissy Metz and Marcel Ruiz in “Breakthrough.” Photo: 20th Century Fox

John (Marcel Ruiz) is a self-absorbed high school student who is highly annoyed by his parents Joyce (Chrissy Metz of the TV series “This Is Us”) and Brian (Josh Lucas). In other words, a normal teenager. He is the point guard on his high school basketball team, and Curry and Michael Jordan are his heroes. John is a really good basketball player, and unfortunately he knows it; he’ll often ignore his coach’s play-calling and freelance to get his own shot.

Schoolwork isn’t that important to him, and he barely tolerates the family-mandated weekly church services. It’s truly all about him, and getting two friends to walk across a frozen pond is part of that I’m-young-nothing-can-kill me bravado. But when the ice cracks, everything changes.

Paramedics get there within minutes, and John’s friends make it out safely. John, though, disappears beneath the surface. Using a retrieval hook, paramedic Tommie (Mike Colter, star of Netflix’s Marvel series “Luke Cage”) latches onto John’s body and pulls him up. Despite lifesaving techniques, 30 minutes later doctors pronounce him dead at a hospital.

Joyce, wailing and praying, pleads for her son’s life. Suddenly, there is a pulse.

Hours later, he is airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis, where Dr. Garrett (Dennis Haysbert), an expert in treating drowning victims, puts him into an induced coma. He cautions, though, that John may well never wake up, and if he does, the likely outcome is severe brain damage.

The bedside vigil begins. Joyce practically never leaves John’s side. She is joined, surprisingly, by the new pastor of her church, Jason (Topher Grace), whom she can’t stand. Down the hall is Brian, who can’t bring himself to see his son in his current condition, and is beginning to lose his faith. At school, a social media campaign to encourage thoughts and prayers goes viral. TV and newspapers cover the story.

The story is well-told, but what makes it interesting is that each character confronts his or her own crisis — even Tommie, the paramedic who rescued him. It also drives home the point that a seemingly small tragic event can affect an entire community.

“Breakthrough,” then, isn’t necessarily about a miracle, but about redemption and finding peace and fulfillment in a chaotic world.

M“Breakthrough”: Starring Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Dennis Haysbert and Marcel Ruiz. Directed by Roxann Dawson. (Rated PG.) Theaters and Showtimes


  • G. Allen Johnson