Breakthrough is an excellent film and one of the most emotional and inspirational films I've seen in a long time. The film is based on an actual incident, making it even more impactful. It's a tale of faith, hope, family love and never giving up – even when the situation seems hopeless.
The film is about a teenage boy named John Smith. John one day slips into a frozen lake and is left under the ice for quite some time. When rescuers find him he is dead. It is extremely difficult for the doctors to save his life but it's almost impossible. His family is advised to get ready for “the worst.”
John's mum doesn't give up. She refuses to give up and instead prays and believes that God can do what no one else can. What comes next is a journey which touches everyone orbiting her. Family members, friends, church members, doctors, even strangers are part of a narrative which pushes the limits of what people believe is possible.
This is one thing that I enjoyed in this movie was its emotional depth. I immediately related to the characters. The fear, pain and uncertainty of the family were felt. I could see how difficult it was for the mother. Her resolve to be strong over the bad news from the doctors was inspiring. I had a few moments that made me cry and I find myself thinking about the reaction of individuals when they encounter challenging circumstances in their lives.
The acting was superb in the film. The characters were played naturally and convincingly. The actress playing John's mother was really good. Her expression of worry of a mom was amazing, I almost forgot I was watching a film! The actor, who played John, also did a great job, particularly given the challenging nature of the story.
The other thing that came to mind was the message of hope. The film offers some lessons for religious and non-religious alike on how to persevere, how to be courageous, how to believe when all seems lost. It depicts a communal unity that stands up during tough times. I liked the way the movie was about love and unity and not just making drama.
The cinematography was also beautiful, too. The scenes involving the frozen lake were both stunning and frightening. The scenes at the hospital were realistic and used to build in the tension of the story. The music seemed to fit well for the emotional moments but not too overpowering. The pictures and the music combined made it more memorable.
The film doesn't go without fault, though. Some viewers may think that there are parts in the film that speed up a bit, particularly in the middle. There are also times when the story is strictly about faith – something that will not resonate with all audiences. Nevertheless, I think the film is still interesting as it is based on authentic human feelings and connections.
While watching Breakthrough I thought of the difficulties encountered by people daily. There are times in life when things may appear insurmountable. This film is a reminder that there is a place for hope even in the darkest of times. It reminds them to hang around, to help each other and never give up on hope of change.
I liked the most was how the movie was a mixture of sadness and encouragement. This is no way to gloss over the seriousness of the situation, but it's also no way to make the viewer feel helpless. I was inspired and grateful at the end of the movie. The plot stuck with me long after the movie's over.
The overall mood of Breakthrough is touching and uplifting, and it certainly has a message to convey: Faith, family, and resilience. It's a movie that can make you laugh, cry and ponder about the role of hope. It's a movie I would recommend for anyone who likes inspirational true story dramas and movies with a good morals to them.
My Rating: 8.5/10 ⭐
With great acting, a moving true story and an emotional message that many will not soon forget, Breakthrough is a heartfelt film.
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