This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is a great family film. The characters are interesting and you find yourself getting involved with the story and really caring about how it will end. Eddy Martin is a treasure ! He's not yet been robbed of the sweetness of youth that makes him so real. Peter Fonda is a little stiff in his character. Mare Winningham gives a touching performance. You will laugh at yourself while, at the same time, do some soul searching before being too critical. The bottom line, if you like a family movie with a religious flavor and inspirational ending....get this movie. I will be looking for more movies with Eddy Martin. Hopefully someone needing a great young actor will sign him to a contract.

Salma directs this uplifting movie METICULOUSLY!!! I usually don't boo-hoo at a lot of movies as they are too unrealistic, and more monopolized along the way and geared toward a more favorable "unrealistic" Hollywood ending. Salma, gets down to simple folks with "GENUINE" lives and a very "unique Miracle" that happened to them one day. A town so miniscule, that one would not even consider giving a second thought of finding God there. Salma evidently found this one little town's WORTH was more than gold. Salma incorporates "simple" folks with very real lives, in very REAL situations on a day to day basis. She does not belabor on each of her characters, but allows enough for you to get just a brief glimpse of their ordinary lives. This is by far an extraordinary movie! If she managed this kind of movie with a limited budget, I can only envision what she is capable of if she had MORE to work with. Her creativity, no doubt, would UNDENIABLY SHINE!!! If you ever ponder the thought of wanting to "recover" your faith, this movie will move the very core of your soul!!!! EXCELLENT!!! PAR NONE!!!

I saw this movie on Showtime, because my wife wanted to see it. I like Selma Hyek's acting, but I wasn't especially interested in the story - or what I'd heard about it. Imagine my surprise when I found myself thoroughly enjoying the film.The acting from the main characters was understated, and perfect for the story. The cinematography was beautifully competent, and the set design was exquisite - Showtime showed behind-the-scenes snippets before and after the movie, and the brilliance that was displayed in creating such believable sets on such a small budget (often from the ground up)was nothing short of a miracle itself.All in all, I enjoyed this movie far more than I expected to, and I think the director and her crew show much promise.

I absolutely loved this film. It is beautiful, as well as profound, in its simplicity. "The Maldonado Miracle" is a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences. The story is of a young boy (Eddy Martin) in search of his father, who indirectly and unknowingly, influences the small town where he is hiding out to make a change for the better. He is the Maldonado miracle. This film expresses such a sweet message of looking for miracles within our individual lives; sometimes they can be found in the most unlikely situations.Selma Hayek is fantastic in her first film as director. Also, performances by Peter Fonda and child actor Eddy Martin (who, by the way, has an amazing singing voice) are very near perfect. I was able to attend the world premiere of this film at Sundance with the cast and crew. It was such a neat experience and I give "The Maldonado Miracle" my highest praise. I recommend it to everyone who can get their hands on it!