March 5, 2022
This was the phrase I can't forget from the movie I watched last Sunday. It was called The Healer, starring Oliver Jackson-Cohen. The movie was said to be dedicated to Paul Newman, who created SeriousFun Children's Network where ill children could live normally, forget about their illnesses, and just be kids - playing and having fun - like tomorrow is their last day.
The Healer
The movie is a story about a man named Alec Bailey, a womanizer and working as a repairman in a repair shop called The Healer and is struggling in life after his mother and twin brother's death. He's like a lost soul who has no exact direction in his life and doesn't believe in God. He just sleeps around with women, he even gambles that put him to massive debts which can not be paid off unless a miracle happens. The shop he was working in was about to close. Thus, putting him in a more miserable life.
Until one day, his enigmatic uncle whom he never met appears and offers to pay all his debt, and in return, he would live in his uncle's house in Nova Scotia, Canada for 365 days. Undecided at first, as he doesn't know what kind of life is waiting for him in Canada. But after an incident where he was chased by the debt collectors, and his encounter and confession with the priest who suggests he should take his uncle's offer, he then decided to fly to Canada a few days later, rather than being chased by debt collectors and live a dismal life in his country.
And his life changed in Canada as well as his beliefs.
After settling in Canada, he meets Cecilia on his first day. She's a veterinarian who introduces herself as his uncle's friend and a lesbian who likes women and helps him find a job by posting an ad in a local newspaper about his capabilities to fix any electrical appliances. But Cecilia places wrong information and misprints "The Healer" who fixes anyone instead of anything.
People start coming to his house with different health issues, hoping that Alec could heal them. Alex feels bewildered and annoyed by what people think about him. He then clarified that the ad was misprinted and he doesn't fix anyone, but any electrical appliances.
Alec then discovers that he can heal the infirm when those people claimed that they got healed after their encounter with him. And even the priest who doubted him but died from a heart attack in his hand miraculously came back to life. The priest's death was misunderstood and put him in detention but he was soon released when the priest called to confirm that he is alive.
The priest was then convinced that he truly has the gift to heal anyone. Then the story starts to unfold when his uncle finally informed him about their family's healing gift that has been passed from generation to generation, which was supposed to be given to his brother, but he declined it and he even died. So as the last person in their bloodline, he has to accept the gift before midnight on his birthday or else, he would lose it.
Alec stays reluctant, thinking that his family even died and no one helped them. He declined the gift and he eventually lose it.
But later on, he meets a dying 14-year old girl named Abigail with terminal cancer and becomes closed to her. He gets angry and regretted not accepting his gift as he couldn't heal Abigail anymore and so she would die.
Due to frustration, he begged his uncle to help him acquire his gift back so he could heal Abigail, but to avail, and only God could give his gift back. It was tough for him to pray to God as he doesn't believe in Him. But later on, for the sake of Abigail, and even if it's against his will, he did what he was told and begged God to give his gift back to him.
Later, in the end, Abigail sent a letter to Cecilia containing her number and told them to call her. Cecilia then visited Alec so both of them could talk to her. They were surprised and happy upon hearing that Abigail's cancer is in remission. That means she will not die. Abigail then told the two to show their real feelings for each other, and that was what happened next.
In the end, Alec found out that his healing power was back.
The End...
Just Breathe
The movie isn't that praising like other exceptional movies. In fact, it didn't receive high ratings and it's just like a local movie. But for me, it's comparable to Hallmark movie, just light, no heavy tensions, and drama. But what matters to me is, it managed to deliver the message rather than showing heavy scenes and drama.
And every movie has lessons to learn, and this movie seems to revolve around Alec, Cecilia, and Abigail. Each of the characters has lessons to convey to viewers.
Alec reminded us not to hesitate to take on the new adventure of life. Because we wouldn't know what lies in the new place unless we venture into it. And who knows? The change and better life we are aiming for are just sitting there and waiting for us to grab it. Moreover, Alec also reminded us to accept our purposes in life. It might be tough at first, but as we start to embrace it, we'll realize that life is actually happier when we just appreciate it and accept who we truly are, and what we only have.
Cecilia on the other hand reminded us women to be cautious in dealing with men who are possible womanizers. That was the purpose why she told Alec that she's a lesbian. To protect herself from Alec the womanizer. But at the same time, Cecilia reminded us not to judge someone based on how the world defines him/her. Because we wouldn't know the real character of a person until we get along with him/her, or until we read every page of his/her book. Additionally, there is nothing wrong with giving a second chance to someone. Besides, anyone can change for good. Not all bad yesterday will stay bad forever. They can also change for the betterment of their lives.
And Abigail wants to remind us to just breathe and live every single day as if tomorrow is our last day. Because we don't know what tomorrow holds. And life is too short so we should live it happily despite the trials thrown at us. But If we lose track, we just have to get back and refocus on navigating our life towards a better path.
And lastly, the whole movie wants to convey to its viewers that, there is a miracle, and God answers our prayers. We just have to have faith and believe in Him.
I'll leave you with this beautiful poem written by Abigail for Alec and Cecilia before she went back to her place.
You can click the video above if you want to watch the movie.
Thanks for reading and enjoy watching.
Follow me on:
Worth trying to watch po..since naghahanap ako .. thanks for this po. I love to watch movies packed with a lot of lessons.