Saint Ralph

Ralph is a young student in a Catholic school in Hamilton, Ohtario, who has two main problems: 1) authority figures and 2) his mother is dying of a brain tumor. He needs a miracle to help him with 2).

He has other problems, too, a main one having a big crush on a lovely girl student who seems headed for life as a nun and being known throughout school as the kid who was caught wanking in the swimming pool while he peeked through the half-open door of the girls' locker room, thus forcing the school to drain the pool and scrub it down.

His mom then slips into a coma.

When he hears that "only a miracle" would save his mom and then is told that it would be a miracle for him to win the Boston Marathon, his duty is clear: He must win the marathon so that his mother may live.

Against the wishes of the principal of the school, the stern Father Fitzpatrick, and with the aid of the friendly and helpful former runner Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), a sympathetic nurse who has had experience working with athletes (played by the underappreciated Jennifer Tilley), and the spiritual assistance of his lady love, he sets about becoming a world-class athlete...and succeeds!

Does he win the marathon? You can either see the movie or check the record books, but you won't hear it from me, not just to be difficult, because this isn't really what the movie is all about.

This is a great date movie with plenty of appeal to both males and females. Adam Butcher as Ralph is very good as are all of the supporting performers in this fine movie which is as much a comedy as a sports story.