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‘Blue Miracle’ is a new Netflix film based on the true story of Casa Hogar, the Mexican boy’s home that entered the world’s biggest fishing tournament to save their orphanage. Omar (Jimmy Gonzales) has one shot to be able to catch the biggest fish to save his orphanage, but will his guide, a grumpy, arguably “washed up” veteran of the competition be enough? This ultra-vibrant yet simplified plot may be heartwarming but plays more like a Disney channel original film than a genuine look at the real story.
First, the acting all around is pretty good. Jimmy Gonzales has charisma and charm throughout the film and could be a very successful lead actor if given the right script to work with. Dennis Quaid is doing his best Clint Eastwood impression with a growly harsh voice with a hard heart that softens as the movie progresses. All of the kid actors are adorable, there’s nothing about the characters or their performances that make the film difficult to watch.
The issue comes from both the pacing and look of the film. To me, everything felt like it was filmed on a sound stage but because of the over-saturated high contrast cinematography. Usually, I love colors that can pop and stand out on the screen but with ‘Blue Miracle’ it felt like someone threw on a very colorful Instagram filter over every frame. The pacing is about the same as what fishing actually feels like. slow, kind of ordinary, until you finally catch something.
I’m not trying to harp on the true story of this film either. It’s incredible when you think about the fact that almost everything was against Omar to be able to save Casa Hogar, and the climax of the film is where we really get to see that come to fruition. But overall ‘Blue Miracle’ is a bit of a snooze when it has way too compelling of a story to be.
