Miracle in the Rain (1956)

Need a good cry? A real fistful-of-Kleenex, cathartic, "Oh (sob) my (sob) God (sob)" weeping jag? The deft and lovely Miracle in the Rain is exactly what the love doc ordered. The 1956 classic stars Jane Wyman as Ruth, that long-lost movie heroine type: a working-girl spinster caring for her ailing mother, toiling at her mundane job and feeling life's passing her by. Well, life has a little surprise up its sleeve, in the form of a random meeting on the streets of New York, with a soldier named Arthur (Van Johnson), who's on temporary leave during World War II. The streets are dingy and the rain is pounding, but the mood is changed; two lost souls connect. What follows is a believable, heart-wrenching tale with a great script (courtesy of Ben Hecht), and terrific performances by the two leads and a brassy Eileen Heckart as Ruth's best pal (and chaperone on the couple's first date!). The film presages the later weepy Somewhere in Time, with its echoes of fate, chance, and even the role of a tiny coin. Fans of romance of all eras, who believe what Arthur says--"Love never dies"--should wrap themselves in the cocoon of Miracle in the Rain--and never stop believing in miracles. --A.T. Hurley Amazon.com

What it means to believe

I had never heard of this movie before, but as I love World War II dramas and the film's main stars, Jane Wyman and Van Johnson, I decided to watch it. This is a truly beautiful film in every sense of the word. It is so nice to watch films of this calibre that celebrate true and pure love and the belief in the power of miracles. At a time when we have so few examples of these things in today's cinema, and in much of the media at large, it's comforting to curl up with a nice mug of hot cocoa and a box of soft tissues and enjoy a film that brings a good feeling in your heart. We need more of these powerful films that spend more time honoring love and faith, and less time praising violence and hollow versions of romance. September 27, 2008

What Love Should Be

I first saw this movie the night of the funeral of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. The story was wonderful and I never forgot it. (I was only 15 at the time). I have tried to find in on VHS or DVD over the last ten years and was very happy to find it on Amazon. It's a wonderful love story and one that can and should be watched by all ages. September 6, 2008

Great Unabashed Tear-Jerker

I totally agree with one reviewer who labels this film " a heart breaker." I'm a sucker for this type of film, however I gave it four stars instead of five. For me, the incredibly moving closing scene is "bushwached" by the inane narration. It was okay at the beginning of the film, but placing narration at the end corrupts the mood of the scene, like some audience member, at a symphony concert, suddenly sneezing loudly during a moving violin solo. Even though it would be unethical, if I knew someone who could separate the soundtrack and delete the ending narration, leaving just the music, I would buy a copy of the film and pay to have it done. July 20, 2008

WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL !!!

I came across the title while cruising the Amazon web site. I had never heard of Miracle in the Rain before, and decided to purchase it based on the many favorable reviews. I just love old 1940's movies, romance especially, and I was not disappointed with the movie. I also sobbed my eyes out!! It is truly an inspiring, beautiful love story. February 9, 2008

I didn't cry:(

As I recall, this movie had me in tears long ago! So, naturally I couldn't wait to see it again and have a good long cry. But, while it was sad, I did not cry. I thought it was more on the sappy side. But, then again, if you take into consideration the era it was made, then this fits just right.

Still, I'll have to watch it again, this time w/out interruptions and see if it makes me cry.....to be continued. November 8, 2007

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