Miracle (2013) - Juraj Lehotsky

Juraj Lehotsky's Miracle is the story of Ela, a deeply troubled 15-year-old, who is sent to a teen correctional facility by her mother.  Her mother is a tough woman, whose own parental ability is questionable at best, seemingly more interested in getting rid of her daughter than helping her.   Completely cut off from the outside world, Ela becomes a bit of a loner, spending most of her time writing letters to a boyfriend.  After learning that she is 14 weeks pregnant, Ela escapes from the facility in an effort to reconnect with her boyfriend.  Their reunion doesn't go as planned for Ela, who soon finds herself facing a life-changing decision.  Miracle is a dark and complex character study that deconstructs a troubled-youth in front of the viewers eyes, attempting to analyze how she has reached this point in her life.  The film presents Ela as a woman who has no comprehension of compassion due to a boyfriend and mother who show little of it themselves.  While the direction of the film is a little too obvious towards the end, Miracle is a poignant dark story about the silver lining of hope.  Through all the conflict, strife, and anguish Ela has faced over the years she is given hope through the birth of her child, given a chance to correct the mistakes committed by Ela's loved ones on her.  While I've seen better more even films to tackle similar issues, Juraj Lehotsky's Miracle is an impressive first feature that lives off its emotional poignancy.

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