Ordinary Miracle (1978) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place in an urban city environment, featuring locations like a courtroom where judicial proceedings occur and a foster home where key character interactions happen. The city setting reflects a modern social landscape where the characters navigate complex relationships and personal struggles.

• urban city
• courtroom
• foster home
• setting
• locations

The story is set in the present day, reflecting current social issues like foster care, juvenile detention, and family estrangement. It portrays modern-day life with contemporary settings, manners, and concerns, emphasizing realistic and relatable situations.

• present day
• contemporary
• modern
• time period

The movie explores two primary themes. First, Family & Redemption focuses on bonds, forgiveness, and second chances, showing characters overcoming past grievances to find reconciliation and personal growth. Second, Justice & Morality examines the legal system through a judge character, addressing fairness in relationships and the possibility of moral redemption.

• family
• redemption
• forgiveness
• justice
• morality
• themes

Kay Woodbury is a strong and determined judge portrayed by Jaclyn Smith. She is emotionally guarded due to past experiences but shows compassion by taking in Sally, a troubled teenager. Her character embodies strength, resilience, and a capacity for empathy as she challenges her own boundaries and beliefs about justice and family.

• kay woodbury
• judge
• character
• protagonist

Sally Powell is a troubled, rebellious teenager played by Lyndsy Fonseca. She has a sharp mind and loves chess but struggles with feelings of abandonment and trust issues, often acting out to cope with her pain. Her journey centers on opening up and finding stability in relationships and herself.

• sally powell
• teenager
• character
• rebellious

James is Sally's widowed biological father, portrayed by C. Thomas Howell. He initially distances himself from Sally due to past regrets but ultimately begins rebuilding their relationship, symbolizing themes of second chances and reconciliation in the story.

• james
• father
• biological father
• sally's father

Miranda is James's late wife and Sally's biological mother. Her memory significantly influences the characters' decisions throughout the story. Her grave becomes a symbol of closure and acceptance for the family, representing a pivotal emotional touchstone for the characters.

• miranda
• mother
• late wife
• grave
• closure

Centered around a judge and the legal system, the film examines how personal judgments and societal rules influence individual lives. It focuses on fairness in relationships and the possibility of moral redemption, showing that justice extends beyond courtroom decisions to personal reconciliation.

• justice
• morality
• legal system
• judge
• fairness

The theme depicts characters overcoming past grievances to find reconciliation and personal growth. The interactions highlight the importance of understanding and acceptance, even after betrayal or loss. It shows how broken family bonds can be mended through patience and compassion.

• family bonds
• redemption
• forgiveness
• second chances
• reconciliation

The relationship between Kay and Sally forms the emotional core of the movie. Kay, a judge who typically maintains emotional distance, takes in the troubled teenager and challenges her own beliefs about justice and family. Their fragile trust is tested by setbacks like theft and abandonment, but their journey leads toward reconciliation.

• kay
• sally
• relationship
• foster care
• trust
• reconciliation