MALDONADO MIRACLE, THE (TV)

Summary

This made-for-television movie, based upon a novel by Theodore Taylor, is about the small, dying town of San Ramos, California, that has its faith tested when a Jesus statue seems to shed tears of blood. The program begins with gas station owner and part-time sheriff Frank leaving El Chupe, the local watering hole, and noticing a passing Mexican boy, Jose Maldonado, with a bloody arm. Frank chases after him but Jose escapes into a church. Jose recalls having snuck across the Mexican border. He awakens to find the church's organist, Brother Amos, practicing. The next day, Father Russell is disheartened to find that yet more residents are moving out of San Ramos, further diminishing its 400-count population. Father Russell goes to the local diner where he discusses with waitress Maisie how the town is falling apart. Later that day, while praying in the empty church, devout parishioner Josephina notices the Jesus statue crying blood and deems it a miracle. Soon, Father Russell and Amos are on the scene. Meanwhile, Jose tries to clean his bloody shoulder. Talk of the miracle quickly spreads through town, with some townspeople thinking it far-fetched. Father Russell asks Amos what he is to believe about this would-be miracle, thinking it should be further investigated. Frank arrives at the church, looking at the area above the statue and finding what seems to be animal hair. Meanwhile, Jose gets some food at Maisie's diner, where she shows some concern for him. Soon, reporters and photographers have arrived to investigate the miracle. Later, Amos questions Father Russell on why God chose San Ramos for the alleged miracle. Father Russell admits that he asked the bishop for a new assignment as people in San Ramos no longer have hope. That night, Jose further recalls the journey that he and his dog Sanchez took to America, having come to find his missing father, Hector. En route, Jose learned that Hector got in an accident while riding in a truck to the fields and "took off" since one of his legs was crushed. By the next day, San Ramos is flooded with visitors, despite the fact that Father Russell has closed the church's doors. Back at the diner, Maisie learns more about Jose. Frank arrives at the church, observing the crush of people outside, clamoring to get in to see the Jesus statue. Frank and some others speak with Father Russell, curious as to why he locked the doors. Then, Amos arrives with the test results: The substance on the statue is legitimate human blood. Later, Frank again sees Jose and chases after him, to no avail. Frank questions Maisie about Jose, wondering if he might be an illegal immigrant. Maisie doesn't rat out Jose to Frank but instead goes to Father Russell, explaining her worries. Meanwhile, Frank is finally able to locate Jose's hiding place but Sanchez helps him to escape. Sanchez isn't so lucky, as Frank takes him away. Eventually, Frank puts two and two together, realizing that it was most likely a bleeding Jose that caused "the miracle." Frank decides that there's no reason to reveal the truth and crush the town, but that they should get rid of Jose nevertheless. Meanwhile, the miracle continues bringing in unexpected monies for the church, amazing Amos. That night, Father Russell goes searching for Jose, finding him hiding and crying. Father Russell offers to give him food and a place to stay. Meanwhile, Cruz invites Maisie to have a drink with him, but she declines and he unintentionally insults her. Later, Cruz tracks Maisie down at her house, noticing her drinking, smoking, and crying. He climbs in a window and assists her, which leaves her feeling vulnerable. The next day, the circus surrounding the miracle church has gotten even bigger. Jose finally visits Father Russell, hoping he can help him get his dog back. Father Russell notices Jose burning up with a fever and insists he get medical treatment, but Jose is concerned since he is an illegal. Father Russell takes Jose to Dr. Victor Castillo, who examines the boy's bloody arm, learning that it is an infected knife wound. Afterward, Father Russell forces Jose to explain how he got his injury. Father Russell tells Jose he well help find Hector by passing his description to other parishes, but, meanwhile, Jose will stay at the church. Then, Father Russell retrieves Sanchez. At the church, a woman in a wheelchair is suddenly able to walk, making for what may be yet another miracle. Other residents start to see their long-held dreams coming true, even Frank. During the confusion, Jose realizes that it is his blood on the statue. That night, El Chupe is hopping and Maisie finally decides to drop by. She tells Cruz that she is angry he spied on her, learning things about her that she wishes he hadn't. Meanwhile, an angered Frank searches Father Russell's residence for Jose, unable to find him. At the same time, Jose is headed out of San Ramos and back toward Mexico. Later, Cruz returns to Maisie's house to apologize. He talks about his turbulent past, exposing his life as a former prison convict, and wonders if having shared confidences makes her more comfortable around him. Maisie begrudgingly admits that things are moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, Frank can no longer convince his cronies that Jose ever actually existed, as they have started to believe that the Jesus statue's blood truly was a miracle. The next day, Amos tells a concerned Father Russell not to worry about Jose as he can probably handle himself. However, Jose returns to the church to make a confession to Father Russell, telling him the truth about the miracle. Father Russell allows Jose to decide whether to reveal the information to the town. Then, Frank gets a tip about Jose having been spotted heading into the church. Frank tries to take Jose away. However, Father Russell and Jose prevail, revealing to the congregation and reporters that the mysterious occurrence was not a miracle, causing everyone to desert San Ramos yet again. Before they do, however, a true "miracle" occurs when Hector arrives at the church and is tearfully reunited with Jose.

Details

NETWORK: Showtime
DATE: October 12, 2003 8:00 PM
RUNNING TIME: 1:31:16
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: T:91718
GENRE: Drama
SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Salma Hayek)
SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV, 2003
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Salma Hayek … Executive Producer, Director
Eve Silverman … Producer
Susan Aronson … Producer
Jose Tamez … Co-Producer
Don Schain … Production (Misc.), Line Producer
Paul W. Cooper … Writer
Theodore Taylor … Based upon the novel by
Leonardo Heiblum … Music by
Jacobo Lieberman … Music by
Peter Fonda … Cast, Father Russell
Mare Winningham … Cast, Maisie
Ruben Blades … Cast, Cruz
Eddy Martin … Cast, Jose Maldonado
Bill Sage … Cast, Lyle
Dan Merket … Cast, Frank Olcott
St. Hilaire, Soledad … Cast, Josephina
Scott Michael Campbell … Cast, Brother Amos
Jesse Borrego … Cast, Hector Maldonado
Christina Cabot … Cast, Stella
Jeanette Longoria … Cast, Carla
Dennis Saylor … Cast, Drunk Man
Joey Lopez … Cast, Pedro
Frank Gerrish … Cast, Dr. Victor Castillo
Daniel E. Mora … Cast, Cubria
Tod Huntington … Cast, Immigration
Sina Amedson … Cast, Migrant Worker
Mary Bishop … Cast, Mrs. Johnson
Reb Fleming … Cast, Olcott's Mother
Ben Governale … Cast, Church witness
Coz Green … Cast, Curious Visitor
Megan Henderson … Cast, Hanna Travis
Greg Ilk … Cast, Assistant
Ann Kathleen Jensen … Cast, Woman
Christian Jensen … Cast, Boarder Patrol
Paul Kiernan … Cast, Photographer
Lorena Leishman … Cast, Sister
Irma Leon … Cast, Blind Woman
Micaela Nelligan … Cast, Martha
Ken Norris … Cast, Farmer
Jeff Olson … Cast, Driver
Ignacio Perez … Cast, Juan
Isidro Ruiz … Cast, Eddie
Malcolm Sonsire … Cast, Cross Man
David Jean Thomas … Cast, Harvey
Christina Thurmond … Cast, Woman
Angelica Macias Trillo … Cast, Crying Woman
Cami Twede … Cast, Sofia
Mark Wright … Cast, TV Reporter