Breakthrough
Breakthrough

Movie spotlight

Breakthrough

2019
Movie
90 min
English

Breakthrough tells the story of a renegade scientist’s quest to find a cure for cancer, the disease that killed his mother. Texan Jim Allison is a 2018 Nobel Prize winner for discovering how to prompt a cancer patient’s own immune system into defeating their disease, but for decades he waged an often-lonely struggle against the painful skepticism of the medical establishment.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes62%
Metacritic51/100
Google Users92%
Director: Roxann DawsonGenres: Drama, Family, Inspirational

Plot Summary

Based on the inspiring true story, a Christian teenager falls through the ice of a frozen lake and is found unresponsive. While emergency services struggle to revive him, his mother's unwavering faith becomes the only hope for his survival. The film follows the miraculous recovery and the profound impact it has on his family and community.

Critical Reception

Breakthrough received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its emotional power and the performances, particularly Chrissy Metz. However, some critics found the film to be overly sentimental or heavy-handed with its religious themes. Audiences, especially those who connect with faith-based narratives, tended to respond more favorably.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its powerful true story and emotional core.

  • Chrissy Metz delivers a compelling performance as the determined mother.

  • Some found the film's overt religious messaging to be overly didactic.

Google audience: Google users largely praised Breakthrough for its uplifting and faith-affirming story, highlighting its emotional impact and the inspiring nature of the true events depicted. Many found it to be a moving and hopeful film that resonated deeply.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("I Still Believe").

Fun Fact

The film is based on the book "The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a 14-Year-Old's Survival" by Joyce Smith, the mother of the boy who was miraculously saved.

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