Saint Ralph

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Saint Ralph is a Canadian comedy-drama film, which premiered at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival and had its general theatrical release in 2005.

Set in 1954, the film stars Adam Butcher as Ralph Walker, a teenager attending a Catholic private school. Ralph's father was killed in World War II before the beginning of the movie, and his mother is seen to have cancer. Ralph is naturally prone to mischief and often finds himself an outcast among his classmates. He tries to emulate the conduct of grown ups, and is caught smoking cigarettes and masturbating by the headmaster of his school. Already labeled a troublemaker, Ralph is forced to join the school's cross-country team to relieve him of his excess energy and "evil tendencies".

When Ralph's mother falls into a coma in the hospital, it affects him deeply. Told it would take a miracle for his mother to survive, and subsequently overhearing his coach claim that a member of the team winning the Boston Marathon would be a miracle, Ralph decides to train for the marathon in hopes that his win would fulfill the miracle needed to save his mother's life.

At first he cannot even keep up with his teammates in practice. He reads books to learn about running, uses the new techniques and gradually improves. In time he wins the attention of a younger priest teaching at his school, who decides to train him despite disapproval from the headmaster. Along the way it he begins to win the respect of his classmates, and eventually wins the attention of the media when he wins a prestigious regional race.

The headmaster discovers Ralph's intention to run the Boston Marathon, as well as the assistance of the younger priest. He also reads in the paper of Ralph's belief that a victory could awaken his mother. The headmaster is a very conservative, high ranking priest and finds this idea blasphemous. He threatens to expel Ralph should he participate in the marathon, as well as to remove his coach from the priesthood should he try to interfere.

Both Ralph and his mentor must then make their own decisions of how deeply they believe in miracles, and what is possible when a person risks everything without promise of success.

The film was written and directed by Michael McGowan. The cast also includes Campbell Scott, Gordon Pinsent, Jennifer Tilly, Tamara Hope and Shauna MacDonald.