Anna Beam (Kylie Rogers) lives with a rare, incurable disorder that leaves her unable to digest food. Despite the dire diagnosis, devoted mom Christy (Jennifer Garner) relentlessly searches for a way to save her beloved daughter. Everything changes in an instant when Anna tells an amazing story of a visit to heaven after surviving a headlong tumble into a tree. Her family and doctors become even more baffled when the young girl begins to show signs of recovering from her fatal condition.
Our reporter Chasity Saunders sat down with stars Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Christy and Anna Beam exclusively to discuss their new film Miracles From Heaven out Wednesday, March 16.
The Knockturnal: You got a chance to play the realistic story for the Beams, and you guys did an incredible job. Jen, with you being such a seasoned actress and Kylie, with you being a newcomer, tell me what was it about this film that made you say, “Yes. I’m going to attach myself to this film.”
Jennifer Garner: I think I was really attracted to the fact that this was a real story.
Kylie Rogers: Me too.
JG: I think we both really wanted to do right by the Beams and honor their experience, and all the experiences of all the moms sitting in hospital rooms right now waiting for a miracle, waiting for something and kind of do something that would encourage people who saw the film.
TK: For sure. And there’s so much girl power in this film, in front of the camera and also behind. You guys got to work with your director Patricia [Riggen], who was incredible. Can you talk to us a little bit about how she was able to help you guys pull out these amazing performances that just across so lovely onscreen.
JG: The crazy thing is that the story that they’re telling is strong enough that we could just lean into the story itself. But we love Patricia, and she did a beautiful job for us of holding the space for us to find our way and where we needed to go emotionally.
TK: And this movie is so powerful when we talk about faith and miracles. Did it excite anything in your lives to make you believe a little bit more or have faith that you’re just one day stronger? If so, how has it changed your every day life after doing Miracles From Heaven?
JG: (to Kylie) Did it make you more hopeful? You’re already a hopeful person.
KG: Yeah. (giggles) It didn’t really change…I mean yeah, it changed my outlook on miracles and life, but I’m pretty optimistic so…yeah.
TK: I know working with Jen must have been amazing, but are there any actors that you want to work with in the future?
KG: (giggles)
JG: She’s worked with Kate Winslet, Ed Norton, Russell Crowe, she is doing alright. I’m trying to keep up with the rest of her other movie moms.
TK: Miracles From Heaven is such an incredible movie, I mean, I literally had the box out the entire time, I cried the whole movie. How do you think these Hollywood producers did with bringing your story to life?
Anna Beam: I think they did great.
Christy Beam: Yeah, I think they did a brilliant job, I feel like from the very beginning, the first phone call I had with DeVon Franklin…his heart and my heart, what we envisioned coming to the screen, my desires, my thoughts, he mirrored them exactly. And I knew from the beginning that it was going to be something special.
TK: That’s incredible. And you had DeVon Franklin, you had T.D. Jakes, you had all these incredible people. And even these amazing A-List actors that are attached to these films to play your story, did you ever think Jennifer Garner would play you in a movie, or Kylie for that matter, and how do you think they did?
AB: I think Kylie did so good, I think she hit the nail right in the head. I thought it would be very hard to play someone that was chronically ill enough that they could die, and I didn’t know if someone that was perfectly fine could do that. But she did so good and it was kind of like she was another person who was chronically ill that just had her same facial structure.
TK: I’m a God-fearing lady myself and this was such an incredible film, but what do you want movie goers to walk away with? Because every single day I’m realizing the miracles that are surrounding me. So what is it that you guys want people to walk away with after seeing this film?
AB: I want people to walk away with a sense of hope and that God is real and he is good. And to keep on fighting, and that there is a plan no matter what you’re going through.
CB: I feel exactly like Anna, I mean exact same words. I would just add that don’t wait to see those miracles happen to you. You go out and be a vessel for the Lord, be a miracle for others. You can do those things and let God work through you and let him the arms of Christ loving you though this person. Let yourself be used.
TK: For sure. I always think about that, you know, being kingdom builders and bringing things like this to the forefront. I think there needs to be films like this in Hollywood, but why do you think that it’s important to have narratives like this, that are faith and Christian driven?
AB: Because most movies in Hollywood…they don’t portray the struggles really. Usually their biggest struggle is not something many people will face. And so I think it’s important to have movies like this to show “Hey. Life isn’t all peaches and roses,” and also that you need God to get through this crazy thing we call life.