Life is filled with hardship and tragedy. But perhaps there’s nothing more devastating than the death of a spouse. This is the grim reality an aging military veteran named Eddie is facing in the low-budget film, “The Healing Garden.” Eddie has recently lost his wife and finds himself living in a trailer park filled with disheartened souls in need of something resembling hope. Without much to give his life purpose, Eddie decides to plant and cultivate a garden.
You’ve probably never heard of “The Healing Garden.” It was shot on a shoestring budget in the summer of 2019 and released in February 2020 via streaming services. The film didn’t get picked up for distribution in theaters and wasn’t reviewed by Focus on the Family’s Plugged-In web-site, so you have to go searching for it online to find out more about it.
This touching faith-based film is based on a story by Jeanie Nuanes-King who enlisted the help of writer/director Joseph Granda to bring it to life. Working with Justin Groom, the Director of Photography, and a modest crew and inexperienced cast, Mr. Granda has produced a beautifully shot independent film whose effervescent heart belies its budget.
You won’t find any over-the-top special effects here. There are no death-defying action sequences, no car chases, no guns, no explosions and no ridiculous plot twists. But there is a heartfelt story told from a Biblical worldview that is filled with quirky characters trying to make their way in a world that often seems bleak and colorless. And there’s a sprinkling of wonder at the end— à la “It’s a Wonderful Life”— that brought a tear to my eye.
There are no big name actors and no glamourous performances. The most experienced actor, Danny Mann, who has appeared on General Hospital and Hawaii Five-O, is both curmudgeonly and likable as the lead character, Eddie. He and Kyriana Kratter, who plays the aptly named Hope, a little girl who has lost her father, have a charming chemistry; although Kyriana steals most of the scenes she's in.
If you're looking for a little light and hope for your next family movie night, give this independent film a try. It starts with a sad but honest depiction of some brokenhearted souls, but if you stick with it you’ll be rewarded with warm humor and touching moments that remind us of the healing power of faith, compassion and friendship— and that a little Jesus goes a long way.
When Jesus saw the crowds, “he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)
“The Healing Garden” can be found on Prime Video, Great American Pure Flix, or any number of free streaming services such as Encourage TV. You can watch the trailer and read a few brief reviews on IMDB.com by clicking HERE.
Should you decide to watch it, let me know your thoughts in the Comments section.
