Breakthrough (2019 film)

Breakthrough
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRoxann Dawson
Written byGrant Nieporte
Based on
The Impossible
by
  • Joyce Smith
  • Ginger Kolbaba
Produced byDeVon Franklin
Starring
CinematographyZoran Popovic
Edited byMaysie Hoy
Music byMarcelo Zarvos
Production
companies
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release dates
  • March 20, 2019 (2019-03-20) (St. Louis)
  • April 17, 2019 (2019-04-17) (United States)
Running time
116 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$14 million[2]
Box office$50.4 million[2]

Breakthrough is a 2019 American Christian drama film directed by Roxann Dawson in her feature film directorial debut.[3] The film was written by Grant Nieporte, based on the Christian book The Impossible, an account of true events written by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba. It stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammel, and Dennis Haysbert with a cameo by Phil Wickham and Lecrae. Stephen Curry and Samuel Rodriguez are executive producers.[4]

The film tells the story of a St. Louis teenager who slipped through an icy lake on January 19, 2015, and was underwater for 15 minutes before resuscitative efforts were started. Although he was rescued, he remains in a coma, and his family must rely on their faith to get through the ordeal.[5][6]

Breakthrough premiered in St. Louis on March 20, 2019,[7] and was released in the United States on April 17, 2019 by 20th Century Fox, as the studio's first feature film after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney.[8] The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances and inspirational messages, but called the plot predictable.[9] The film garnered a nomination at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Original Song.[10]

  1. ^ "Breakthrough". AMC Theatres. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Breakthrough (2019)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  3. ^ Alysse, Bianca (April 18, 2019). "Catching Up With Roxann Dawson On Her Feature-Film Directing Debut, 'Breakthrough'work=BlackFilm". Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Kit, Borys; Feinberg, Scott (October 18, 2018). "Stephen Curry to Executive Produce Faith-Based Drama 'Breakthrough' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "Missouri Teen Submerged in Icy Lake for 15 Minutes Makes 'Miracle' Recovery". NBC News. February 5, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Quinn, Kay (October 30, 2017). "Miracle on ice becomes a book, movie". KSDK. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  7. ^ Silerio, Sharee (April 4, 2019). "'Breakthrough' brings story of St. Louis miracle to the big screen". St. Louis American. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  8. ^ McClintock, Pamela (April 17, 2019). "Box Office Preview: Disney-Fox Era Begins With 'Breakthrough'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  9. ^ Ryan Fujitani (April 18, 2019). "The Curse of La Llorona is a Crying Shame". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  10. ^ Farrand, Tess (January 16, 2020). "Faith-Based Movie Breakthrough Nominated For Oscar For Achievement In Original Song". Movieguide. Retrieved January 20, 2020.