My Miracle Boy (2023) Short Film Review

By Ansel Varghese Paul

★★★★

Director: Sarab Sahni
Writer: Caroline Gordon-Elliott, Sarab Sahni, Alam Virk
Stars: Micah Juman, Mary Paige Snell
Cinematography: David Rockoff
Editing: Sarab Sahni

My Miracle Boy is a psychological drama short film that tells the harrowing tale of a mother, consumed by paranoia, who shelters her only surviving child, Jason, from the world. The film presents a meticulously controlled environment where his mother’s fears dictate every element of Jason’s life. Their isolated existence is shattered when Jason discovers a stray flyer, pushing him to step beyond the suffocating boundaries his mother had established. This act of rebellion ignites a psychological battle between Jason and his mother.

Director Sarab Sahni’s command over visual storytelling is evident from the opening scenes of My Miracle Boy. Sahni uses a careful balance of high and low-key lighting to amplify the film’s psychological tension, brilliantly underlining the characters’ emotional states. It creates an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly complements the film’s themes. Sahni’s approach is minimalist yet profoundly effective, allowing the film to communicate its emotional depth even in the silent moments. The director’s choice to focus on visual elements rather than dialogue is a testament to her ability to evoke a powerful narrative through imagery.

The screenplay of My Miracle Boy is a perfect balance of minimalistic dialogue and rich, evocative visuals, thanks to the collaborative writing efforts of Caroline Gordon-Elliott, Sarab Sahni, and Alam Virk. The film delves deep into the themes of toxic parenting and the haunting grip of past trauma on the present. The narrative unfolds at a slow, deliberate pace, allowing viewers to immerse themselves fully in the characters’ psyches and the intricacies of the story world. The slow pacing is a daring choice that helps pull the audience deeper into the story and makes the emotions hit harder. By focusing more on visuals than dialogue, the screenplay encourages viewers to connect more with the characters’ unspoken feelings and the story’s underlying themes.

Juman’s portrayal of Jason is one of quiet resilience, capturing the character’s internal struggle with a restrained intensity. However, Mary Paige Snell truly shines as the mother. Her performance is a masterclass in controlled emotion, gradually revealing the layers of her character’s paranoia and fear. The chemistry between Juman and Snell is so intense; that their interactions are charged with unspoken tension that speaks volumes about their complicated relationship.

The sound design and score in My Miracle Boy are instrumental in building the film’s eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere. The background score, carefully woven into the narrative, heightens the emotional stakes and underscores the film’s themes of fear and control.

My Miracle Boy explores the profound effects of toxic parenting and unresolved trauma on both the victim and the perpetrator. The film delves into the complex dynamics of a mother’s obsessive need to protect her child at all costs, even if it means imprisoning him within the confines of her fear. The framed photos of Jason’s deceased siblings serve as a chilling reminder of the mother’s past losses, symbolizing the ghosts that haunt her present.

My Miracle Boy has garnered significant attention on the film festival circuit, with selections at the prestigious Big Apple Film Festival, where it was screened in New York, and the Golden State Film Festival. These accolades speak to the film’s resonance with audiences and critics alike, marking it as a standout piece in the world of short films.

Sarab Sahni stands out in the filmmaking world not just for her technical skill but for her ability to tell deeply personal and emotionally complex stories. Her work often explores themes of identity, women’s empowerment, and cultural differences. In My Miracle Boy, Sahni continues her tradition of tackling bold, taboo subjects with sensitivity and depth. Her upcoming feature film, Paradise Dreaming, is a continuation of this thematic exploration, focusing on the immigrant experience and the pursuit of the American Dream — a narrative that promises to be as compelling and insightful as her previous work.

Sarab Sahni, with her distinctive filmmaking style, is now poised to take on her first feature film, Paradise Dreaming, which is set to begin production early next year. Sahni is co-writing and producing this feature under the banner AV Films, an eagerly anticipated project by those who have followed her work.

Sarab Sahni has consistently demonstrated her extraordinary talent as a filmmaker, setting herself apart with her ability to craft stories that delve deep into the human psyche while exploring themes of identity, cultural differences, and the complexities of relationships. Her previous works, such as Layers (2022) and You Are the One (2019), showcase her unique narrative style and thematic focus.

In Layers, Sahni used the simple act of a woman preparing for a date to explore the deeper theme of how we present ourselves to the world, peeling back the layers to reveal the true self. This attention to the emotional and psychological aspects of her characters is a hallmark of her filmmaking, making her work resonate on a deeply personal level with audiences.

Similarly, in You Are the One, Sahni tackled the intricacies of marriage and the delicate balance between reality and imagination. The film’s narrative, centered on a novelist whose imagination blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, is a testament to Sahni’s ability to weave complex, multi-layered stories that challenge and engage the viewer.

What makes Sahni truly stand out is her ability to draw from her own multicultural and immigrant experiences, infusing her films with a sense of authenticity and relatability that is rare in the industry. She uses her diverse background as a lens through which she examines universal themes, allowing her films to transcend cultural boundaries and speak to audiences from all walks of life.

In My Miracle Boy, Sahni continues this tradition of excellence. Her exploration of the dark side of parental love and the psychological impacts of trauma is both poignant and thought-provoking, further solidifying her reputation as a filmmaker who is unafraid to tackle bold, challenging subjects. Her ability to tell these stories with emotional depth and technical skill makes her a unique voice in the world of cinema, one whose work will undoubtedly continue to captivate and inspire.

My Miracle Boy is a haunting psychological drama that masterfully explores the dark side of parental love and the consequences of living in the shadow of past trauma. The film’s strength lies in its visual storytelling, supported by powerful performances from its lead actors. For those who appreciate the psychological depth and subtlety, My Miracle Boy offers a compelling and thought-provoking experience.