Brady Bruce This train wreck of a "movie" is the apparent darker side of Mother Teresa's story about secret letters that she wrote. These letters reveal a darker side to Teresa, stating that she had struggles with her faith, yet even in her hard times she stayed in the faith and continued to put others above herself. At Least that's what the audience is told, the plot of the movie, the most interesting aspect of this adaptation isn't shown or expanded upon, instead it is told to us multiple times throughout the movie all in different ways that reveal nothing new. Since the movie tries to tell Mother Teresa's story in a new perspective while trying to be "safe" the movie falls flat on it's face becoming lifeless, bland, and uninformative. I went into the movie knowing just as much as I did leaving it, Mother Teresa was a nun who helped the untouchables, nothing more nothing less, everything that is more interesting about her story is either told to the audience by a confusing narration or given to the audience on tacked on credit facts that are supposed to tie up the movies loose ends.I give The Letters a very low C, almost to the point of F, but since the movie was so safe it deserves a C. The movie begins on a scene where a photo of mother Teresa heals a woman of a tumor, this event technically did happen but no one can be sure that it was Teresa's photo. It's a poor scene to start the movie on because it set's mother Teresa up to be a supernatural force of God, which she is not! It was also a poor choice to open on because the event is filled with so much uncertainty that it's more probable than not that it didn't happen, thus starting the movie with possible inaccuracies. Another thing the movie blundered on was Mother Teresa's religion, throughout the movie she is called a Christian woman, yet she was a catholic nun. Given the benefit of the doubt Christianity is a term that is notably used for multiple religions, like the Catholic people. Yet the rest of the movie is very safe, it doesn't take any risks or any controversial aspects of Teresa's life, instead they made a very easy movie that panders to the average viewer who doesn't know better than.The reason I specifically wanted to give this movie a F was because how terribly represented Mother Teresa was, she was stripped of all likability and all visible motivation for what she was doing, it also ignored key factors of her life while somehow including them. For example the darkness that was continually spoken of, they mention it multiple times throughout the movie, yet not once did we see Mother Teresa actually convey or experience any signs of deeper darkness or doubt, instead she smiles and goes through the motion. The introduction of her character and her will to go help people was so underdeveloped that I didn't realize that she was Mother Teresa until multiple scenes later in the movie. Yet the reason I didn't give the movie an F is because the movie followed the most minimum basic beats of Mother Teresa's life, only showing what they wanted to and being, for the most part, accurate. Yet the absence of many of the other important aspects of her life make this movie a slightly biased representation of her life. This may sound like nitpicking but I truly believe what I listed above hinders the historical accuracy of this movie. This is not a movie I would recommend to view for a class, for if you are studying Mother Teresa this movie will not introduce anything new, and it may hinder what knowledge you already have.

TxMike I was able to view this movie on Netflix streaming. Judging from the few reviews and few votes not many have seen it, compared to popular blockbusters.Many will not like it because they detest anything with a religious theme. But if we look past the fact that she was a Catholic nun, and discover what was in her heart, how can anyone not love her vocation?This film is presented as flashbacks starting in 1946 when Sister Mary Theresa was a nun and teacher in the convent in India. The story shown to us comes from the letters she wrote, which came to light only in the late 1990s as her life was being examined for possible sainthood.As she looks out her window she sees suffering in the streets. In 1946 on a train ride she says she received a message from God to serve the poor and outcast. She successfully petitioned the Archbishop and the Vatican for permission to work among the poor. She eventually petitioned for and was granted a new congregation and a new religious order. She became Mother Theresa, she trained many followers, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.Juliet Stevenson is so good as Mother Teresa I soon put it past me that she was just an actress and I was able to fully appreciate who this Saint was.Edit: On Sept 4, 2016 the Pope declared Mother Teresa has been elevated to Sainthood.

David Ferguson Greetings again from the darkness. All we need is one more miracle. Having been beatified with one "confirmed" miracle, it's that missing second one that stands between Mother Teresa and Sainthood. At times the film from director William Rilead plays like a highlight reel for Mother Teresa's induction into the Catholic Hall of Fame, as the dual emphasis is on all the good things she did for the poor, as well as the surprising sense of isolation and abandonment she felt most of her life.The film is structured in flashback form as a priest played by Rutger Hauer is charged with researching the case for canonizing the late Mother Teresa. He crosses paths with Father Celeste van Exem (Max von Sydow), who shares the saved correspondence from Mother Teresa that provides the title of the movie. These very personal letters spanned 50 years and act much as a journal of her work and emotions.Most of the movie takes us through the progression of Mother Teresa's life. A slump-shouldered Juliet Stevenson portrays the nun as a woman on a mission from God … despite the obstacles from her detractors: jealous and disapproving nuns, many in the Catholic Church, and even some of the local citizens whom she desired to help. Her commitment to assist "the poorest of the poor" placed her in some tough situations and undesirable environments. She seemed to take on the suffering of those she was serving.Given her proclamation that "It's God's will, not mine", the Vatican approved her plan to go outside the Loreto Order to serve the poor. Two years later, her application for a new order was approved, resulting in the congregation of The Missionaries of Charity. Her mission then had structure and backing, and so began to make real progress.Capturing the essence of this woman is what the film does best. We absolutely understand how she became "an icon of compassion for all religions" by giving "voice to the poor". Perhaps, given the times we are in, this ability to serve multiple religions could itself by considered a miracle. As with any person who serves others, Mother Teresa had (and has) her detractors and critics. She (like her Catholic Church) opposed contraception … despite the needs within the community she served. Others accused her of mismanaging the millions in contributions, and spending too much effort recruiting new Catholics. Again, those accusations are not the purpose of the film, which instead profiles a woman who helped so many who otherwise would have been ignored in their misery.As a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1979, her commitment to the cause resulted in her most public recognition and brought her full circle from an early line of dialogue: "I may not be wanted here, but I am needed." Regardless of the Catholic rule book requirements, it's difficult to imagine a modern day person more worthy of being considered a Saint.

Rosada Nolan A beautiful, beautiful film. The message inspires and stays with you. A great movie to watch with the whole family - it will spark some real conversations about your beliefs and how to walk your talk. The actors are phenomenal. Totally believable. How interesting this film is being released now - just when the world needs Mother's message most.My family has a tradition of going to the movies together after Christmas dinner. I'm going to suggest we go to this one this year. I don't mind seeing it again. It's that good.Watch what happens in your life in the days after you see this. Miracles may manifest!