The heartwarming drama Ordinary Angels, now streaming on Netflix, has captivated audiences with its tale of community spirit and human resilience. Starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, this Christian-themed film tells an extraordinary true story that unfolded during one of North America's most severe weather events.
The Real-Life Inspiration
At the centre of this remarkable narrative is Sharon Stevens, a successful hairdresser from Louisville, Kentucky, whose life took an unexpected turn in 1994. The film faithfully portrays how Stevens discovered the plight of the Schmitt family through a newspaper article that would change her life forever.
A Family in Crisis
The Schmitt family faced unimaginable challenges. Five-year-old Michelle Schmitt and her older sister Ashley both suffered from biliary atresia, a rare liver condition that obstructs bile ducts and causes serious liver complications. Their mother, Theresa Schmitt, had tragically passed away in August 1992 from complications of Wegener's disease at just 29 years old, leaving the girls in the care of their grandmother.
The family's situation was dire - they had exhausted their financial resources, lacked health insurance, and saw no clear path forward for Michelle's urgently needed liver transplant. Ashley had received her own transplant in Nebraska in 1991 when she was three years old, but now Michelle required the same life-saving procedure.
Community Mobilisation
Sharon Stevens, moved by the family's circumstances, sprang into action. She contacted her minister at Southeast Christian Church, only to discover the congregation was already supporting the Schmitt family. Undeterred, Stevens became instrumental in organising fundraising efforts that gathered tens of thousands of pounds to cover medical expenses, including medication, hospital trips to Omaha, and accommodation for the family during treatment.
Stevens had meticulously planned for the family to travel by private aircraft from Louisville to Omaha for the transplant procedure. However, nobody could have anticipated the timing of the donor organ becoming available - it happened the morning after Louisville experienced a record-shattering 16-inch snowfall.
The Historic Snowstorm
The film accurately depicts the devastating 1994 North American cold wave that serves as the dramatic backdrop to this story. This historic weather event claimed over 100 lives across the United States and brought temperatures not seen since the catastrophic 1934 storm.
In Louisville specifically, an unprecedented snowstorm paralysed the city for nearly a week in January 1994, arriving without warning and creating almost impossible travel conditions. The timing couldn't have been worse - Michelle had mere hours to reach the hospital in Omaha before the donor liver became unusable.
The Miraculous Journey
What happened next demonstrated extraordinary community spirit. Hundreds of Louisville residents volunteered to clear snow so an air ambulance helicopter could land near the Schmitt family's home. The helicopter transported three-year-old Michelle (the film depicts her as five) to Standiford Field Airport, where a waiting private jet flew her to Omaha, Nebraska.
This incredible coordinated effort earned Michelle the nickname "miracle snow baby" and ensured she arrived at the hospital in time for the successful transplant procedure.
Artistic Liberties and Family Approval
While the film takes some creative liberties - most notably portraying Sharon Stevens as struggling with alcoholism, which the real Stevens never experienced - the Schmitt family fully endorsed the adaptation. Michelle's sister Ashley Schmitt revealed to WDRB that they had met with director Jon Gunn and were pleased with how he handled their story.
Ashley reflected on the film's title, noting it was "perfect, because there were a lot of just ordinary angels that day that made it possible for us to get out of the city to get Michelle her transplant."
Critical Reception and Legacy
Originally distributed by Lionsgate in February 2024 before arriving on Netflix, Ordinary Angels has earned favourable reviews from critics, who praised it as a "sweet display of humanity." The film boasts an impressive 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site's summary highlighting how "this sweet display of humanity is stabilized by Hilary Swank in a role that plays to the heartstrings."
Tragically, the real Michelle Schmitt passed away in May 2021 during the filming of Ordinary Angels, adding a poignant layer to this already emotional story. Her legacy, however, lives on through this powerful film that celebrates community, compassion, and the extraordinary actions of ordinary people.
The film stands as a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together during times of crisis, reminding viewers that sometimes the most remarkable heroes are the ordinary people who choose to make a difference.
