Word: edna
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...DANIEL PETRIE'S Resurrection, Ellen Burstyn plays Edna McCauley, a bona fide, clinically tested, laying-on-of-hands faith healer. Her power defies explanation; it may be God-given, it may involve the psychic channeling of electrical impulses. Edna herself doesn't know how the power comes to her. When pressed, she says simply, "I offer it to you in the name of love...
...Edna's healing power develops after a disastrous automobile causes her to cross the brink of death. While on the operating table, she seems to hover over herself, watching the proceedings. Then she relives the crash. As the windshield shatters, geometeric patterns radiate in her field of vision. Bells chime. Light diffusing from a central source creates a tunnel. Shadowy forms of people she vaguely remembers seem to talk to her and guide her toward the light. In the distance a figure stands facing her, casually slinging a jacket over his shoulder. It's her husband, who died...
...Edna's visionary dream is based on documented testimony. In his book Life After Life, Dr. Ralph Moody finds that such a pattern emerges from the statements of people who have glimpsed death and returned to life. Carefully staying within the realm of actual experience, the movie still generates a sense of the supernatural...
...Edna first gets an inkling of her healing powers when she stops a hemophiliac child's nosebleed. Testing out her strength on herself, Edna overcomes severe nerve damage in her legs to walk unassisted. If that's you God, thank you. Or whatever great, wonderful power there is in the Universe, thank you," Edna exclaims broad-mindedly. The issue remains open. The fact is that Edna has a gift, and she uses it to heal people at gatherings in barns and assembly halls...
...earliest form, Resurrection was the story of Christ returned to earth as a woman. It was Ellen Burstyn who urged the film into the direction it ultimately took. She brings to the role her customary intelligence, passion and a humanizing sense of humor. Edna Mae is just as surprised and troubled by her healing gift as her neighbors are; and Burstyn helps the moviegoer share in this discovery. She may not walk on water, but she still performs a miracle of sorts: turning this ambitious, split-level movie into a personal triumph...