I am certain that the movie you're remembering is "Resurrection," a
beautiful 1980 film starring Ellen Burstyn. The ending is as you've
described it: the healer, Edna Mae, has fled the spotlight and is
operating a little gas station and gift shop. When a boy with cancer
stops by with his parents, Edna Mae gives the child a puppy and a hug,
and we are led to believe that the hug heals him. Although
"Resurrection" is presented in a very realistic and believable way, it
was not actually based upon a true story.
Here are two good descriptions of the ending:
"We saw her again as an older woman. She had bought and ran an old gas
station cafe in the Mojave Desert, where she also lived simply. She
seemed to need to escape from the doubters and troublemakers in the
revival community.
As a roadside attraction she had a 2 headed snake in a cage in the backyard.
Then a young couple traveling in a large motorhome stopped for gas.
They had a young son who had the frail look and hair loss of a dying
cancer patient. The trip seemed to be a 'last vacation' kind of trip.
When the parents went in the cafe the boy was attracted -I believe- by
some puppies. Edna could see how sick he was and let him hold a puppy
- I think she gave him one. Then asked if he would like to see the
snake.
Before the family left she hugged him goodbye, but it was more of
holding him close while the healing energy was passing from her into
the boy.
Then from his expression while they were driving away, and he and Edna
were waving goodbye, you knew that he would be well again soon. And
Edna went back to her simple life."
Internet Movie Database Boards: Resurrection
http://imdb.com/title/tt0081414/board/nest/14763587
"The final scenes show a much older Edna living in the middle of
nowhere in the desert at a gas station/tourist gift shop. A young
couple stops for gas. They have a little boy who is obviously very
sick with what I would guess to be latter-stage cancer. Before they
drive away, Edna gives the boy a long, long hug, and we know that that
little boy is probably one of the people Edna's gift has been able to
help. The ending is not a highly dramatic one--instead, it's peaceful
and full of acceptance."
Internet Movie Database Boards: Resurrection
http://imdb.com/title/tt0081414/board/flat/14789858
Another description of the film's plot:
"[Ellen] Burstyn gives a standout performance as a woman who was
mortally wounded in a car accident, faced death for a couple of
minutes, and was resuscitated by doctors. When she regained
consciousness, she was told that her husband had died in the accident
and that she was paralyzed below the waist. To seek solace, she made
her way back to the rural town where she was born, and on the way met
a strange old codger with a two-headed snake. He gave her a few kind
words and a gentle hug. During the next few weeks, she put all her
conscious energy into trying to heal her legs. She succeeded, and also
found that she could heal others. Pretty soon the word spread, and
people came from all over to be healed or to condemn her (she refused
to mention God or religion in her healing sessions). By the end of the
film, she has fled from public scrutiny to the little gas station
where the old codger and his two-headed snake lived. The man has
passed on, but she keeps the little curio shop going, and we see her
giving solace and her healing touch to a little boy with cancer who
stops by with his family."
Cine-rhama: Best American and Foreign Films
http://www.cinerhama.com/movies/movies22.html
If you'd like to purchase "Resurrection," used copies are available on VHS:
Amazon.com: Resurrection (VHS)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6300182541
Half.com: Resurrection (VHS)
http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1954784&domain_id=1877&meta_id=3
I hope this is helpful! If this is not the correct movie, or if
anything is unclear or incomplete, please request clarification; I'll
be glad to offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
