“To be Irish is to know that in the end the world will break your heart.” — Daniel Patrick Moynihan

There are broken hearts here in director Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s film and Jimmy Smallhorne, Timothy Prager and Joshua D. Maurer’s story.

It’s an Irish story, full of secrets, lost loves and rain.

It’s about three women, Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Laura Linney and Ireland. How much more do you need to know? Are they all Irish? Does it matter?

You’ll find a place in a pale Irish sun, in the presence of greatness, of grace and talent, with actors full of the gifts bestowed on a precious few.

There is a lot of Irish blood here: genuine Irish actors like Stephen Rea (“The Crying Game” 1992) and the little fictitious town of Ballygar, (it was actually shot in Dublin.) A tiny smear on a muddy road in Galway County, Ireland, in 1967.

It begins at a solitary memorial service in a rocky place overlooking the sea, where Lily (Maggie Smith) brings her rosary and flowers daily, for her son whose stone says “Drowned here in the sea.”

His mysterious drowning is at the core of everyone’s memory, and stays hidden in each heart until the final scenes.

In this ancient town we meet three women, the very old Lily Fox (the hallowed Maggie Smith) and Eileen Dunne (the very special Kathy Bates) and the young and venerable Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) with her little son (Eric D. Smith) who cannot speak.

They are all seated at the funeral mass for a beloved friend, Maureen.

Eileen, deeply cynical and troubled by a “lump” in her chest, and Lily wear faces creased with tears, and keep dark secrets in their pockets that not even time can wash away.

We begin the way many Irish stories do, with a laugh and a song, sung here at a contest, sponsored by the local priest, Father Dermot Byrne (Mark O’Halloran).

We’re treated to a comical musical number (The Chiffon’s “He’s So Fine”) by our three ladies in flowered homemade matching dresses, who hope to win the top prize of a free trip to the holy site of Lourdes in France, where many believe The Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette.

Sadly, our trio comes in second, but as this story is about miracles, the winning boy gives them his tickets, and we’re off to Lourdes and its parade of the faithful, including our ladies, to bathe in the pool of holy water.

Enter Chrissie. As they prepare for their trip, the deceased Maureen’s daughter Chrissie (Laurie Linney) steps off the bus. She, who we learn, was more or less a “run away” to Boston (of course) arrives moments too late for her mother’s last breath.

Chrissie is not well received by Eileen or anyone else who remembers. Forty years is a long time ago in Boston; in Ballygar, it’s last week.

Under fifties don’t know of Chrissie or her past. Older Ballygar-ians keep scrapbooks next to their Bibles. Chrissie speaks softly in educated tones and keeps her suitcase unopened. That will change.

The bus of hope pulls out but stops suddenly on the road. Chrissie stands in front of it with a smile and her bag. There will be room for one more.

We’re only in Lourdes long enough to smell hope and taste disappointment. Chrissie must share a one bedroom with Lily. Pay attention. Forty years of words will be exchanged, and pain will ease.

To tell you more would steal the magic of it all from you, and magic there will be.

“The Miracle Club” opens on July 28 at the Maine Film Center in Waterville.

J.P. Devine of Waterville is a former stage and screen actor.

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