Miracle Mile Movie Review (1988)

If you’re looking to go back to shoulder pads, big hair, and huge cordless phones, Miracle Mile is the 80s movie for you!

There are some movies that you hear about because people love them. Usually you can find the seeds of what people connect with and you either relate or appreciate their perspective, but I think this one just went over my head.

Miracle Mile is an apocalyptic romantic comedy that is firmly set in the 1980s. When Harry happens upon his perfect woman at a museum, he and Julie begin to spend a bit of time together. Making a date after her restaurant shift ends at 12:30am, Harry goes back to his hotel to take a nap. When Harry doesn’t show up on time (because his alarm doesn’t go off on time), Julie goes home to sleep. When Harry arrives in the 3am hour, he answers a payphone and hears from the caller that there is about to be a major attack and the end of the world is upon them.

I was baffled by this film, but mostly in an amused way. I can’t say that I liked it, but I found myself constantly saying, “WHAT?!” while making a smiling-eyes-bugging-out face.

I don’t even know where to start, so here are a few things that stuck out to me as super zany – Julie’s grandma gives her sleeping pills to fall asleep and later suggests diet pills to wake her up even though it will make her vomit; Harry gets so frustrated that he randomly breaks a hanging lightbulb with his hand; they suggest flying to Antarctica because there is a valley of fresh water in the snow for generations of people; there is a full gym AND aerobics class taking place at 4am. There is also no one on the streets driving and some really incompetent police officers that probably needed more training before seriously hurting themselves.

All of this is funny in a VERY 80s way. This movie reminded me of After Hours in that zany “is this even real?” vibe, but different. Which is actually one of the questions you’re supposed to be asking about this movie. The phone call that Harry receives – is it based in truth? Where’s the proof? You’re never sure, and yet the hysteria begins.

Starring Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham (who got married in real life in 2021!), as well as a mountain of bright structured clothing, choppy hairstyles, and huge box mobile phones with an antenna (you know, the one you had in 1988 if you were REALLY important), this film is silly, dated, and quite a ride. I don’t think it was quite my humor, but people really love it, so maybe give it a chance.

Runtime: 87 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: R

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes, if you get a kick out of VERY 80s humor

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Available: To rent on Prime Video or may be available for free on other streaming platforms