Faithful as it is to the sports movie formula, Miracle is a great movie because of how it lets its characters live beyond the boundaries of all the requisite stock character types. Kurt Russell doesn't play the generic down-and-out coach with one last big shot, he plays this down-and-out coach with one last big shot, if you get the distinction. Formulas became formulas in the first place because when done right, they work well. This movie works well. That it is based on a true story adds to its effectiveness.