Three Wishes (1995)

A widow struggles to raise her family in a 1955 suburb and finds herself getting a little help and inspiration from an unexpected source in this touching "feel good" film. The tale is told via flashback from the perspective of Tom, who is first seen as a family man, disillusioned with his suburban lifestyle. Thinking back to '55, he remembers the strange events that changed their lives. It began when his mother Jeanne, whose husband died in the Korean War, was driving through town and accidentally hit transient Jack McCloud. After the hospital put a cast upon his broken leg, the police want to jail him for vagrancy, but Jeanne will have none of that. Instead, she ignores the warnings of others and takes Jack and his dog into her home until he recovers. He is an odd man, taciturn, a little anti-social and difficult to understand. Jeanne describes him as one "not of this world." Though skeptics shake their head, she just may be right. When not caring for him, she continues taking care of Tom and his little brother Gunny, trying to start her own business, and spending time with her white-breaded beau, Phil. There is something curious about Jack though and during his brief visit, each member of the family has a wish granted. Afterward, in an emotional, miraculous climax Jack goes on his way and as Tom remembers, his faith in life is suddenly restored.