I've done 5 oil/filter changes so far on my Mirage, & I always take the oil filter off from the top. I can stand on the ground, reach down with both hands (one coming in from each side of the radiator hose), & manipulate the oil filter quite easily.
No sure how you have tried doing it or what you have used?
A 14 flute/65mm oil filter socket fits my Purolator ONE oil filters perfectly. I believe that would be the standard size for most oil filters used on the Mirage. If you don't have a oil filter socket, I would pick one up @ a store that sells oil filters. You could pull a new filter that you would use out of a box and make sure you have selected the correct oil filter socket. As long as you have a standard 3/8" ratchet drive you should have no problem removing an oil filter. If my memory serves me right, I also use a short 3" extension bar on the filter socket. These 3" extension bars are usually found in any standard 3/8" ratchet drive set.
I use the oil filter socket when tightening the filter down, too. It's not the most open spot & that makes it hard to twist the oil filter on with any major force with your hand alone. The wrench allows you to snug it up quite easily.
I my case I find myself using the same oil filter socket for a few other pieces of equipment (like my John Deere riding lawnmower & Kawasaki Mule) that I have. I have accumulated an assortment of oil filter sockets over the years. They are relatively cheap & easy to use. I have both the metal & plastic ones in that particular size. I prefer the metals ones, but the plastic one will work, too. You don't need to crank that hard on an oil filter.
I typically remove my oil filter while the oil is draining from the oil pan. It takes about 5 minutes to change an oil filter. I spend more time gathering stuff up (oil, filter, wrenches, oil drain pans, etc...) than changing the oil filter itself.
I know there is a cut out in the plastic on the bottom of the Mirage. It allows you slip a single arm/hand up to the oil filter. I seldom lie on my back to change an oil filter unless I really have too. I don't find doing it from the bottom of the Mirage necessary at all. If I had a car lift like a mechanic, I may do it that way.