The Blessing Bracelet

8.0 stars.

As it got underway I could see this was going to be a special film. It's nice to have a story that is not totally outrageous with the miracles and the fluffy Christianity from a ridiculous perspective. A lot of Hallmark movies overstate these "miracles", making them out to be modern fairy tales. Yes, I believe in miracles, but how can we rightly believe that God will answer every little question or request by sending a fantastical set of signs and wonders? I would be in the majority who find those sorts of movies to be unconvincing.

'The Blessing Bracelet' is an understated version of an inspirational film, a tale of a woman who resorts to prayer to reconstruct a devastated life. Her husband disappeared 3 years ago leaving her and their son alone with massive debts. She is about to lose the house and she's in a very grim state trying to pick up the pieces of her life and learn to gain trust in men and life in general. God answers her prayers in a subtle yet undeniable way, and she builds her life once again until she is now in a better place than she was before. It's quite an endearing story of redemption, community and charity.

This Hallmark movie is just a little different from the run of the mill Hallmark movie. There is a mother who has been betrayed by her (now ex) husband and her son who misses his Dad who he has not seen in 3 years. The Mom has been (unsuccessfully) struggling to get herself caught up on all the debt that's been accumulating since the hubby walked away. Thankfully she has great friends who are willing to help. On the way to an annual Valentine dinner with her friends, she finds a "Blessing Bracelet" she and her friends used to make in high school. She wears it to the dinner and the blessings start. Of course, a romance begins and a complication arises, but the "Blessing Bracelet" she wears is a reminder that faith and hope can work miracles.

First, Amanda's flat wig was a cross between Nicole Kidman and Veronica Lake, and looked old fashioned for 2024. The U. S have always been a bit behind in the fashion stakes, with some lead ladies looking like 1960s country singers.

The storyline was different, but whereas we know that Hallmark scriptwriters love lines that include "listen to your heart" and ""follow your heart" - (do people actually talk like that ? They do in Hallmarkland apparently), I found that the constant referrals to faith, God and community, a bit OTT. Maybe it's because here in the UK we don't "do" faith films we're just not that preachy. We go to whichever church our God dictates - if we go, but we're pretty much low key in our faith so yes, I do find this film a bit cheesy.

The two leads were well matched, and it was an OK watch. I've seen much worse.

Count your blessings plus a dose of forgiveness are the ideas behind this movie. A divorced woman who seems to be hopelessly in debt thanks to her ex stumbles on the idea of making these bracelets to remind people to count their blessings. These main ideas plus some chemistry between Amanda Schull and Carlo Marks are enough to make this a pleasant watch.

The story is simplistic and predictable. There are no great highs or lows or surprises and very little tension beyond Dawn's financial crisis which the viewer knows is somehow going to be rescued by the bracelet business.

I often say that these movies struggle with any resemblance to reality but this one really stretches things. The business model portrayed in the movie is a confusing mess but somehow produces revenue enough to pay off months of back house payments and more. I was surprised when I did an internet search and saw one article claim the inspiration for these was an actual product on Amazon. Looking there I saw the subject bracelets were selling for nearly $30 each. Still.

There is an unintentional secret in the story which leads to a conflict. I thought that was overplayed, but they needed something and I guess the backstory does sort of explain the anger.

For those who don't like religious sermonizing, that part of this story is benign. While Dawn talks to God several times and emphasizes counting her blessings, the movie is far from preachy. And she could have been part of almost any mainstream religion.

Let's forget about the faith based aspects of this film for a moment and just say that overall it was an above average Hallmark film.

The script was pretty sharp and acting was solid. It was obviously predictable but you still were rooting for various characters, even with the outcome already known.

One of the ways that I rate these movies is how frequently I have to suspend disbelief, and how ludicrous those moments are. This film only had 2 or 3 aspects which made me roll my eyes...which is pretty low compared to the average Hallmark film.

Ok...now to the faith part and overall message. I know this angle will be divisive but I thought it was well done, with things even non-Christians could take from it. It is unusually direct in its Christian references, which I liked but understand how others might not be.