A Season for Miracles

This is a wonderful film that, while taking place during the hoildays, is one that can be viewed at any time of the year and be thoroughly enjoyed. I have watched it many times since getting it last December. As with any Hallmark show, the production values are outstanding. Although based on a book by Marilyn Pappano, the teleplay far surpasses the original. All the changes simply made for a better story.

What a great cast of veteran performers - Patty Duke, Laura Dern, Faith Prince, Kathy Baker and Lynn Redgrave in a film stealing role as a judge. Each of the supporting roles are equally effective.

This is a film that could rival "It's A Wonderful Life" as a great holiday (or any time) entertainment.

This is quite the touching movie about two kids whose lives have been pretty bad because of a drug addicted mom, and about their Aunt who tries to give them something better despite not having anything herself. It features an angel who interferes to help them short term. It's about doing what has to be done for the kids even if it is wrong. It's about forgiveness.

A viewer might question if the ends justify the means. For me that question takes a little away from this movie. Emily knew that her lies only shielded them temporarily. She did everything she could think of including loving and working hard. Only a real miracle provided by the writers of Hallmark could give Emily and the kids a future. It's miracles like these that we hope for when we watch these movies and we trust in Hallmark to provide them. This is what a Hallmark Christmas is all about.

Carla Gugino and David Conrad click together, even if the lie makes it hard for Emily to completely give her heart. Kathy Baker plays the part of the child services stereotype. She's able to act the part of blind adherence to rules without overplaying the part.

Many stories like this have come and gone since this movie was made in 1999. It's interesting to look back in time and see a Hallmark movie (before the channel) without so many of the overused tropes we see today even if the general story line is not new.

This movie is a favorite. An aunt strives to keep her niece and nephew together and are on the move at Christmas. Patty Duke is an angel. It's marvelous!

I've watched this movie over and over, and still love it. The story line is a little fantastical, totally in line with other holiday fare like "A miracle on 42nd street," but the dialog and characters are what really distinguish it. At least six of the cast have solid, deep characters with great dialog, integral to the story, which builds wonderfully and sparingly. Not an opportunity is lost for quaint, touching, moving lines (bring your tissues.) Yes, there are bad guys, but very much in the background, representative of an uncaring world. The focus here is on building family, and trust. Don't miss Mary Fogarty and Mary Louise Wilson as Agatha and Corinna, the ideal grandmothers.

Christmas fantasy about a down on her luck woman (Gugino) who kidnaps her crackhead sister's two small children to keep them out of the hands of DCF. She ends up in a small New England town where a guardian angel (Duke) sets up a series of simple events to protect the trio from harm. David Conrad plays a cop who falls for Gugino, and Lynn Redgrave is the judge who must determine the fate of the three when their secret is found out. Very low-key, with no fancy special effects. Filmed on limited sets, with an imposing stone angel statue hovering over all. This is a people story that doesn't pull any punches when it comes to dealing with the unpleasantries of the doped-up mom (Dern), who is is a criminal hospital while all this is going on. Great direction by Michael Pressman on what looks like a no-budget production. Highly recommended.