Le Miracle du cœur

This film is a strange beast as it's better than the original first film. If you enjoyed the Christmas Shoes then you should enjoy this festive tale.

Beware though, you will need a box of tissues for the ending: This is a heartwarming tearjerker which does just as it says. Even though the clichés are throughout the story; but then again isn't that just the case in Christmas films(?); I found myself reacting to the characters situations. It's the acting and direction that work the tears free from your eyes.

I really liked the idea of "The Christmas Shoes" journey through the film. It is a little cheesy, but the world is a small place, and things like this can, and do, happen.

Well worth watching on a cold winter's night, while cuddled up under a blanket, by a fire.

Nathan (Neil Patrick Harris) is a doctor in a large, New England medical center. But, one day, after losing a teenage patient on the operating table, he decides to ask for an extended leave. Emotionally, he's drained. Heading to his hometown in Vermont, Nathan surprises his father with his visit and even more so when dad learns that his son is staying indefinitely and will help repair cars at his father's garage! Long ago, when Nathan was 10, he lost his mother and his widowed father has never looked in another lady's direction. Nathan, too, has neglected his lovelife in favor of his career. But, changes are coming. First, Grandmother finally arranges for dad to have a new office employee, a good-looking widow. Could this be a bit of matchmaking? Then, Nathan meets a lovely teacher, Meghan (Rebecca Gayheart) when her car needs some minor repairs and he soon feels the pull on his heartstrings. Also in town is a father, Tucker (Shaun Johnston) and his young son, Charlie (Angus T. Jones). Tucker takes care of lawns and home repairs and Charlie is expected to help, leaving him little time to play with friends. Meghan is Charlie's teacher and Nathan helps coach an afterschool basketball program. Soon, Nathan invites Charlie to be part of the group and the kid's got game! But, after the young lad collapses on the court, things change. Charlie is discovered to have an underlying heart condition. Will medicine save his life? Then, too, Meghan seems healthy but could she have a medical problem as well? Will Nathan open up his heart to love only to have it broken? This is a sweet film, somewhat sad but still a great reminder for everyone to count their blessings at holiday time. We need to reach out to others, even if it means getting hurt, and we also should tell those around us that we love them, for tomorrow may never come. All of the actors here do a wonderful job, making a film that could be described as somewhat contrived and improbable, work. Harris is terrific, with an understated delivery that turns occasionally stilted lines into touching ones. Jones, also, the young star of Two and a Half Men, is quite good as the ailing child. This flick is also a sequel to the movie Christmas Shoes, which starred Rob Lowe, and he is on hand to support the others. But, it is not necessary to see the films in order, as this one can be enjoyed on its own and has plenty of flashbacks. The settings, costumes, camera work and direction are mighty nice, too. If you enjoy thoughtful, romantic tearjerkers, you should ask Santa for a delivery of the DVD to your stocking. You will undoubtedly find it a blessing.

I sat down tonight to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie. The title included "Blessing" in it, so I thought this would be happy-ending movie.

Instead, the entire movie was depressing and brought my spirits down during this Christmas season. There was a list of members of two families that had died, along with a list of people who were ill and dying.

Thanks Hallmark for making our "spirits bright" and bringing us a depressing, morbid movie. The only saving grace to this movie was the excellent acting and the country singing. That's it. I will definitely not be watching this movie ever again. My sister did not like this movie either and said it had a wrong title and should not be a Christmas movie.

This made for TV movie is a sequel to the 2002 film, "The Christmas Shoes." Both are based on novels by Donna Van Liere. Some of the characters and cast are the same in the two films. But "The Christmas Blessing," has new characters and several more families and people whose paths cross in interesting ways.

So, this film has love and romance, healing from earlier losses and overcoming long-held periods of grieving. And, it offers some new tragedy with love, sacrifice and redemption. The plot in this film is very good, but considerably more complex than in the first film. It has many sub-plots, and for that reason, the script and direction have difficulty in places keeping the parts tightly together.

As in the first film, the cast are all very good. Again, the scenery, settings and camera work are all excellent as well. This is another very good film for the whole family, including younger children. It's a nice movie for the holidays, with Christmas again forming the main setting for the film.

My family and I enjoyed this movie very much. Is it possible that it will be coming out on DVD anytime soon. We look forward to watching The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessings for years and years to come. These are great family movies and even if you do not cry that much you better still have the tissue sitting right beside you. It really gets to you but in a great way. It also has great family values that are wonderful. We really need more of that. It would be wonderful if they could make another sequel to this one or think of others to do like this one. We need more things to remind us what is really important. Like is the job more important than family and friends. Is your childs life on the bottom of the totem pole compared to working constantly. I guess I think of it in more of a day to day blessing because my husband works and I stay home and take care of the kids. So that they always have a parent here to talk to. Thank you.