The Gift of Peace

Having personally lost someone and having to process that loss during the holidays, this movie touched my heart in so many ways and was such a blessing to me. Nikki DeLoach and Brennan Elliott, along with the other actors, did a wonderful job of portraying those who are struggling to process the loss of loved ones. Their stories are genuine and very touching as they share what they are feeling. They are honest in their grief and in the way they share their hearts. I hope that others who watch this are as touched by the senitments expressed as much as I was, especially if they are still processing the loss of someone special in their lives.

This is the first time I've ever felt a Hallmark film deserved a 10 rating! Having lost our spouses 20 years ago and meeting at a bereavment group, both myself and my wife had tears in our eyes throughout this film. The story was so familiar to both of us. Trying to overcome the loss of someone you thought you'd spend the rest of your life with was devestating. Going to the meetings with others we could identify with was very helpful since neither family or close friends could. We both were leary at first to open up at the meetings, just as Nikki's character was. Then when she was in a situation with Brendan's character where they were actually having fun, she had these guilt feelings. My wife and I could identify with these exact feelings.

Finally, in the end they both realize, as our priest told us, life is for the living. This movie hit every nerve in our bodies and made us remember all those feelings we had of never being able to move on, Yet somehow, we found each other and have enjoyed a wonderful life together. This was the best Hallmark film.

What can you say about a movie that touches your heart & soul? Both @Nikki DeLoach & Brennan Elliott flexed their acting muscles as well as their inner emotions to bring a story of a church grief support experiencing varying stages of grief. Both were exemplary, but it was Brennan Elliott's character, Michael, the leader of the support group who gave an award deserving performance as someone who has masked his grief, whether through denial or pain, and instead puts on a brave front to assist the other group members. Both he & Nikki DeLoach, as well as the supporting cast showed the struggles of pain, anger, denial, and remorse while going through the grief process with the thread of their Christian faith sustaining their journey. This was a welcome departure from the usual formulaic rom-com Christmas Hallmark movies. Most of us have experienced some form of grief in our lives. The Gift of Peace might be the best produced & acted Hallmark movie I've ever seen. Have your tissues handy and find the faith, joy, and hope this movie offers during a season that can be difficult for many who have suffered a loss in their life.

For anyone expecting a Hallmark romcom, this is NOT a Hallmark romcom. It's most definitely a drama, and for the most part a very depressing drama.

It centers around a grief therapy group, so all your principal characters are in grief and haven't recovered from their loss, including the man who leads the group.

We've liked both leads in other movies, and they do a good job with this, but be ready to be sad for two hours. Even the romantic solution at the end doesn't do much to lift your spirits.

For those who, in particular, have lost a close spouse, this movie is more likely to mire you back into that experience, I'd think, than anything else. We found it sad and neither my wife nor I have lost a spouse.

So, you're fairly warned.

This is a film with a message about grief, loss and faith. There is a heavy Christian message, so forewarned if that message will bother you.

It tells the story of a painter named Traci who's husband passed away two years prior. Not only was he her husband but her painting partner as well. As her father said, they complemented each other. Traci, her family and friends all had faith and prayed for her husband's brain surgery to be successful. When it wasn't, Traci became angry, stopped praying, stopped going to church and almost gave up on her painting career.

Traci's friend and manager advises her to attend her church's support group. The support group is small and consists of the leader, an elderly woman who lost her husband who was the Santa Claus to her Mrs. Claus, a younger woman whose mom and fellow choir member passed, and a young man whose grandmother passed leaving him her baking business which didn't go well with his family.

This is all about having a safe space to talk or not talk...but most importantly to know what you are feeling is ok. What a wonderful message. I cried and cried, but it was good.

I recommend this to anyone who has experienced loss. It was quite lovely.