This is a beautiful Christmas story that also has a wonderful take on cyber-bullying. Of course it is another one of those movies that is way too good to be true and that goes double for Thomas.
Oh, and bring Kleenex.
Added after second viewing:
The story is a little slow developing which is partly because everything is so negative - the implied abuse, the poverty, and the bullying. It makes up for it with an UPtv ending, which although it is a little over the top, it is also spread out a little at the end.
The acting is mostly a little stiff. It's not terrible. The actors avoid overacting. But it seems to lack a little in passion.
Throughout the movie, there are people giving thanks in prayer. There are many references to the guiding of a higher power. There is even attendance at church services mostly Christmas related. But I don't think God is specifically mentioned, or possibly but not in most of the references.
But Jesus is present without ever mentioning his name, and there is absolutely no preaching about him. Instead, Thomas does exactly What Jesus Would Do, and repeatedly. He doesn't curse his enemies, but he blesses them. And he gives to others unselfishly. I said at the beginning in my original review that the movie is too good to be true. And it is, except that one time in history, there was someone who did what was too good to be true and that is the story of which Christmas is only the beginning. So many movies talk about the "Spirit of Christmas". This movie really is the Spirit of Christmas.
