The Christmas Candle

This morning I went to see the movie "The Christmas Candle". It was an absolutely wonderful lovely movie! I am adding this movie to my must see list of movies for Christmas. This movie is about HOPE.....I was anxious to go see it after seeing the trailer, I love Susan Boyle, and I love Samantha Barks. I wasn't sure just what to expect. I was hoping to hear both of these lovely women singing, since that is what they are best known for. I won't tell you whether they do or not, but go see this movie. It was full of REAL, real heartaches, real emotions, real longings, real love and hope! No it is not a flashy high budget movie, but it is also not fake. It gives the message of love and hope that this world so needs and does not do it in a preachy way! Sometimes the messenger of hope is the one who needs it the most. Grab your family, bring a friend, and if you know someone who might just need a little hope, take them too! KUDOS to Max Lucado for writing the story and to the film makers for bringing it to the screen.....In my book....you get 5 stars!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Cute old time Christmas movie with the possibility of miracles. Many reviews complain about the religious aspect of this film. There's definitely a message in the movie it's too bad those who couldn't see past the Christian theme didn't understand it.

Great message, great theme, great movie! At a time when the country is down, this movie provides the inspiration of faith - faith in God and faith in our common man, and provides insights int the moral high ground, which is so desperately needed in today's society. Some critics would endeavor to apply some sort of anal-retentive logic, which, if otherwise applied to any current Hollywood movie, would deem them absurd, at best. This movie effuses the smell of ambrosial roses when compared to the wreaking odor of the garbage that currently comes out of Hollywood. Many critics miss the striking symbolism and moral overtones involved in this movie, and they fail to elucidate on the natural emotive response that the audience is sure to feel during this wonderful drama.

Plot In A Paragraph: In the heart of the English countryside lies the village of Gladbury. Legend has it every 25 years an angel visits the village candlemaker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights this candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries old legend may come to an end. When David Richmond (Hans Matheson), a young minister, arrives in Gladbury, the villagers discover a new formula for miracles: good deeds and acts of kindness. While David's quest to modernize Gladbury sets him at odds with the old world candlemaker (Sylvester McCoy) he finds an unlikely ally in the lovely skeptic, Emily Barstow (Samantha Barks). Now, the fiery candlemaker must fight to preserve the legacy of the Christmas Candle.

Not sure why I've read so much hate about this movie, it has some good performances especially Barks, McCoy and John Hannah. Susan Boyle is here too, and she performs admirably. It's far from perfect but it was a pleasant way to spend a cold winters afternoon.

I have loved Samantha Barks since I first seen her in "Les Miserables" I think she is both gorgeous and talented, and will continue to look out for her work.

One of the best Christmas movies! Has romance without being a "rom-com". Sentimental without being cheesy. Faith filled without being preachy. Some predictability but some sweet surprises too.