The Gift of Peace

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.

In a year when TV viewers are submerged in a sea of mostly insipid and uninspired Christmas movies, Hallmark has the courage to produce a story with real emotions and Christian values. Frankly, I am fed up with silly contests, childish antagonisms, and heroines that are passionately kissing a new love just a couple of days after breaking up with a boyfriend. Here we have people with honest feelings of grief, after a loss, who find closure and new hope through friendship, caring for others , and faith. The characters feel real, with true human dimensions and the sentiments are expressed with measure, which conveys their relevance with subtlety, yet poignancy. Nikki Deloach is wonderful in her role and Brennan Elliott shines, as well. Actually all actors provide very credible performances, probably a reflection of a solid script and wise direction. The movie leaves you with more than just holiday mirth. It leaves you reflecting on realistic and deeper human values. I must confess I am not a churchgoer. Yet, I can only admire the strength and kindness of this story. After all, this is what Christmas is supposed to be about.

7.0 stars.

I rate these Hallmark movies based on specific criteria, most of which this movie does not attempt in any way to measure up. This is solely about grief, and loss of a loved one. If you've ever gone to grief share meetings, or the like, and you've lost a spouse, friend, parent, child, sibling, or even a beloved pet - seeing this may be a good experience for you. I lost my mom about 5 months ago. Nothing mends the soul but God and time.

This movie is rated 7.0 simply because it's a blessed thing. It is a capably made film, meets all the basic standards. There is no romance, no comedy, nothing like that. It is 100% unadulterated hope and 'The Gift of Peace' for those who need it.

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.