Unexpected Grace

Wasn't sure whether I would like this one but gave it a shot and glad I did! After the wedding veil second trilogy, the new year movies have been such a disappointment with bad plots and bad acting. This one broke the streak and was heartwarming with great acting. There's lots of gaps in the story and it really is a mystery of what will happen next. Adults and kids with grief, finding a glimmer of hope, only for it to be taken away, and then left to decide what will be the next step. All the characters saw "signs" from loved ones no longer here and then needed to make their own path, take control of their future, and decide what they want to do and how they would make their lives and the world better. I loved this message and how it wasn't all about fate or destiny telling you what to do but it brought everyone to a crossroad and they made the choice of moving forward and celebrating their loved ones rather than be burdened by their loss. Other than the one jealous bratty teen, there were no "villains" and this was very refreshing. It was a bit slow and the first 20 min felt like an hour and you want to scream just tell them the whole truth! But would you actually do that in that situation? Probably not. It was realistic, beautifully told, and I hope more movies are just as heartwarming!

Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries network often goes beyond the rom/com formula and this is a good example. There is a romance story squeezed in, but the movie is more a story of recovery from tragic loss. I find it interesting that one of my most memorable movies with Michael Rady is Two Turtle Doves which has some similarities to this one.

The approach taken here to the grief theme seems to me that it is a pretty sure way to grab the heartstrings. Two teenage girls dealing with loneliness are at the center of the story. Tragedy and grief are prominent in both of the central families.

There is sadness in the story yet hope outweighs the sadness.

I think all of the 3 main actors did a fine job with their parts. (I started to say 4 main actors and realized the Toni's character was ever present despite only the briefest snippet of screen time.) I don't think I need to say that they captured the emotions felt by their characters.

Side observation - in today's world of antagonism and blame everywhere you look, it was nice to see a father be open minded and not jump too quickly to accuse Noelle of impropriety in the early stages and dismiss her.

I think there is probably much to absorb in a repeated viewing that I missed the first time through.

Wonderful movie. The story was fantasic, the acting was fantastic. Pretty much a constant tearjerker combined with laughter. Wonderful story about two families who have been devastated by grief but try to move on and find happiness and friends.

Nice story of a girl who has lost her mother and is trying to make friends due to her move in the middle of the school year. She finds a balloon from someone also looking for a friend. She ends up making friends with the mother and finds a family.

Realistic.plot, no great surprises, but beautiful and moving. So glad to see Michael Rady back in a Hallmark movie.

This is a Hallmark movie, as such it is clean and the "Hallmark Kiss" comes during the last minute of the movie. My wife and I watched it streaming on Amazon Prime and think it is one of the better Hallmark movies we have watched.

I fell in love with Erica Durance when she was Lois Lane on the old Smallville series that came on air almost 20 years ago. She is still lovely and an even better actress now. Here she is Noelle, a college professor, that had lost her teenage daughter almost two years earlier, plus she and her husband appear to be headed for divorce.

Michael Rady is Jack, he had lost his wife and moved with his teenage daughter to a new town for a job as a construction chief.

Erica Tremblay is his daughter Grace, she finds a deflated balloon in their tree, it had been sent two years earlier by Noelle's now deceased daughter Toni, the thrust of the message attached was looking for a friend. So through a process that played out over time Noelle, Jack, and Grace became friends, and things developed from there.

Good script and good actors, all add up to a fine movie.

I am not sure one could adequately review this movie without including "spoilers". Thus said, I do feel it deserves to be recognized with, at least, some comments.

Recent Hallmark productions have taught me to markedly lower my expectations and it is a pleasant surprise to find that somebody there has not lost the touch.

This film deals with losses and grief with straightforward simplicity and honest emotions, devoid of intrusive messages or added intentions. There are no petty rivalries, nor abusive personalities to create drama. Good people sharing similar pain are brought together finding hope and healing. All is delivered with gentleness, grace, and moving credibility.

Erica Durance is emerging as a top star for Hallmark serious productions and, once more, does not fail in her role. Michael Rady is at his best and the young Erica Tremble, whom I remember from a few previous appearances, delivers a mature, convincing performance.

In the, regretfully rare, instances where people at Hallmark are able to focus , and keep their attention, on valid objectives, they can still create family entertainment with real value.