Weihnachten in Conway

For those who love these movies it's enjoyable. Face it, Hallmark shows are not made for academy awards and Emmy's they are made to share warm sentiments and enjoyment for those that like them. It's enjoyable and should be viewed in that way.

Garcia gives a good performance as do most of the actors. It is nice to see some of these actors I have not seen in a number of years.

A man who loves his wife and is trying to deal with her mortality and their dreams ending. To those who have lost loved ones way too soon, it is a respectful view into how people deal with loss and forgiveness. To many this will mean a great deal.

This film is certainly a departure from what a recent viewer to Hallmark Christmas movies might expect (introduce the characters, draw characters close, introduce conflict one, resolve conflict one, introduce conflict two, resolve conflict two, happy ending). I think that's what makes it stand out and also what makes this a very special selection. Contrary to what one reviewer stated, I don't believe the overriding theme is terminal illness. I think that misses the point. What I found the overriding theme to be is love and redemption that shine in the face of a terminal illness. Which are perfect themes for a Christmas movie. I do agree with the reviews that the movie isn't one of the best acted. Even with the star power on board. So it doesn't wear as well as some. However, the story still stands well and I hope Hallmark has the good sense to keep this film in its Christmas rotation for a long time to come.

This movie tries to capture some of the ugliness of the situation this woman and her husband are in. She is dying and they all know it. It is an awful place to be. As much ugliness as the movie captures, I'm sure it doesn't come close to the reality.

As a subplot, there is a vindictive neighbor who is just plain mean and she'd like to say she is doing it for the community, but she's just doing it for her self.

The cast does a marvelous job.

My rating should not reflect the quality of this movie. This Hallmark Hall of Fame movie belongs in that category. I just can't say it was fun to watch and as I sit here immediately after finishing it, I don't think I will watch it again.

This was very good, a little heartbreaking if I'm honest but I appreciated that it wasn't the usual cheesy or corny Christmas movie. A surprisingly great cast here too; Andy Garcia, is fantastic, Mandy Moore, very believable as the home care nurse and Mary-Louise Parker is suitably sick. They all do a great job telling the story of a grumpy (heartbroken) man who goes about building a Ferris wheel for his ailing wife in their backyard as a reminder of the night he proposed to her.

There are some very heartfelt moments here and a bit of a romance hinted at between Moore and the landscaper which is left a little vague. I could have done without the brief attempts at humour from the neighbourhood Grinch woman and the cowboy junkyard man. A beautiful ending here too which at first left me surprised -what, that's it? Because I was so engrossed in the story. But then when I thought about it I realized I didn't really need to see anymore. 12/22/14

This film had quality actors playing roles with substance. Several plot lines and touching moments. They could have done without the buffoonish neighbor lady, but otherwise, I appreciated the love this man (Andy Garcia) showed for his wife in the last stages of her life. Mandy Moore was truly believable in her role as a hospice care nurse, and the relationship she developed with the dying Mrs. had depth to it. Probably a little on the unbelievable side, overall (building a ferris wheel in your back yard?), but I appreciated the fact that the end of the movie was their ride together on the wheel, and not her death.

Thumbs up!