The Miracle of the Cards

A movie about how faith and hope can make a huge difference in the outcome of things...however as a Richard Thomas fan I was disappointed because he was not in it enough. You don't see him until the end and his part is small. Important but small. But it is a movie worth watching.

This is one of those feel-good Hallmark-style TV movies that is based on the true story of Marion Shergold and her son, Craig, who was plagued with a brain tumor. A leap of faith convinced them to launch a get-well campaign for the boy involving thousands of get-well cards, attempting to set a record for the most cards received for the Guiness Book of Records. Craig's will to live remains strong through the encouragement of the cards.

It's a perfect film for the entire audience, very family oriented and very heartfelt at times. The pacing and direction are well done and most of the characters were likable, with the exception of the father who showed indifference in finding a cure for Craig for some reason.

Much of the acting was OK, though there are some corny moments, including the part where Craig's older brother roots for their mom in the contest. I guess much of these made-for-TV movies have acting that is not really on par with motion picture films, but, this movie is still a pleasant viewing experience and will sure give you a tingly and chilly feeling of goodness.

Grade B

In case no one bothered to read, the film was shot in Canada. Not the USA. So even still, of course you're going to see a lot of things USA in it, since I would guess Viacom is an American company. Things get shot in Canada, because it is a lot less expensive then shooting in the USA. Many popular movies and TV shows were done there.

[1] apart from Thomas Sangster (of "Love Actually" fame), the American actors' "English" accents are appalling.

[2] the acting is so wooden.

[3] the "English" scenery (especially local church and "Royal Marsden" exteriors) is so American!

[4] the general 'direction' is so amateurish, and obviously "Made-for-US-TV".

It's a shame, as the story is real, and inspiring.

So why is it that US directors/actors all think that everyone in England speaks with a plum stuck in their cheek?

We don't!

And why use US actors and US sets but a UK boy in a UK story?

Would have been nice to have it actually filmed in the UK. The hideous clipped accents were bad enough but the hospital which looked like something from a 50's film, the post vans and ambulances that were obvious North American. And the church, no that doesn't look like it's in the middle of a forest rather than London. Luckily there's some decent actors but I can certainly see why Americans have certain views of what like here is like when you have films like this.

Oh and the addition of Union Jacks everywhere to reinforce the fact you're in the UK doesn't work.