Un regalo speciale

25 Days Of Christmas Cheer: Day 3:

I had to include one Hallmark esque, movie of the week style Christmas film, because they're a massive part of the sub genre, and also because The Christmas Hope is a pretty sweet little story. For all its snappiness, it actually has quite a neat little story of happenstance, compassion and redemption for its slight characters. When a young mother (Devon Weigel) dies in a car crash on her way to work, her young daughter Emily (Tori Barban) is left with no other family, and dumped with social services during the holidays. Social worker Patricia Addison (Madeleine Stowe, always awesome to see) feels for the girl, and brings her home for a few days during Christmas, temporarily. She meets Patricia's husband Mark (James Remar, toning down the tough guy persona for touching vulnerability) and learns of how they lost their son in a similar accident some years before. Eventually her presence strikes a chord with the couple, stirring up bittersweet memories for them and causing the trio to bond. Mark and Patricia are also slightly tense with each other, both still deeply hurt from the loss of their son, but Emily gradually is able to mend those wounds simply by the fact that they have opened up their home to her in her time of need. It's a low key little tale, classic Hallmark drama, but veterans Stowe and Remar, who both come from epic careers in high budget fare all across the board, elevate the script with their talents, and Ian Ziering shows up as a kindly doctor as well. Won't knock your socks off, but it's good, war,hearted entertainment for the Christmas season, with a nice little tearjerker of a cathartic moment near the end.

I cried a lot in this movie and that is why I think it doesn't have that high of a rating. I liked the writing and also the actors were all really good in my book. This movie gives back in a big way for people who understand spirit. It moved me in a deep and loving way. Not for all but I recommend it for people who need a boost or a reminder of hope, faith and love.

Back before Countdown to Christmas had thrown countless movies at us recycling the same old (Christmas) cookie-cutter themes, Lifetime gave us this movie with a premise and themes that, at least in 2019 seems refreshing. We have to deal with some deep tragedies before we can get to the good stuff and we even have a scene where the mom of the cute little girl, Emily, gets hit by a car and dies. A social worker with her own tragic backstory is loath to put Emily in a state home and instead stretches the regs and takes the cutie home with her.

This isn't really a romance movie, at least not between adults. Emily certainly romances away the hearts of everyone she meets. The acting in general is good, but Toni Barban is superb for a child actor her age.

The movie actually follow several characters who cross paths, sometimes intentionally, and sometime obliviously. The perceptive viewer knows there is a reason for this and that somehow these things are going to tie together before we're done. Well, surprise, they do, and yes most of you will need tissues. I did.

Patty (Madeleine Stowe) is awakened in the wee hours of the morning and handed a baby girl named Mia. As a social worker, she is used to emergency calls and it will be her job to find a foster home for the child ASAP. Fortunately, a foster family says yes, for Christmas is but a few days away. Patty goes home at the end of the work day and finds that her pilot husband, Mark (James Remar) is back for a spell. But, something is amiss between the two of them, as they have never fully recovered from the death of their own teenage son two years ago. Meanwhile, a little girl, Emily has been promised a special Christmas gift by her working, single mother, as soon as she gets done with her waitress shift. But, alas, her mother is in a car accident and can't return. Soon, Emily is dropped off at Patty's, too, for it is late in the evening and no one else can take her. So, another foster family has to be willing to welcome Emily. This time, Patty can't place her immediately but finds out there is an uncle who may be able to accept her in a few days. Since Christmas is so close, Mark feels it is best to give Emily a traditional Holiday, with a tree and such. But, Patty doesn't feel up to it and they argue. Also, a young doctor (Ian Ziering) and his wife are expecting their first child. Will happiness come to these nice folks at Xmas? This is a lovely film about family, loss, and new beginnings. With a nice cast, a touching script, lovely photography and a caring direction, it is a very uplifting experience. Therefore, if you are in search of a family flick which has the capacity to restore spirits, get Christmas Hope. Soon.

The plot for "The Christmas Hope" is one that might make a story any time of the year. Indeed, most long-time movie buffs will have seen several films with similar plots. Still, we are drawn to another tale of love, tragedy and loss, healing and love renewed. The Christmas setting for this film gives the plot some special twists.

The cast are all quite good. Madeleine Stowe gives an excellent performance at the grief-stricken Patricia Addison. She is on-again, off-again with her misery at the loss of her son two years before. She handles with mastery her shifts from periods of bitterness and melancholy, to those of caring for a young girl who has just lost her mother. In her tender roles as a child welfare worker, she imparts just enough reticence about warming up to a child, that one can sense the hurt and sorrow she must still feel. At the same time, we wonder why she has not been able to get through such a long period of grieving. James Remar is equally good in his lesser role as Mark Addison, her husband.

This is a very good film that the whole family should enjoy. It may take some explaining for smaller children – and reassuring. As with other melodramas of holiday periods, Christmas Hope has some interesting twists and connections.