Un Natale speciale

Mary Louise Parker is excellent. She doesn't really seem sick (she even has her hair) but it's just that her character is so strong and won't give up. And no matter what, she shows concern for others.

I didn't recognize Andy Garcia, though he looks like Mitt Romney in this. Garcia is nothing like his past roles, but he is very good here, providing the perfect balance between bitter curmudgeon and loving but sad husband.

Mandy Moore is sweet and caring, and determined to do whatever is necessary.

Riley Smith is likable as Tommy.

I didn't know Cheri Oteri but I sort of remember her from "Saturday Night Live" prime-time specials and clips. She provides most of the desperately needed humor.

Mark Jeffrey Miller also stands out and gives us a few more laughs, showing a mix of bitterness and caring as the former carnival worker.

I have only one complaint. They obviously didn't film this movie in the real towns. The movie was set in Conway and it has the Spanish moss that helps make the town so attractive. As the couple rode to Myrtle Beach, they crossed an attractive bridge which I've never seen. Conway has a real nice bridge they should have used. The Riverwalk was mentioned but I don't think the real one was shown, because I have visited it for the past six years and it didn't look quite like that. I have passed Family Kingdom amusement park in Myrtle Beach many times and may have gone there (whatever it was called then) as a child nearly fifty years ago. I don't think that was the real Family Kingdom either. And Moncks Corner is not as close to Conway as they made it look, and nowhere near a freeway.

This is a family movie, but it doesn't shy away from the reality of terminal illness.

But this is a worthy effort for the Hallmark Hall of Fame.

I live 20 mins from Family Kingdom and it was the real Amusement Park, I agree with you that Moncks Corner is not a short drive from Myrtle Beach. Also I agree that the RiverWalk was not given justice, The RiverWalk is a pleasant place to visit and was obviously not the same one in the movie. With that said it was nice to see that South Carolina (Grandstrand) was the setting for a Christmas movie. I would rate the movie 9 from a scale for 1-10. I was saddened to see that all the details wasn't exact but movies are based in towns all across America and are obviously not filmed in the exact town there based on simply due to the fact for permits and etc.

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!

I am a hospice volunteer sitter, and this movie was particularly inspiring to me. It gave a realistic picture of what hospice patients and their family members go through and also the compassion of people who work in hospice occupations. It reflected the message of what hospice is all about. Movie is sad but also contains moments of humor and the love and compassion from the most unexpected people. Great actors and great writing and storyline. Love to see movies that reflect caring people. Loved it and great acting! Highly recommend, especially to families that have had loved ones under the care of hospice. This movie would be a great training tool for employees to watch!

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