O Milagre de Natal de Jonathan Toomey

I love the book by this name. It is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations. However, this movie is such a poor retelling of it. Many movies feel like they didn't really need to be made. They feel forced and contrived, and that's what I see here. I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as I hoped I would. It felt like everyone was just going through the motions. I wouldn't watch this again if I had to. There are so many high-achieving Christmas movies. This one falls so far short of my expectations. I didn't even feel like the adapted screenplay was appropriate. The setting felt off, even. They could have done so much better.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a Christmas film, that shows us how to love others in many ways. This movie is a great non-rated film with morals and it has something for all ages!

Tom Berenger does a wonderful job playing a gloomy Jonathan Toomey. Children make fun of his sad disposition, but when you learn more about the man, you understand why he is downcast. Jonathan is a widower, who lost his wife and baby son and he is a very lonely man.

Jonathan's life gradually changes in a positive way, when he mets Thomas, played by Luke Ward Wilkerson, and the boy's mother, Susan McDowel, played by Joely Richardson. These two come into the man's life, after Thomas's father is killed in a war.

The lonely threesome become friends, when Jonathan agrees to make a wooden nativity set for Thomas. Their relationships are strained at first, but later on Jonathan warms up to Thomas, after the boy is sweetly particular about how the manger characters should be carved.

During the cute movie, other relationships build with Thomas and other children, and his mom and lovable aunt. (The aunt thinks that she lost her husband in the war, but later we find out that he was just lost in action for awhile.) The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey was very well done, except that I would like to have heard more religious Christmas music in the movie. Also, I did not enjoy the whiny country singer at the closing of the film. However, the movie still deserves a 9 out of 10, because the story was very well developed and it shows how the love of Jesus can make a positive difference in people's lives. The top stars in this movie are really Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and a caring, sweet boy, Thomas!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a wonderful movie! It is a moving story about a mother and son, who lose the father in a war. They must sell their pretty city home soon after this,and move from the boy's sweet grandparents.

They travel to live with an aunt on a farm, who is also struggling financially, because her husband has been reported as missing in action. Their adjustments are not easy, but a few situations are really hilarious!

Luke Ward-Wilkinson is Thomas in this movie. He does an outstanding performance and he is very likable. All of the actors do a wonderful job in their roles. Mr. Berenger, as Mr. Toomey, the woodcarver is really great! This heartwarming story shows how a sweet lad can melt the hearts of even the grumpiest, gloomiest people and how caring and love can change the lives of lonely people in a miraculous way. This movie has been very under-rated by some people. It's a Christmas story that everyone should see. It's full of surprises and it is a beautiful Christmas story!

Bill Clark, thank you for making this very special film. Please make more films like this one, that are non-rated, wholesome entertainment! May God richly Bless you, as you put his love into your future productions!

It's ironic, but some of the best Christmas movies are those with a deep strain of melancholy under the surface. THE Christmas MIRACLE OF JOHNATHON TOOMEY is just that; a tale of loss and heartache, yet never losing the hope that is Christmas.

All the leads give excellent performances, the cinematography is solid, and the script, while not breaking any new ground, constantly draws us in. These are characters we come to like and root for!

This story of the meeting of lonely and sad people is a gentle, moving and warming tale that I think both older (8+ ?) children and adults will appreciate. The cast generally give a good performance and gel well - you can really feel the changing relationships as the story plays out. Luke Ward-Wilkinson does rather well and is very likable - he does not annoy like many child actors. Berenger also portrays Mr Toomey in a very believable way.

The cinematography is nice in many places, especially the idealistic scenes of the country village. The outside of the Toomey house looks very much like a studio set, shot from the immediate front, but this somehow adds to the overall feeling of separation and is in no way a problem. Aside from the issue of death, there are no disturbing scenes, "colourful" language, or issues not suitable for youngsters and this makes for a very enjoyable, slow paced, experience.

The film starts and ends in a Christmas setting, the remainder being time between, and so would suit a festive, wintery viewing with the whole family. The film does make you appreciate the ones you love and want to give them a hug.

It would be nice to know "what happens next" but maybe that is part of the appeal of the story - following the journey up to a point, then leaving the characters with their new start.