Le Miracle du cœur

In this sequel to 'The Christmas Shoes', attorney Robert Layton (Rob Lowe) finds the shoes that changed his life in a dumpster at a church, where people deposit clothes for the poor.

Nathan Andrews (Neil Patrick Harris) is grown up now. As a young surgeon, when Nathan loses a patient, he says, "I can't do this any more" and returns home. He works in the garage run by his father Jack (Hugh Thompson), where he meets Megan (Rebecca Gayheart). Megan needs for her car to be fixed and, since she is learning Spanish, pretends that is all she speaks. Of course, Nathan is also deceiving Megan by pretending to be a mechanic. Lydia (Wanda Cannon) does Jack's office work and gives out advice.

The shoes end up in the possession of Tucker Bennett (Shaun Johnston), who moves around a lot and does yard work. He doesn't want to tell his son Charlie (Angus T. Jones) the truth about what happened to the boy's mother, who he claims was a dancer and wore the shoes.

Megan turns out to be Charlie's teacher. And Charlie has some difficulty as the new kid in school. Nathan shows up to volunteer at the playground where Charlie goes after school, and the two become friends. Also at the playground, Megan meets Nathan once again (can you guess where this might be going?).

Three characters in the movie go through crisis. For two, the situation may be life-threatening. A miracle may be necessary for everyone's problems to be solved. Sadly, the movie does not end well for all, but the ending is satisfying.

This is generally a pleasant family movie, even if the circumstances are not always positive. Neil Patrick Harris does a good job, and his best moments are in scenes with Angus T. Jones. Angus shows much of the same charm that he displays when playing live-action TV's most adorable brat on 'Two and a Half Men'. And Rebecca Gayheart stands out as the devoted teacher. Rob Lowe appears in only a few scenes but does quite well with them.

Some people may enjoy the music by NewSong and Blake Shelton. I'm afraid I can't be counted among them.

Overall, it was a nice movie. Just be prepared for tears.

This film is a strange beast as it's better than the original first film. If you enjoyed the Christmas Shoes then you should enjoy this festive tale.

Beware though, you will need a box of tissues for the ending: This is a heartwarming tearjerker which does just as it says. Even though the clichés are throughout the story; but then again isn't that just the case in Christmas films(?); I found myself reacting to the characters situations. It's the acting and direction that work the tears free from your eyes.

I really liked the idea of "The Christmas Shoes" journey through the film. It is a little cheesy, but the world is a small place, and things like this can, and do, happen.

Well worth watching on a cold winter's night, while cuddled up under a blanket, by a fire.

The church featured at the beginning of The Christmas Blessing (2005, Lowe NPH et al) here Rob Lowe finds the shoes in the trash, since such things are rarely done exclusively on a studio set and I must presume done on location, does anybody happen to know the name of that church and where it is located? I was curious because it has similar design elements to an older Catholic church in my own hometown. I know that many of them are often even during that time have many similar elements or from the same designer, including elements such as window trim design of high Altar and what not, but such did have my curiosity biting at me

Anybody that knows enough about the production of this film to know the answer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and God bless.

Nathan (Neil Patrick Harris) is a doctor in a large, New England medical center. But, one day, after losing a teenage patient on the operating table, he decides to ask for an extended leave. Emotionally, he's drained. Heading to his hometown in Vermont, Nathan surprises his father with his visit and even more so when dad learns that his son is staying indefinitely and will help repair cars at his father's garage! Long ago, when Nathan was 10, he lost his mother and his widowed father has never looked in another lady's direction. Nathan, too, has neglected his lovelife in favor of his career. But, changes are coming. First, Grandmother finally arranges for dad to have a new office employee, a good-looking widow. Could this be a bit of matchmaking? Then, Nathan meets a lovely teacher, Meghan (Rebecca Gayheart) when her car needs some minor repairs and he soon feels the pull on his heartstrings. Also in town is a father, Tucker (Shaun Johnston) and his young son, Charlie (Angus T. Jones). Tucker takes care of lawns and home repairs and Charlie is expected to help, leaving him little time to play with friends. Meghan is Charlie's teacher and Nathan helps coach an afterschool basketball program. Soon, Nathan invites Charlie to be part of the group and the kid's got game! But, after the young lad collapses on the court, things change. Charlie is discovered to have an underlying heart condition. Will medicine save his life? Then, too, Meghan seems healthy but could she have a medical problem as well? Will Nathan open up his heart to love only to have it broken? This is a sweet film, somewhat sad but still a great reminder for everyone to count their blessings at holiday time. We need to reach out to others, even if it means getting hurt, and we also should tell those around us that we love them, for tomorrow may never come. All of the actors here do a wonderful job, making a film that could be described as somewhat contrived and improbable, work. Harris is terrific, with an understated delivery that turns occasionally stilted lines into touching ones. Jones, also, the young star of Two and a Half Men, is quite good as the ailing child. This flick is also a sequel to the movie Christmas Shoes, which starred Rob Lowe, and he is on hand to support the others. But, it is not necessary to see the films in order, as this one can be enjoyed on its own and has plenty of flashbacks. The settings, costumes, camera work and direction are mighty nice, too. If you enjoy thoughtful, romantic tearjerkers, you should ask Santa for a delivery of the DVD to your stocking. You will undoubtedly find it a blessing.

This made for TV movie is a sequel to the 2002 film, "The Christmas Shoes." Both are based on novels by Donna Van Liere. Some of the characters and cast are the same in the two films. But "The Christmas Blessing," has new characters and several more families and people whose paths cross in interesting ways.

So, this film has love and romance, healing from earlier losses and overcoming long-held periods of grieving. And, it offers some new tragedy with love, sacrifice and redemption. The plot in this film is very good, but considerably more complex than in the first film. It has many sub-plots, and for that reason, the script and direction have difficulty in places keeping the parts tightly together.

As in the first film, the cast are all very good. Again, the scenery, settings and camera work are all excellent as well. This is another very good film for the whole family, including younger children. It's a nice movie for the holidays, with Christmas again forming the main setting for the film.