The Heart of Christmas

The storyline was good, but the acting was definitely lacking.

VERY dry emotion.

I felt like I was right there with them all. So real and professionally acted. You feel moved by the emotions and want to see them get through their trials. The child actors are tops in their field! I couldn't imagine how these tots could take such complex directing so well. And their filling the roles of their little charactors was so impressive. Directing, music, camera work, editing, and cinematography are spot-on. My faith, and appreciation, were greatly bolstered.

I see many other reviews have praised the acting but I don't understand why. It's awful acting and in many parts, awful writing too. I appreciate it's based on a true story and I don't want to take anything away from it, but I agree with one reviewer who said it's like a commercial for the hospital. If you're looking for a tear-jerker, there's way better films out there.

I'm not a "pearl clutching" type but my oh my, the venom being hurled at this film as being "just a commercial", well, no it's not just a commercial it's a movie and yes it's also trying to raise funds for....sick kids and desperate parents, what's wrong with that?

Then there seems to be this bickering over the acting with some feeling they have to praise it and others ripping on it. Reality is, the acting was acceptable and got the job done, really not the point of the film.

So, how about I actually review the film itself eh? I don't want to spoil stuff but I'll just say I popped it in a few Christmases ago not super paying attention at 1st cuz figured it was gonna be another standard fare Candace/Hallmark film - which I enjoy them - but just saying I had no idea how serious this was going to get.

I do recommend this film and won't give away specific plot details but will "forewarn" parents, this does deal with the often harsh realities of children getting sick, there's no graphic surgeries shown or anything like that, but this is about a real childrens ward and not all the characters are going to have a happy ending.

All the actors were great. Extremely liked Austin and his dad and mom. Hope to see them in other movie's! This movie will make you move on the inside with emotions. I am not an emontional person but watching what they all went thru and to see a mom and dad be so strong with the child of a disease the true parents if they are this strong God has to be with them.I hope that this movie will be one that the family looks forward to seeing every Christmas. I also believe that this movie should be viewed at youth detention centers. Maybe it would help the children who think they have a problem realize that they really don't. I pastor a church and have told my members to watch this movie with their children.