Unexpected Grace

7.7 stars.

This is the story of a woman named Noelle who loses her 14 year old daughter Maya, we don't know how, but it's probably cancer. A man named Jack comes to town with his young daughter Grace, and they find something in their tree that was left behind from Maya, and that something is a letter written to the world and attached to a balloon. Jack and Noelle almost run into each other twice not realizing Grace has Maya's lost letter. Eventually the coincidence connections are realized. Noelle does not believe in coincidence. The letter transforms Grace's life and soon Jack and Noelle grow fond of each other. The story goes deeper and deeper into their relationship as they all are still healing the loss of Maya and Jack's wife too, who also died some years ago. It's a very touching movie mainly about recovering from pain and sadness on losing a loved one. Noelle's ex-husband is still having a hard time getting over the loss of their daughter, and coincidentally meets Jack in another city, and there are too many coincidences in this film. I recommend it.

Great acting and heartwarming scenes make this a must see tearful and 'Unexpected Grace'.

Wasn't sure whether I would like this one but gave it a shot and glad I did! After the wedding veil second trilogy, the new year movies have been such a disappointment with bad plots and bad acting. This one broke the streak and was heartwarming with great acting. There's lots of gaps in the story and it really is a mystery of what will happen next. Adults and kids with grief, finding a glimmer of hope, only for it to be taken away, and then left to decide what will be the next step. All the characters saw "signs" from loved ones no longer here and then needed to make their own path, take control of their future, and decide what they want to do and how they would make their lives and the world better. I loved this message and how it wasn't all about fate or destiny telling you what to do but it brought everyone to a crossroad and they made the choice of moving forward and celebrating their loved ones rather than be burdened by their loss. Other than the one jealous bratty teen, there were no "villains" and this was very refreshing. It was a bit slow and the first 20 min felt like an hour and you want to scream just tell them the whole truth! But would you actually do that in that situation? Probably not. It was realistic, beautifully told, and I hope more movies are just as heartwarming!

I am not sure one could adequately review this movie without including "spoilers". Thus said, I do feel it deserves to be recognized with, at least, some comments.

Recent Hallmark productions have taught me to markedly lower my expectations and it is a pleasant surprise to find that somebody there has not lost the touch.

This film deals with losses and grief with straightforward simplicity and honest emotions, devoid of intrusive messages or added intentions. There are no petty rivalries, nor abusive personalities to create drama. Good people sharing similar pain are brought together finding hope and healing. All is delivered with gentleness, grace, and moving credibility.

Erica Durance is emerging as a top star for Hallmark serious productions and, once more, does not fail in her role. Michael Rady is at his best and the young Erica Tremble, whom I remember from a few previous appearances, delivers a mature, convincing performance.

In the, regretfully rare, instances where people at Hallmark are able to focus , and keep their attention, on valid objectives, they can still create family entertainment with real value.

Wonderful movie. The story was fantasic, the acting was fantastic. Pretty much a constant tearjerker combined with laughter. Wonderful story about two families who have been devastated by grief but try to move on and find happiness and friends.

Nice story of a girl who has lost her mother and is trying to make friends due to her move in the middle of the school year. She finds a balloon from someone also looking for a friend. She ends up making friends with the mother and finds a family.

Realistic.plot, no great surprises, but beautiful and moving. So glad to see Michael Rady back in a Hallmark movie.

Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries network often goes beyond the rom/com formula and this is a good example. There is a romance story squeezed in, but the movie is more a story of recovery from tragic loss. I find it interesting that one of my most memorable movies with Michael Rady is Two Turtle Doves which has some similarities to this one.

The approach taken here to the grief theme seems to me that it is a pretty sure way to grab the heartstrings. Two teenage girls dealing with loneliness are at the center of the story. Tragedy and grief are prominent in both of the central families.

There is sadness in the story yet hope outweighs the sadness.

I think all of the 3 main actors did a fine job with their parts. (I started to say 4 main actors and realized the Toni's character was ever present despite only the briefest snippet of screen time.) I don't think I need to say that they captured the emotions felt by their characters.

Side observation - in today's world of antagonism and blame everywhere you look, it was nice to see a father be open minded and not jump too quickly to accuse Noelle of impropriety in the early stages and dismiss her.

I think there is probably much to absorb in a repeated viewing that I missed the first time through.