L'arbre des anges

This UP movie was a great surprise. Loved it from beginning to end. This is not the typical Christmas romance movie. A well written story with some thoughtful advice between the lead character and the teenage boy he plays basketball with. Their lives intertwine around a Salvation Army giving tree in which children's names are hung as "Paper Angels".

The lead is played well by Matthew Settle. I recognize his voice from "Band of Brothers" I think. The mom of the teenage boy is played by Josie Bissett who I recognized in being in an Episode of When Calls the Heart as AJ Foster. The teenage boy (Thomas) is the new kid and one of the basketball stars dislikes him and they play this high school drama up very well. Yes there is a teenage girl (Cassie). It is very well done. I notice a familiar face in a minor role. Delores Drake who plays a Salvation army worker.

This was a very inspiring story. I love the way Thomas took a very negative situation & turned it into a positive, helping others in the process.

Also, I'm glad to see The Salvation Army getting some credit for the wonderful work they do.

My husband & I both applauded at the end.

Paper Angels follows two families who are both struggling. A family who have fled their home thanks to an alcoholic husband/father and a young couple struggling for money whilst awaiting the birth of their first children.

Whilst there is nothing here that elevates this above the ordinary it is still a heartwarming story. The plot is as predictable as most Christmas movies. There are some decent performances especially from Matthew Settle, Rustin Gresiuk and Josie Bissett.

Yes you can say it's a bit too sickly sweet but it does exactly what its supposed too. Its downfall is that in a crowded marketplace these type of films really need something a bit different to live in the memory for longer than a few minutes. On that count this one maybe falls a bit flat.

This is a decent if undemanding Christmas TV movie that fans of the genre should enjoy.

Heart warming movie. It is great to see good people doing well after suffering trying times.

Second time i see this movie at Christmas period , second time i loved it...a must see at Christmas vacations