You can tell from the synopsis that this isn't going to be a baking cookies and tree decorating Christmas story. There are some very sad moments as the family faces the worst and we even get to know a little bit about the donor and his family.
The movie drags at different points. Some of the sorrowful moments seem shallow. Most of the acting is not that good. Teri Polo is an exception as she does a good job as Matt's mother, Ann. Polo always seems to be good with kids. In this one she shows a woman with faith, but one who fights hard against her doubts.
One reviewer says this movie is in effect Christian drivel. Yet one of my biggest complaints is that no God is ever mentioned, except Santa. You could almost argue that this movie is about praying to Santa. There is one involved scene where the mother tells her other son to have faith in Santa. It is true that this movie is preachy about having faith.
This is a Hallmark movie, so you know the ending is going to stretch believability. Oh boy, this movie goes way over the top on that one. Yet if you get past all that, and past the moments in the middle that got preachy and dragged, the ending is worth it. I'm not sure if the humor during the climax added to, or subtracted from the touching ending, but several elements come together in an interesting way and give us a true Hallmark Christmas ending.
The movie drags at different points. Some of the sorrowful moments seem shallow. Most of the acting is not that good. Teri Polo is an exception as she does a good job as Matt's mother, Ann. Polo always seems to be good with kids. In this one she shows a woman with faith, but one who fights hard against her doubts.
One reviewer says this movie is in effect Christian drivel. Yet one of my biggest complaints is that no God is ever mentioned, except Santa. You could almost argue that this movie is about praying to Santa. There is one involved scene where the mother tells her other son to have faith in Santa. It is true that this movie is preachy about having faith.
This is a Hallmark movie, so you know the ending is going to stretch believability. Oh boy, this movie goes way over the top on that one. Yet if you get past all that, and past the moments in the middle that got preachy and dragged, the ending is worth it. I'm not sure if the humor during the climax added to, or subtracted from the touching ending, but several elements come together in an interesting way and give us a true Hallmark Christmas ending.