IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Interesteg What makes it different from others?

Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

2karl- award winning actress Mary Steenburgen gives a brilliant performance as Ginnie Granger a young mother who discovers the joy and beauty this Xmas thanks to unshakable faith of her daughter her 6yrs old Abbie and a angel called Gideon played by harry dean Stanton Ginny's very own angel Ginny's wondrous experience will touch others and their hearts the sharing of one could help her life in so many ways in this timeless Disney will fulfill all your treasured memories it will bring Ur belief back and make sure to share your memories with loves one in this 1hr25mins with snow to aroundwith santa in to to help and go around to help define graineys change I give this 7/10

Apologi It seems people have either loved or hated this movie. I watched it for the first time recently with my kids, as I have a soft spot for 1980's family movies. The movie had some promise, but was very confusing.First, I loved the cinematic style of the film. The images of Christmas lights, snow falling and suburban life in the 80ies are very beautiful. I also appreciate the fact that in the movies of the period of 1980ies to early 90ies the life of ordinary people people is treated with great respect, unlike in most modern flicks. The struggling family which is at the center of the plot is very likable. The movie also has an important message that Christmas spirit can be found in the middle of the challenges of ordinary life.On the other hand, however, the angel plot is treated in a very confusing manner. As a theologian I might point out that dead people do not become angels. That might be beside the point, as the movie apparently tries to be a magical children's tale in this respect. But when the theological idea, that an angel is sent by God, is replaced by an angel sent by Santa Claus, the result becomes quite confusing: Apparently good people are sent to the North Pole when they die, to work at Santa's Factory. Santa then has these people in his service as Christmas Angels, who he can send to other people to raise Christmas spirit. However: If the dead people go to Santa, why is it, that Santa is unable to bring the dead father of the family back to life? Or at least, send him back as another Christmas angel? Moreover, is the North Pole a place existing in the real word, or some kind of magical place accessible only with the help of an angel? These questions were not thought through, and because of this, the 'metaphysical' structure that functions as the staring point of the story is weird and non-functional. One can of course say that one should not take these points seriously, but because they are important for the central plot issue of bringing the dead father back alive, they unfortunately cannot be dismissed.Moreover, many people, including me, were quite confused with what actually did happen at the conclusion of the story. I take it that time was reversed to the point where Ginny and Jack departed on their evening walk and Ginny met the angel, giving her a second opportunity to make the same choices, this time right, as happens in the movie Groudhog Day. The movie also resembles the famous Christmas classic It's a Wonderful life. The other option would be that the bad things which happened were some kind of a dream caused by the angel, so that they did not actually happen at all. With this answer one could skip some of the metaphysical questions regarding the rule of Santa over the dead and the nature of the North Pole. However, the problem is, that what happened is not clearly explained. The viewer is left with confusion regarding the mode of the conclusion. This is especially bad as the movie is nevertheless aimed at young children and portrays very tragic events. The parent cannot tell the kids what happened, if he or she does not understand it either.I would have very much wanted to the like the movie more than I can, as the foundational message is very important. However, in an attempt to escape a serious exploration of the topic of angels the movie is built on so confusing 'metaphysical' assumptions regarding the capabilities of angels and Santa, that it is almost impossible to get a coherent picture of what actually happens in the movie. In other words, though the message is good, the means used to deliver it do not work.

gavin6942 An angel (Harry Dean Stanton) must show a mother (Mary Steenburgen) the true meaning of Christmas. It is not just presents and materialistic things, but the people she cares about.What I enjoyed most about this film is how dark it is. Others have called it bittersweet, which may be fair, but it just has so much negativity in it. A mother who hates Christmas, a bank robber, three people who die...Of course, the mother has some right to be upset. Her husband, as nice of a guy as he is, is something of a deadbeat. There is nothing wrong with wanting to open a bicycle shop... but, you know, it would not hurt to have a job in the meantime, even if it was just part-time. You have to have a home before you can do much else.Gideon is a most unusual angel, and we could question the theology behind it. Angels are not generally dead humans, but a different creature entirely... and then, how does a Christmas angel differ from a standard angel? Apparently just being killed on Christmas? And it seems like others who die are sent to work for eternity in Santa's workshop. That is not my idea of heaven. But, oh well...As a bonus, this film is the big screen debut of Elisabeth Harnois, Sarah Polley and Elias Koteas. That is quite a landmark all by itself.

mrsTrellis-2 Read on and take note - you could save 88 minutes of your life (was that all!).Unremittingly bleak, this film sets out to produce (I'm guessing) a modern small town American Christmas fable in the Capra style. If fails....completely and absolutely fails. I've been trying to think of one good thing about it and can't. Let me mention some of the highlights ...People don't die, they get to spend eternity as immigrant workers in Santa's factory. Angels are actually ex-cowboys who sit in trees. Santa can bring people back from the dead (if you send him a nice letter). And the plot.. I won't spoil it for you but there has to be some light in films if only to contrast with the darkness but there isn't any. Even the photography is bleak - snow shown at the end of a freeze, everywhere looking cold, damp and miserable. As you might guess, the film has a happy (schmaltzy) ending. What a relief !