I really enjoyed this movie. I ordered it online the next day, I wish I had taped it. The movie is in many ways a feel-good holiday movie, but the acting was outstanding by all. Carla Gugino especially did a fabulous job. The only complaint I have about this movie is about the ending. It seemed like everything was wrapped up in the last five minutes, and while I know the movie had to have a happy ending, it was an unrealistic one. But overall, this was a very good drama, I highly recommend it.
Add a Review
-
amanda-4720 December 1999
-
Christmas fantasy about a down on her luck woman (Gugino) who kidnaps her crackhead sister's two small children to keep them out of the hands of DCF. She ends up in a small New England town where a guardian angel (Duke) sets up a series of simple events to protect the trio from harm. David Conrad plays a cop who falls for Gugino, and Lynn Redgrave is the judge who must determine the fate of the three when their secret is found out. Very low-key, with no fancy special effects. Filmed on limited sets, with an imposing stone angel statue hovering over all. This is a people story that doesn't pull any punches when it comes to dealing with the unpleasantries of the doped-up mom (Dern), who is is a criminal hospital while all this is going on. Great direction by Michael Pressman on what looks like a no-budget production. Highly recommended.
-
inkblot1112 May 2006Emily's sister is out of control. A drug abuser and a resulting neglectful mother at times, she almost overdoses and ends up in the slammer. Emily has a good relationship with her sister's two children and is there to take care of them. However, she is between jobs and has no place to stay in Providence. The child welfare case worker wants, therefore, to take the children away from Emily. Alanna and J.T., the kids, are already traumatized by the whole situation to the point where J.T. will not utter a word. Emily makes a decision to escape with the children to another venue. On the way to nowhere, her car breaks down in the small city of Bethlehem. There, she and the children are treated with uncommon kindness, partly because of a case of mistaken identity. However, the city truly is capable of performing miracles. Will Emily and the children finally have a rewarding life all around? This wonderful film is a must for the holiday or any season. The actors are appealing, the script is beautiful, and all of the extras that make for superior film-making are present. A romance is always welcome and this one is, but the movie's attractions go far beyond that. If only Hollywood would make this kind of film at times! However, Hallmark is dedicated to giving us these incredible cinematic gifts and this one is one of the loveliest. Seek this one out without delay. As a companion to Miracle on 34th Street, this "Miracle" movie is topnotch.
-
jnwa37 September 2004This movie to me is so special that I can view it over and over and never get tired of it. It has become something I enjoy watching not only at Christmas but many times a year when I need a 'feel good' kind of movie. The actors do an amazing job of drawing you in and making you feel as if you are a part of the storyline. It is certainly worth buying if you have not taped it since it is one of the sweetest holiday movies I've seen in recent years. It is a family film showing the harsh side of life while giving hope that goodness can come out of a difficult struggle if you have the support and strength to get through it. My family and I will enjoy this movie for many years to come.
-
WWalrus28 September 2000This is a wonderful film that, while taking place during the hoildays, is one that can be viewed at any time of the year and be thoroughly enjoyed. I have watched it many times since getting it last December. As with any Hallmark show, the production values are outstanding. Although based on a book by Marilyn Pappano, the teleplay far surpasses the original. All the changes simply made for a better story.
What a great cast of veteran performers - Patty Duke, Laura Dern, Faith Prince, Kathy Baker and Lynn Redgrave in a film stealing role as a judge. Each of the supporting roles are equally effective.
This is a film that could rival "It's A Wonderful Life" as a great holiday (or any time) entertainment. -
bkoganbing29 December 2010A Season For Miracles finds Carla Gugino badly in need of one. She's the aunt of Mae Whitman and Evan Sabara and their mother Laura Dern is her usual mess. In jail once again for some substance abuse misdemeanor and now the state is ready to take the kids from her. Carla would like to have them, but as she's unemployed ain't no way she'll be granted custody. Most likely the kids will be split up in the foster care system.
That's not good enough for Gugino. She takes the kids out of state and flees. Arriving at a version of Bedford Falls, a kindly waitress played by Patty Duke has a way of insisting that the whole family stop and see this very well kept up, but abandoned home in her town of Bethlehem. They stop and they squat.
It's only supposed to be for a night, but things just somehow keep them there especially all the good folks in the town. The house was a legacy that was never claimed by its inheritor for one reason or another. But with the state breathing down her neck and the fact she's a fugitive wanted on kidnapping, Carla's got to make tracks.
But as things turn out in this Christmas time special, it turns out to be a real Season For Miracles. Carla even gets herself some romance in the form of deputy sheriff David Conrad.
A Season For Miracles is sentimental without being terribly maudlin which is easy to do with these kind of films. Is someone from a higher plain of existence keeping some track of our situations and ready to step in with a miracle, if not one that's as spectacular as parting an ocean? This film offers the proposition that such is the case and it does so in a pleasant and entertaining manner. -
Erny14 April 2003I've watched this movie over and over, and still love it. The story line is a little fantastical, totally in line with other holiday fare like "A miracle on 42nd street," but the dialog and characters are what really distinguish it. At least six of the cast have solid, deep characters with great dialog, integral to the story, which builds wonderfully and sparingly. Not an opportunity is lost for quaint, touching, moving lines (bring your tissues.) Yes, there are bad guys, but very much in the background, representative of an uncaring world. The focus here is on building family, and trust. Don't miss Mary Fogarty and Mary Louise Wilson as Agatha and Corinna, the ideal grandmothers.
-
This is quite the touching movie about two kids whose lives have been pretty bad because of a drug addicted mom, and about their Aunt who tries to give them something better despite not having anything herself. It features an angel who interferes to help them short term. It's about doing what has to be done for the kids even if it is wrong. It's about forgiveness.
A viewer might question if the ends justify the means. For me that question takes a little away from this movie. Emily knew that her lies only shielded them temporarily. She did everything she could think of including loving and working hard. Only a real miracle provided by the writers of Hallmark could give Emily and the kids a future. It's miracles like these that we hope for when we watch these movies and we trust in Hallmark to provide them. This is what a Hallmark Christmas is all about.
Carla Gugino and David Conrad click together, even if the lie makes it hard for Emily to completely give her heart. Kathy Baker plays the part of the child services stereotype. She's able to act the part of blind adherence to rules without overplaying the part.
Many stories like this have come and gone since this movie was made in 1999. It's interesting to look back in time and see a Hallmark movie (before the channel) without so many of the overused tropes we see today even if the general story line is not new. -
caseybones18 December 2010I love the Christmas season and all of the made-for-TV movie madness that surrounds it.
Several years ago I stumbled upon A Season for Miracles - and never tire of seeing it. It is not a typical Christmas movie as it touches on some serious topics like homelessness and drug addiction. This serves to make it different from a lot of the dreck you see at this time of the year.
Patty Duke has a pivotal part (well, actually several of them) and it's great to see her still acting. On an aside, she sure is a tiny lady! It does have a lot of what you would expect in terms of a happy ending for all involved but they do keep you in suspense about it until the last few minutes. I agree with another reviewer that the resolution does come about very quickly but that last look at the angel with Patty Duke's face is lovely. -
fuzzysquee8 December 2012Yesterday, a relative of mine switched on the Hallmark Channel to watch this movie. While feel-good films are harmless, I find they're often too heavy-handed, predictable, and sappy. So I braced myself.
There was no need to do so.
Alright, the plot is predictable, but in a comfortingly familiar way. The enjoyment lies not in guessing how the movie will end, but how the characters will reach their destinations. This isn't the sort of film to watch if you want an edgy thriller, after all! There are some cheesy moments (as expected from Hallmark), but the seriousness of the family's situation kept the story from being overly sentimental.
The characters are well played. They're likable and have a good sense of humor. The funny moments do much to keep the movie from taking itself too seriously. While the plot is not entirely believable, that does not stop the film from being enjoyable.
This is a film worth adding to the Christmas season watch list; the classic message of hope in the face of hardship is always relevant and is delivered in a touching, charming manner. -
slanoue7 December 2008I love this movie. It was very entertaining and heart-warming. It stars some of my favorite actors.
The leads are Carla Gugino, who had done many wonderful things, and David Conrad of "Ghost Whisperer". They both do great jobs here. Conrad is gorgeous as well as a good actor who seems like such a nice guy.
Besides the leads, many favorite stars play small parts, including Laura Dern, Lynn Redgrave, Faith Prince and Kathy Baker! What an amazing cast. And then to top it off, Patty Duke is the angel.
Even if you don't believe in angels, which I don't, this is a nice Christmas movie with a few fantasy elements. It starts out a little slow and depressing, but like most Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel, it gets much better as it goes along.
Of course, a small town like the one in this movie doesn't exist anywhere except in movies and TV shows...but it's part of the nice fantasy of this movie.
I enjoyed the movie and these people so much, I wish it were a regular weekly show so I could see more of their adventures.
Suzanne Lanoue
http://tvmegasite.net
suzanne@tvmegasite.net -
taylorsterling28 August 2007Whenever I feel like I need a pick me up, this is the one that goes into the machine...love, love, love it...never go wrong if you enjoy miracles and you believe...click your heels 3 times....another one is "It's a Wonderful Life..." The Bishop's Wife, Christmas in Conn...it appears this website will not allow you to post your comments unless their are 10 lines, so I am just writing now to fill up those ten lines :-)So I am babbling on, but you will truly enjoy this movie. It has everything for the family. For the kids, the parents, the grandparents, heck, even the-in-laws. THe story is woven around a lovely young woman who takes her sister's children away from the authorities and want to bring them to a place where they can have a better life. Hopefully this is enough to post....
-
rinfillmore8 December 2013While I admit to being a sucker for just about any corny Christmas movie, this one is far above the norm as one can tell just from the cast list. Laura Dern, Lynn Redgrave, Cathy Baker, and Carla Gugino are all well respected lead actresses for good reason, and here some of them play quite small roles, though it's the quality of the supporting cast that makes this film far better than most. Patty Dukes as the angel is probably the corniest element, but one has to accept a bit of corn in a holiday movie, and she handles the role as well as anyone could. As other reviewers here have said, the dialog is quite good, and the performances by the children, especially the always-strong Mae Whitman, are engaging without ever becoming too cute. Definitely worth a watch.
-
Christmas-Reviewer8 September 2017BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 300 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.
Emilie Thompson (Carla Gugino) is forced to take charge of her nephew J.T. (Evan Sabara) and niece Alanna (Mae Whitman) when their drug- addicted mother (Laura Dern) overdoses and the children are threatened with foster care. Fleeing the authorities, the trio come across the sleepy town of Bethlehem just before Christmas. Even though the authorities have been temporarily left behind, Emilie will need a miracle to keep her family together. A versatile guardian angel (Patty Duke), who assumes a variety of earthly guises, helps, along with the small town-folk who are surprisingly friendly. One coincidence after another gives the struggling family a chance at happiness.
IF you need to lift your spirits then watch this. SHown during the holidays on Hallmark Channel. However it is for sale on Amazon and it is well worth buying! I am glad that this film did not go with the ending I thought it was heading tords. Yes it is a happy ending that I expected however I thought that this film was going to end (Spoilers) with Emile actually being the real person she was pretending to be! -
I've watched Hallmark films since I was a kid, and this is my most favorite. The plot, the acting, the sets, etc., are all way above average. I mean, look at the cast list!
I do believe writing this down has made me want to finally buy the very overpriced DVD so I can watch it whenever I like!
These days, I don't watch Hallmark films anymore. Not only do you need a subscription to get them, but they tend to be repetitive and pretty bland. -
youngandrestless1234528 December 2020One of the better Christmas movies out there!!! It has a great story!!
-
momcat3166 January 2015POSSIBLE SPOILER In the short preview of the movie, the children are referred to as "wayward". I have asked before that this be change to "neglected". It is the adult who has messed up their lives, the children are innocent victims. Perhaps I just don't know where to ask for this change to be made, or maybe when the brief synopsis is complete, no changes are allowed. Anyone who has seen this movie as many times as I have, at least 10, knows that these children are anything but wayward. I am a grandmother and retired teacher who knows "wayward" when it sits in her class. I would love to have had these two anytime during my 31 years at "the front of the class". Another movie I highly recommend
-
queenbee3636019 December 2020This movie is a favorite. An aunt strives to keep her niece and nephew together and are on the move at Christmas. Patty Duke is an angel. It's marvelous!
-
dlmartin-2416931 December 2021This is my favorite Hallmark Christmas movie. It was a Hallmark Hall of Fame show and doesn't have a typical sweet innocent love story. The characters have real issues to overcome and it is very uplifting. Patty Duke is wonderful as the angel. Carla Gugino is terrific in her role as the aunt trying to save her sister's children from the foster care system she and her sister endured. The whole cast is terrific from a young Mae Whitman to the older ladies who live across the street. This is a warm story that I have to watch every year.
-
ruthbanes13 November 2018Loved loved loved this movie. When is it on this season 2018-2019?
-
MickyG33325 December 20238.2 stars.
I looked through a bunch of lists and for some reason 'A Season for Miracles' is not on any of them that I could find. What I mean is for some reason nobody is placing this movie on their top "best of" lists for Christmas. When I search through the IMDB list of 1619 best Christmas movies, I didn't see this in the top anywhere, so I continued to scroll through 221 and then ended the search. It was beat by movies like 'Jingle All the Way 2' which is less than 4.0 stars, really???
A 7.6 rating is higher than 90% of the films on any decent list to be honest. So what does that mean? It means that the more reviews, comments and ratings a movie gets, the better it stands overall. In this case, there isn't enough interest in it to place it in the best of the best ranks. But that means nothing except you can't trust any lists but your own. You'd be doing yourself a favor by watching 'A Season for Miracles'. It is very moving, easy goin, light, and full of goodness. There is only one fault in that it glosses over kidnapping (very loosely and depending on your moral barometer).