This movie touches the heart of anyone who has ever felt alone, depressed, withdrawn, or felt a victim of circumstances and life's heartbreaks. In the relationship of Barnaby and Sparrow there is a kind of contest between sadness and meaning, between death and life. After Sparrow's death sadness and meaninglessness seems to dominate Barnaby. Jonas, who takes Barnaby in and then wants to sculpt his face (because it is the saddest face he has ever seen), feels compassion and love for Barnaby. Barnaby's hurt is so deep, no one can reach him.
His feelings of emptiness and worthlessness are heightened as Christmas Eve comes, and everyone has made something to bring to the mid-night mass. Barnaby announces that he is not going to the mass and that he will be leaving them. He has nothing to give. But, he stays around until everyone else has gone and then finds his way to the altar where he sees all of the gifts that others have brought.
It is at the altar, alone, that a miracle begins to occur. Sparrow appears to him. He has been Barnaby's encourager in the past, offering Barnaby a choice of life. Again, he encourages Barnaby to pick up the juggling things that someone has brought to the altar. Barnaby slowly begins to get in touch again with his own soul through his gift of juggling. It is all he has, and he gives it fully and without reservation and puts on an incredible juggling performance before the statue of Mary. His heart of stone had come to life, and the stone image of the Blessed Mother responded by dropping to him the rose she had held in her hands.
This is a must view for me, especially during the Christmas Season. After it first came out in 1984, it was shown during Christmas for the first few years, but then disappeared. I missed it and would occasionally long to see it again at Christmas. So, I eventually found a tape on the Internet and can now continue to make it a part of my Christmas.
I, like many others who have been touched by this movie, highly recommend it.
