Excellent but underrated film

A Disappointing Continuation

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It's ironic, but some of the best Christmas movies are those with a deep strain of melancholy under the surface. THE Christmas MIRACLE OF JOHNATHON TOOMEY is just that; a tale of loss and heartache, yet never losing the hope that is Christmas. All the leads give excellent performances, the cinematography is solid, and the script, while not breaking any new ground, constantly draws us in. These are characters we come to like and root for!

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a wonderful movie! It is a moving story about a mother and son, who lose the father in a war. They must sell their pretty city home soon after this,and move from the boy's sweet grandparents.They travel to live with an aunt on a farm, who is also struggling financially, because her husband has been reported as missing in action. Their adjustments are not easy, but a few situations are really hilarious!Luke Ward-Wilkinson is Thomas in this movie. He does an outstanding performance and he is very likable. All of the actors do a wonderful job in their roles. Mr. Berenger, as Mr. Toomey, the woodcarver is really great! This heartwarming story shows how a sweet lad can melt the hearts of even the grumpiest, gloomiest people and how caring and love can change the lives of lonely people in a miraculous way. This movie has been very under-rated by some people. It's a Christmas story that everyone should see. It's full of surprises and it is a beautiful Christmas story! Bill Clark, thank you for making this very special film. Please make more films like this one, that are non-rated, wholesome entertainment! May God richly Bless you, as you put his love into your future productions!

This is a heart-warming Christmas story. It tells about the lives of people, who are either hurt by losing loves ones to disease, or to a war. The main characters include Mr. Toomey, a depressed, reclusive woodcarver, who lost his wife and baby boy to a plague, and a mother and son, Thomas, who lost the father in the Civil war.The boy and his mom have a double whammy, after the death of the soldier. Besides missing him a lot, they must leave their large beautiful estate in the city, and move in with a poor aunt, who struggles to survive on a little farm. There is humor in the story, as the mom has to learn how to cook and the boy must rise with the chickens and feed them! When they first meet Mr.Toomey, he is grumpy, rude and he does not want to help them. However, the boy's mom convinces the woodcarver to make wooden animals for a toy Christmas manger. Then, she boldly asks if her Thomas can watch him, so that her son can learn wood carving.He hesitates, but then gives into this plan. There are a lot of funny, sweet moments during their visits with the woodcarver! In the end, they melt his heart and Mr. Toomey becomes Thomas's role model and friend. The friendship with Mr. Toomey and the mom sweetly develops, too! The movie ends with a happy Christmas gathering with city and country relatives and friends. It's an uplifting movie and it tells the real meaning of Christmas! This is a Christmas movie, that is very special!

Most theatrical films today don't enter the realm of traditional values or refrain entirely from using words that make you feel uncomfortable with young children watching. Nor is there ever a product placement for Coca Cola very far away to remind us of crass commercialism. I picked this film up at my local library given it's Christmas themed title, and I don't know if I would ever have become aware of it otherwise. In many respects it's a melancholy tale dealing with heartache and loss, but counterbalanced by scenes of the young Tommy (Luke-Ward Wilkinson) making new friends in a new town and getting involved in the kind of mischief a youngster often finds himself in. The nativity set that serves as the dynamic for bringing the McDowell's together with Jonathan Toomey (Tom Berenger) also inspires the hermit woodcarver to re-evaluate his own life given the personal loss that's only alluded to briefly at the very beginning and end of the story. The attentive viewer will come away reminded that there are such things as happy sheep, proud cows and important angels that can help us connect with fellow travelers on this mortal coil. Set aside an evening for a family viewing of this heartening tale to recapture that Christmas spirit one more time.