Review of The Christmas Blessing (2005) by Tyler L — 17 Dec 2009

It's around 18 years later, Nathan Andrews(Neil Patrick Harris) is all grown up and is now a medical resident, living his dream of becoming a doctor, but when a patient is lost on the operating table, Nathan re-evaluates his career path, by returning to his hometown and catching his breath.

Contains Spoilers in the following.

. While home, Nathan meets Meghan(Rebecca Gayheart), a teacher at the school and the two hit it off. While volunteering at the school, Nathan meets and befriends Charlie(Angus T. Jones), a ten year old boy who recently moved to the town with his father, Tucker(Shaun Johnston). Charlie is always curious about his mother and asks Tucker many questions about her. Tucker knows what really happened to Charlie's mother, but doesn't have the heart to tell him the truth, so he tells her she was a dancer and hands him "her" pair of shoes, the same pair of shoes Nathan gave his mother, that Tucker found. Meghan has a dream of opening a special daycare for children, but has no way to pay for it. So Nathan and Meghan decide to call a friend of her's, she calls him a "Good Guy". It turns out to be now successful attorney Robert Layton(played once again by Rob Lowe), who gives her a list of willing donors. Nathan and Robert don't recognize each other at first.

Things seem to go on track for Nathan, until Charlie goes down in a basketball game. Finding out he has a heart condition, he is put on medication to hopefully keep him well enough to survive. Then while dancing, Meghan collapses, the result of of cirrhosis of the liver. With the love of his life dying, Nathan feels helpless and angry. Charlie visits Meghan in the hospital, where she tells him what is wrong with her. That night, Charlie's condition worsens, himself with not much time. Nathan visits Charlie, who gives him a gift he wants to give Meghan. Then Charlie has one last request that he tells his father. What happens is truly a Christmas Blessing. Afterwords, Robert meets with Nathan and tells him about the one thing that changed his life forever, with Nathan now realizing who Robert is. Robert has a gift he wants to give Meghan as well, another Christmas Blessing.

Spoilers End.

Just when you thought nothing could top The Christmas Shoes as far as emotion and drama, The Christmas Blessing does so. Neil Patrick Harris and Angus T. Jones, two who are recognized for comedy show how great they can be when it comes to drama and both play their roles amazingly. Rob Lowe in returning as Robert Layton is just as good in the few scenes he is in. A wonderful and emotional film that is just as good if not better than The Christmas Shoes.

5/5.