The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (2007)

What a waste of my time!!!

Load of rubbish!!

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

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!

What a nice warm and cozy film to watch around Christmas time. Tom Berenger plays the crusty Jonathan Toomey who lost his wife and young son through a tragic accident. Mr Toomey begrudgingly agrees with a recently widowed woman Susan McDowell (played by Joely Richardson) to let her 10 year old son Thomas (played by Luke Ward Wilkenson) watch Mr. Toomey carve out a replica wooden nativity scene that the young lad mistakenly left a family heirloom behind in a train station.Gradually young Thomas wears down Jonathan Toomey's edgy personality and together young Thomas McDowell, the widower Susan McDowell and crusty Jonathan Toomey realize while meeting at Jonathan's home each night they begin carving out the wooden pieces of the nativity, that kindness and sharing in the true spirit of Christmas can brighten everyone's lives including people who have lost their most loved family members. It is a beautiful sad story with a happy and simple Christmas themed ending. We loved it.Watch for a young girl named Celia who is smitten by the bereaving Thomass McDowell when he moves in to the country to live with his mom and his auntie. The young Celia is actually Saoirse Ronan who went on four years later to star in the rock em sock em action flick "Hanna"

Susan (Joely Richardson) and her young son, Thomas (Luke Ward-Wilkinson) have just moved to a country town in post World War I England. Sadly, the lady's husband has died in the war and his business went under, too. So, its a change of fortune and Thomas is bitterly disappointed with his new abode in an aunt's home. His biggest difficulty is that he had to leave his treasured nativity set behind, the one that he and his papa put out every Christmas, just the two of them. However, time can heal hearts and the young lad finds some new, caring friends. Also, Susan learns to cook better and adapt to her present life as well. One day, on a dare, Thomas bangs on the door of a reclusive woodcarver, Toomey (Tom Berenger), and disturbs him. When his mother finds out, she hurries the lad over to apologize. Once there, she is curiously interested in the gruff man and it is the same for him, eyeing her. So, Susan arranges for Mr. Toomey to carve a new nativity for Thomas and to let Thomas learn and watch the art of woodcarving. Can something magical happen in the lives of three little people? This is quite a beautiful film, in story, in acting, and in character. The old-fashioned virtues that we all aspire to, patience and hard work, are front and center in this wonderful film. But, there is still room for laughs and love in the tale, too. Richardson and Berenger make a very unusually nice couple and all of the other actors do fine work. Also, the glimpse into a forgotten world is extremely nice, too, for its great fun to see the old costumes and customs. If you are looking for an exceptional Christmas film to show to everyone on the block and inside the house, there are few better than this one. But, why wait until December? This makes for good viewing, no matter if its spring, summer vacation, or apple picking time.

This story of the meeting of lonely and sad people is a gentle, moving and warming tale that I think both older (8+ ?) children and adults will appreciate. The cast generally give a good performance and gel well - you can really feel the changing relationships as the story plays out. Luke Ward-Wilkinson does rather well and is very likable - he does not annoy like many child actors. Berenger also portrays Mr Toomey in a very believable way.The cinematography is nice in many places, especially the idealistic scenes of the country village. The outside of the Toomey house looks very much like a studio set, shot from the immediate front, but this somehow adds to the overall feeling of separation and is in no way a problem. Aside from the issue of death, there are no disturbing scenes, "colourful" language, or issues not suitable for youngsters and this makes for a very enjoyable, slow paced, experience.The film starts and ends in a Christmas setting, the remainder being time between, and so would suit a festive, wintery viewing with the whole family. The film does make you appreciate the ones you love and want to give them a hug.It would be nice to know "what happens next" but maybe that is part of the appeal of the story - following the journey up to a point, then leaving the characters with their new start.