"The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" – A Movie Review

As the Christmas season approaches, it is natural to seek out movies pertaining to the season. And one of the Christmas-themed movies that is now streaming on Angel.com is "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey", a PG-rated feature film based on a children's book by the same name written by Susan Wojciechowski. The running time for "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" is roughly an hour and a half. Which, given that the children's book that the film is based off of is only around forty pages in length, makes the movie a bit drawn out, but still somehow interesting.

A native of Rochester, New York, Susan Wojciechowski was previously employed as a children's librarian. And, tiring of reading the same classic Christmas books every year to her children, she decided to take her pen in hand and write a Christmas story of her own. With "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" being published in 1995 and well received by critics who described the book as heartwarming. Although, aimed at children and featuring a young boy as one of the main protagonists, the storyline actually touches upon the theme of grief during the holidays. A theme that many adults can relate to.

The movie version of "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" was released in 2007 and is an historical drama set in the USA, although, the film is a British production. The exact time period of the movie is never firmly established. However, judging from the styles of the clothing and the uniforms, it is probably set during the World War I era. It opens with Tom Berenger, an academy award nominated actor for his role in "Platoon", moving into a rustic settlers-style log cabin out in the middle of the woods. A man of few words, it is clear he is haunted by something in his past. By contrast, the McDowells, are then featured celebrating Christmas in a comfortable fashion in the city. With Mr. McDowell explaining the pieces of the family's nativity set to the ten years of age, Thomas McDowell. An inquisitive young lad who asks a lot of questions and likes to eat cookies.

With the McDowells being comfortably situated, all is set for Thomas to grow up in a life of ease. However, his father is called up to serve in the war and does not return. While Thomas' grandfather tries to maintain the family business in spite of his advanced age, it proves to be too much to handle. And Thomas' mother, portrayed by Joely Richardson of the Redgrave acting dynasty, is forced to sell the house to make ends meet and move to her sister's farm out in the country. Since they will be spending their next Christmas out in the country, Thomas takes their nativity set with them, only for it to get lost amidst the various pieces of luggage in the train station.

Living in the country is a big adjustment for the young Thomas, portrayed by Luke Ward-Wilkinson of the comedy series, "Beautiful People". As he has to learn how to feed the chickens and help out his aunt with various chores on the farm. His mother, who back in the city had a housekeeper and household staff to help with the running of the house, is now having to learn how to cook and knit. But, while the local mischievous youngsters taunt Jonathan Toomey for being "Gloomy Toomy", Thomas' mother is impressed by some wood carvings she sees of his in the local general store. And, in order to inspire Thomas to come out of his grief ridden shell, she asks Mr. Toomy if he will carve a wooden nativity set for them to replace the one they lost. Mr. Toomey is far from keen on the prospect, but does agree to do so. Although, he only states that it will be "ready when it is ready". Meaning, not necessarily by Christmas.

The McDowells then meet with Jonathan Toomey to observe him carving the nativity set for an hour in the evenings. With Thomas questioning Toomey's artistic interpretations somewhat. For the sheep shouldn't look sad, it should look "happy". For the sheep is beside the Baby Jesus. Similarly, the cows should look proud and the angel, important. Suggestions which Toomey brushes to the side as he considers Christmas, "pish posh".

While most of the time throughout the film, the actors use a modern-day flippant manner of speaking and movements that contrast a bit with the historical time period, Tom Berenger's acting skills come to light in a touching scene when he comes to his cabin and sees that Mrs. McDowell has laid out his late wife's table cloth on the table, without permission to do so. Berenger does not explode in anger in his interpretation of Jonathan Toomey's emotions in the scene, but is rather deeply hurt with tears welling in his eyes.

While the McDowells rush out of the cabin in realization that a mistake has been made, the reminder of his late wife and child inspires Jonathan Toomey to finish carving the nativity set amidst tears. He then uses drawings of his late wife and child for the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus and finishes the nativity set in time for Christmas. Even managing a smile towards the McDowells in Church on Christmas. Finally admitting to Thomas that Christmas isn't "pish posh", but rather, "Christmas is very special."

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa attorney, piano instructor, and vocalist.