The Heart of Christmas | |
---|---|
Written by | Lance W. Dreesen |
Directed by | Gary Wheeler |
Starring | Candace Cameron Bure Erin Bethea Jeanne Neilson Eric Jay Beck George Newbern Matthew West |
Music by | Matthew West |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Producers | Suzette Schafer Charlie Schafer Mark Burman |
Cinematography | Rob Givens |
Editor | Jonathan Olive |
Running time | 107 minutes |
Production companies | SlingShot Picture My Three Sons Film |
Original release | |
Release | December 4, 2011 |
The Heart of Christmas is a 2011 American Christian drama film directed by Gary Wheeler. It stars Candace Cameron Bure, Erin Bethea, Jeanne Neilson, Eric Jay Beck, George Newbern, and Matthew West. Based on a true story, the film involves a woman's encounter with a family caring for a child with acute leukemia and how it transforms her faith and her attitude about her own family.
Megan Walsh is a successful businesswoman who does not seem to have enough time for her husband and two children. While taking her children trick-or-treating during Halloween, she encounters a confusing situation in which many families are decorating for Christmas (which is nearly two months away). Their explanation is that they are trying to provide one last Christmas for Dax Locke, a toddler in their neighborhood who is dying of a rare form of leukemia. Curious, Megan reads Dax's mother Julie's blog and learns about the Lockes' journey. Inspired, Megan examines her own life and priorities. [1]
The film does not appear to have received reviews by any major professional film critics. Rotten Tomatoes has no rating for the movie. [2] Scott Rolfe at The Dove Foundation website assigns the film 5 stars out of 5, although this may reflect its acceptability for the foundation's wholesomeness for family viewing. [3]
It received a worldwide television premiere on December 4, 2012, on Gospel Music Channel (GMC). [4]
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Matthew Joseph West is an American contemporary Christian musician and singer-songwriter. He has released five studio albums and is known for his songs "More", "You Are Everything", and "The Motions". He was nominated for five Dove Awards in 2005, two of which were for his major-label debut album, Happy. West won the 2013 American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist.
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