The Christmas Heart (2012 TV Movie) User Reviews

Nice Christmas themed fare from Hallmark

[MartianOctocretr5 · 7/10 · 8 December 2012]

This latest Hallmark offering of its Christmas themed movies this year breaks from their more common story lines such as Santa adventures, Scrooge adaptations, and Christmas time romances. This movie has a more serious tone: a teenage boy's life hangs in the balance after he collapses during a basketball practice. He has a heart defect and needs an immediate heart transplant.

It's more a story of faith than anything else. The fact that it's Christmas time certainly plays into the story, but more to set up events, than to be the main focus of the action. How the characters bind together to help and support each other and the boy are the real focus. The interactions of the people are very real; in particular, the mother of the donor and the parents of the heart patient have believable and frank dialog with the doctors involved. This movie often hits some emotional moments, and avoids getting schmaltzy. The use of the luminaries as a metaphor is a sweet touch.

Some events that might have otherwise been dismissed as contrivances in another story, are made logical to fit the plot, both by carefully seeded plot points; as well as the fact the entire story is embracing the ideas of faith and miracles. You've got to love that barn storming cowboy in a Santa suit who sets out in a vintage Cessna against the worst storm nature could throw at him, as well as his courageous co- pilot and passenger that dare to trust him. Their flight lives up to everything the movie prepares you for. Only one minor criticism of the movie: a couple of actors overact in a couple of scenes.

A nice, sentimental movie with positive intentions that it conveys well. Worth catching during one of its repeat showings this December.

Different kind of Christmas story

[Jackbv123 · 6/10 · 25 November 2017]

You can tell from the synopsis that this isn't going to be a baking cookies and tree decorating Christmas story. There are some very sad moments as the family faces the worst and we even get to know a little bit about the donor and his family.

The movie drags at different points. Some of the sorrowful moments seem shallow. Most of the acting is not that good. Teri Polo is an exception as she does a good job as Matt's mother, Ann. Polo always seems to be good with kids. In this one she shows a woman with faith, but one who fights hard against her doubts.

One reviewer says this movie is in effect Christian drivel. Yet one of my biggest complaints is that no God is ever mentioned, except Santa. You could almost argue that this movie is about praying to Santa. There is one involved scene where the mother tells her other son to have faith in Santa. It is true that this movie is preachy about having faith.

This is a Hallmark movie, so you know the ending is going to stretch believability. Oh boy, this movie goes way over the top on that one. Yet if you get past all that, and past the moments in the middle that got preachy and dragged, the ending is worth it. I'm not sure if the humor during the climax added to, or subtracted from the touching ending, but several elements come together in an interesting way and give us a true Hallmark Christmas ending.

Terrible Medical details

[ardibley · 7/10 · 21 November 2022]

Loved the predictable story. But where was the medical consultation for details? As a medical person, the scenes in hospital were so very bad. Heart transplant surgery with only an oxygen mask, no medical equipment. And it's a miracle he is awake and talking within hours of surgery... would NEVER HAPPEN. It was filmed in our home town, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, so was very cool to see. Loved all the real snow vs batting used in many Christmas movies. The story was very predicatable, but that's ok, it was a feel good movie. Which is what we want at Christmas time. Great acting. Very enjoyable watch.

Absolutely dreadful

[dave-538-549895 · 1/10 · 27 December 2012]

If you want something to send you to sleep then this slow moving piece of drivel will be right up your street. The story involves a teenage boy that is outwardly fit and healthy but who falls ill with a dickey ticker during a boring game of basketball.

From the moment that the boy lies unconscious in hospital there's loads of wailing, gnashing of teeth, over-acting and under-acting until some ne'er do well type ends up dead. By this time I was almost willing to kill myself and offer my old pump to help revive the tiring storyline but luckily I wasn't needed.

Of course, this all happens at Christmas although that doesn't matter. There's far too much praying to god as well with the characters seemingly oblivious to the fact that, in their world, all this suffering is surely part of the lord's design. Is this one of those Christian backed movies? Pathetic. Don't waste your time.

Wonderful Heart Warming Story

[shellyalynn · 9/10 · 28 December 2013]

I loved watching this film. It's not the biggest film with a never ending budget and lots of special effects, but it does tell story and carries a really important message and it does it very well. It shows the power of compassion, co- operation, determination & community, but also shows that we all have the ability to make a difference if you are committed enough. If you watch this film and you finish it not having thought about what you should be thankful for and/or you don't feel even slightly uplifted, you are either cold hearted or have missed the point of the film. Don't read between the lines & try to over think it, just watch it & let yourself go along with the story line.

Gee, I Wonder How This Will Turn Out

[Stoshie · 5/10 · 30 November 2019]

...said no one ever, while watching this movie.

But I guess if you need something this obvious to warm your heart and give you faith, this is the kind of movie you will enjoy. But hey, that's why they make these movies, isn't it?

One of the best Christmas movies I've ever seen!

[monicacota · 10/10 · 16 December 2019]

Greatest Christmas movie ever!! Wonderful story for the whole family! Wish I would have discovered this sooner! Such a refreshing change from all the holiday romances. The way they developed the story was excellent. A movie about faith brings hope to people😊

Good for the family to watch together, parents, kids and teenagers.

[arnhei · 8/10 · 18 December 2013]

This film is different. It is a feel-good film for December. It is about being kind, about being afraid for your loved ones, it is about the difficult subject which heart transplant is, and it is about our reactions and feelings when we are very scared that our loved ones will die. I watched it with my children, an 8 yo and a teenager. It kept us interested and we had strong sympathy for the persons in the movie. It gave us a lot to talk about, because the questions of life, death, organ donation and illness is not something that comes up in a day to day discussion. My kids were very interested in the subject and really interested in the film. On the other hand, the acting is often pretty bad in the film, it is often very soap-opera like. But the kids weren't concerned about it, acting in children's movies is often pretty bad anyway. I just bit my tongue sometimes so I wouldn't blurt out "ouch" when the acting was too much of a cliché. So, I highly recommend the film for what it is, a good film for parents to watch with their kids and teenagers, to think with them, and talk about some thought provoking subjects. It is also a gorgeous relief from all the films that are filled with gore and profanity, finding good films to watch with kids can be so hard these days. So, don't expect Oscar winning performance, just enjoy the ride and the good sides in this film.

I loved this movie!

[susanmnorth · 8/10 · 27 October 2022]

This is not your typical Hallmark Christmas movie (although I am a fan of Hallmark) I really enjoyed it. The storyline and the script are very good following 2 different 'life' stories before converging. The performances all around fantastic. I'm a big fan of Teri Polo (mother of the boy who needs the heart) and Tess Harper and they didn't disappoint. The topic of organ donations is a highlight and was handled extremely well. We hear from all sides - the donor's mother, the 15 year old boy who will die without receiving a new heart and the medical professionals. This movie is worth a watch. Well done Hallmark.

The Pilot is amazing.

[jewelch · 9/10 · 23 December 2020]

The Christmas Heart is a little different story. The Pilot made this movie in my opinion although all involved were good. Loved the story on this one. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 12/21/2020

Not your typical Hallmark movie these days!

[eleanor-mendes · 9/10 · 12 January 2024]

Wow, how refreshing to see something so "real" and completely different from typical Hallmark Christmas movies of this day and age.

From the heartbreaking storylines, the real snow dressing (and not the laughable use of snow blankets and snow machines), the practical wardrobe and sets, and the great casting (leads and day players). The emotional performances by Teri and Paul were lovely. The stunt scene with the car crash... just wow. Great timing, great editing.

The ending may have been the only typical ending for a Hallmark movie, but it just hit differently. I wish they'd model future Hallmark movies after the positive takeaways of this one. Great job by production.