The Blessing Bracelet

I was drawn to this movie because of the casting directors. Jackie Lind and Penny Perry are two of the top casting executives in the world. It has been a while since I have seen them team up because every time they did I loved the movie. I know it may be stupid to an average viewer, but these two are like Batman and Robin. They just never go wrong. Their movies are classic Hallmark.

I was absolutely shocked that Hallmark would return to a faith based movie. Hallmark has returned to a wholesome show. To be honest, I have turned off many a recent Hallmark movie within the first 15 minutes. The chemistry between the two leads is excellent, and the supporting cast fills in many of the lulls between the lead interactions. To hear Hallmark mentioned the word God unabashedly is absolutely fundamental for those of us who remember and wish Hallmark would return to the good all days.

I don't review movies to tell you what to expect and give a synopsis of the show. I did enjoy the show and would recommend it.

Count your blessings plus a dose of forgiveness are the ideas behind this movie. A divorced woman who seems to be hopelessly in debt thanks to her ex stumbles on the idea of making these bracelets to remind people to count their blessings. These main ideas plus some chemistry between Amanda Schull and Carlo Marks are enough to make this a pleasant watch.

The story is simplistic and predictable. There are no great highs or lows or surprises and very little tension beyond Dawn's financial crisis which the viewer knows is somehow going to be rescued by the bracelet business.

I often say that these movies struggle with any resemblance to reality but this one really stretches things. The business model portrayed in the movie is a confusing mess but somehow produces revenue enough to pay off months of back house payments and more. I was surprised when I did an internet search and saw one article claim the inspiration for these was an actual product on Amazon. Looking there I saw the subject bracelets were selling for nearly $30 each. Still.

There is an unintentional secret in the story which leads to a conflict. I thought that was overplayed, but they needed something and I guess the backstory does sort of explain the anger.

For those who don't like religious sermonizing, that part of this story is benign. While Dawn talks to God several times and emphasizes counting her blessings, the movie is far from preachy. And she could have been part of almost any mainstream religion.

What year is the wig that the actress playing the mother was designed in? This wig looks ridiculous for a 2023 movie. These hairdos reflect movies going back to Humphrey Bogart, Grace Kelly, and other deceased actresses. I do not know if I'm gonna continue watching it but PLEASE design WIGS that give the actress or actor some kind of style and allure for 2023! I have a lot of experience with hairdos and hairstyles, esthetics, wardrobe. You make-up and wardrobe artists need to realize that what you think is the new thing is old and passé. Use your creative juices to see beauty and also realism in whatever you create be at wigs, costumes or anything else.

8.0 stars.

As it got underway I could see this was going to be a special film. It's nice to have a story that is not totally outrageous with the miracles and the fluffy Christianity from a ridiculous perspective. A lot of Hallmark movies overstate these "miracles", making them out to be modern fairy tales. Yes, I believe in miracles, but how can we rightly believe that God will answer every little question or request by sending a fantastical set of signs and wonders? I would be in the majority who find those sorts of movies to be unconvincing.

'The Blessing Bracelet' is an understated version of an inspirational film, a tale of a woman who resorts to prayer to reconstruct a devastated life. Her husband disappeared 3 years ago leaving her and their son alone with massive debts. She is about to lose the house and she's in a very grim state trying to pick up the pieces of her life and learn to gain trust in men and life in general. God answers her prayers in a subtle yet undeniable way, and she builds her life once again until she is now in a better place than she was before. It's quite an endearing story of redemption, community and charity.

I came to this film because it stars Amanda Schull, a delightful actress whose career I have followed since she first appeared in film, playing Jody in "Center Stage". Here, she plays Dawn, a divorced mother with a son, who is facing foreclosure on the family home. She is desperately looking for a second job, hoping to pull herself out of the financial morass that her ex-husband left her.

This Hallmark film leaves little doubt about its main theme. The word "believe" runs all through the dialogue. It leans heavily on a faith-based approach to life, as symbolized by the church. But the primary lesson Dawn learns is to believe in herself; and that belief allows her to stop dwelling on the past and doubting her future.

The story is good for the Easter season-another religious aspect of the film. But the holiday of Easter arose from pagan traditions that celebrated the vernal equinox and the renewals of Spring, the hope for rebirth and fertility.

There is a romance within this story. It develops rather routinely, along Hallmarkian lines. It even includes the eleventh hour conflict that threatens the romance. Does anyone else think many of these conflicts are dubious at best?

Besides the theme of "belief", there are other reminders to celebrate and give small gifts. That, in itself, is another good reason to enjoy this touching film.