Carol of the Bells (2019) User Reviews

Beautiful Film

[harlowmorgan · 9/10 · 10 April 2020]

This movie is so well done that it moved me to tears the cast really sold me on the narrative of the story and gives a lot of people with disabilities a lot of hope to work in the filming industry with nerotypical people of the business,its a wonderful film.

Carol Of The Bells is a wonderful Christmas drama film.

[grantdan · 9/10 · 14 April 2020]

This movie touched my heart because it was filled with happy reunions it gives a voice to to the world of developmental disabilities and adoption. It also contained important lessons about confronting the past similar to Disney's The Lion King, as both movies teach that you must make peace with the past to truly move forward. The story is good and the set design was amazing. The Johnson house was beautiful both inside and out. The city of Bakersfield was ideal choice to shoot an old fashioned film because the city has many old fashioned buildings like the churches and Woolworth's antique store and diner. Surprisingly, I connected with the private detective in the movie played by Dale Oprandy, because I love detectives and I relate to them because I'm good at solving problems and using logic and reasoning like they do.

Sweetness

[BandSAboutMovies · 5/10 · 28 February 2020]

Carol of the Bells won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the San Diego International Film Festival. It was created by Joey Travolta - yes, one of the five siblings of John - who has made it his mission to help students "develop self-esteem, confidence, and creativity through acting and digital film making."

So what's it all about? Well, a troubled young man has been looking for his mother and is amazed to find out that she's developmentally disabled.

Me, I was astounded to learn that Geri Jewell was in this movie. She was a big deal when I was a kid, showing up and making every episode of The Facts of Life into a very special episode.

Lee Purcell (Valley Girl), Donna Pescow (yes, from that other Travolta movie Saturday Night Fever) and a cast and crew that is made up of 70% of individuals with developmental disabilities make this pretty interesting.

This is the kind of movie with a message that we rarely review on this site. Mainly, we're just about people exploding and leather gloved hands choking people. But hey - we can recognize a sweet movie when it comes our way.

Carol of the bells

[nabransby · 10/10 · 14 April 2020]

Carol of the bells is a family drama film. The story of carol of the bells is when Scott finds his biological mother and finds out she has Down Syndrome. I felt happy and sad because he wants his son Jeremy to see carol and I felt sad because Scott doesn't want to talk to his biological mother and Scott just wants to move on. I connected to this story because it touches me deep down. The actor Helen Harris who played the character of Donna Mills was frustrated because Karen read a letter to her.

Another great feel good Christmas movie

[ryansurf-32791 · 10/10 · 14 April 2020]

"Carol Of the Bells" is about a man with cerebral palsy trying to find her biological mother, and he is shocked to see that she has down syndrome. At first, he gives up trying to find her, but his wife encourages him to reconcile with her, and they form a friendship. It is a feel good movie with a deep message. This story made me feel happy and sad at times. It made me feel happy when he finally celebrated Christmas and his son's birthday, because he finally cares about all that. It made me feel sad when his mother's mother didn't want them to see each other, because she doesn't know how that will affect Carol's mentality. RJ Mitte, who played the main character, Scott Johnson, gave a powerful performance as a person trying to escape his past. I really connected to him because he's struggling to forgive his mother for all of the bad things she did to him. Yuly Mireles, who played Scott's wife, Karen, also gave an impeccable performance as a woman trying to get her husband to reconcile with his mother. She is the glue that's keeping this family together. Elijah Maximus, who played their son, Jeremy, plays a child who you immediately fall in love with because he is...just the cutest little peanut. He's important to the story because he wants his father to care about Christmas and his own birthday. Andrea Fay Friedman, who played Scott's mother, Carol, the title character, was very good in this movie because you are convinced when she's sad because she misses her son. Donna Mills, who plays Carol's mother, Helen Harris, is a misunderstood woman who's running Carol's life. She's important to the story because she is trying to keep this family apart. The technical aspect that helped tell the story is the cinematography, which is what I love about movies. This movie is beautifully filmed, like the shot of the tiny hand and the big hand holding each other. All of the lights on the set really stand out, like the establishing shots of the Johnson house, and the shot of the Christmas tree at the end. The drone shots of the city made this movie cinematic. The cinematography helped tell the story because, as a Christmas family movie, it should be a well-lit, well-shot picture, which it was. "Carol Of the Bells" is a movie about a broken family being brought back together, which is what Christmas is all about. In my opinion, it is an honest, heart-felt, meaningful movie that deserves to be shown every Christmas season.

Love this movie

[hmonk-07503 · 10/10 · 16 June 2022]

I love this movie though I'm a little bias I have no choice but to love it the baby that plays baby carol at the end of the movie is my daughter Hannah Munk though they Miss spelled the last name it's actually Monk. Even though she doesn't remember being in it I am soo proud of my baby girl.

Amazing!

[concjones · 10/10 · 11 August 2020]

I absolutely love this movie. The story line is so touching and inspirational. It's one of the best movies I have ever watched.

Very Good family movie

[makharry · 10/10 · 18 October 2020]

I really like the story of specially abled mom, who was kept away from son. Son finding about his mom. His wife equation with uniting mom and son.

Andrea is as usual superb. Feeling lot of emotions, but cannot describe in words. R J Mitte, the handsome guy, didn't let us know about his syndrome in the acting. The kid's acting at par for that age. So understanding about his father emotions.

The only thing is great grandmothers doesn't look that aged. I wonder about it.

A plus Christmas movie

[sylalejandro · 10/10 · 2 July 2021]

Excellent movie. Good choice of actors. Very touching film. This is a movie that you can watch over and over and enjoy it each time. Also having students learning behind the camera for this movie is an experience they will always remember. A classic Christmas movie!

Sweetest Feel Good Movie Ever

[haileycat-01512 · 10/10 · 7 March 2020]

Carol of the Bells is a heart warming film. I loved the performance of the little boy. The film itself focuses on mental and physical disabilities in our society and how it is addressed. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves to watch feel good movies.

Fantastic Film - Great for the Entire Family - Love the Inclusivity

[theatersusan · 10/10 · 7 March 2020]

I loved this film. It focuses on the importance of family, love and coming to terms with your past. I read that a majority of the crew and some of the cast had developmental differences - and I loved the full circle inclusivity in producing such a beautiful story.

A Movie that Educates, Inspires and Warms Your Soul

[gregherzik · 10/10 · 28 March 2020]

This movie was so much more than I expected. A beautiful story that is bound to capture your heart and open your eyes. It is filled with emotion. A big applause to these amazing actors and actresses who brilliantly helped this incredible Director deliver a powerful message. I hope there are more movies like these to follow. I'll be anxiously awaiting. I absolutely loved it! A must see!!!! Thank you.... this film is a gift! Tina H.