It’s that time of year again! Time for Christmas-themed films to fill us with joy, hope, laughter, and faith. And after a year like this, these films can’t start appearing too soon. One of the first holiday releases is MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS and, most appropriately, it is faith-based and speaks to the true meaning of Christmas and its origins.
Written and directed by Thomas Bonifield, MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS stars Erin Bethea and Jason Burkey as Mary and James, a couple facing extreme adversity during what should be a joyous time. While James seems to be taking the situation in stride and enjoying Christmas Day with their children and extended family and friends, Mary is falling apart under the stress and taking out her anger and frustration on everyone, including God. But thanks to Harry, a stranger James met at church during Christmas morning services, Mary’s world may not be as bleak as she sees it. Can a total stranger help Mary and James find the answers and peace they so desperately need?
MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS is a beautiful Christmas film. The faithful will love it. And while it may be focused on faith a bit too much for the non-believers, there is no getting around the most beautiful telling – from a spoken word and visual standpoint – of the Christmas Story which takes center stage as we move into the film’s third act. The “shadow box” visuals of its telling, which are designed with black silhouetted figures set against the beautiful blues and brights whites and auroras of the heavens and angels on high, are exquisite. Listening to Brett Varvel as Harry, with a punctuated almost robotic cadence and enunciation that is a character trait, then infuse that with uplifting emotion as he tells the Christmas Story is mesmerizing. Then look at the perfectly placed coverage shots of the family listening in rapt attention, not to mention a beautiful shot by cinematographer Josh Maas capturing a look of wonder on the face of Mary’s mother, says it all. The entire telling of the Christmas Story could be a stand-alone short film on its own.
While Bonifield may have structured MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS with the Christmas Story being the climactic moment to which all will relate and rejoice, it is his character development and the authenticity of a holiday family gathering with all of the foibles and fun that resonates from beginning to end while never forgetting the true meaning of the season and, of course, miracles. Notable are religious touchstones, such as the inclusion of the Benediction as part of the family grace at the dinner table.
Casting is well done with resulting familial chemistry that is brought to life through solid performances.
I always like to see Jason Burkey pop up in a film or tv project and here as James, is no different. Affable, likable, and upbeat, Burkey makes James a perfect counter to Bethea’s Mary.
As she often is, Erin Bethea is a bit “too much”; but that’s what makes her perfect for the roles she takes. She knows where she is best suited. Granted, she quite often has an arc that involves an emotional realization, such as here, but with MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS her performance feels forced in the first 2/3rds of the film. With dialogue designed to make Mary as annoying as can be, Bethea plays it to the hilt, perfectly capturing selfishness and self-absorption. Unfortunately, that plays out a bit too long and could have benefitted by a little trim on the editing which could have alleviated that feeling.
As Mary’s mother, Helen, Kimberly Cruchon Brooks is a delight. I first took note of her in “Ovid and the Art of Love” and really enjoyed her performance as “Livia.” And once again, with MIRACLE ON CHRISTMAS, she doesn’t disappoint. Brooks makes Helen the perfect, obsessive, mannered and proper, somewhat buttinsky mother who wants what she wants – like brunches every week; and there is hell to pay with great disdain if you defy mom. But at her core, Helen is butter. Brooks is delicious.
But it’s Brett Varvel who captivates as Harry. His eyes “speak” to you from the screen. And then add this rather unique calibrated speech pattern on top of that? You can’t help but watch him. You are drawn to him. But it’s the essence of unaffected purity and kindness that radiates from him and fuels the miracle of the season that speaks the loudest. Varvel is someone from whom I want to see more!
And Christmas carols from beginning to end! All are recognizable and are softly integrated within Stu Goldberg’s scoring, with a perhaps prescient repeat emphasis of “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.
While I think the film could have been trimmed down a bit by about 10 minutes as it does lag in parts, it is nevertheless a film for the season that reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas and the miracles that faith can bring.
Written and Directed by Thomas Bonifield
Cast: Erin Bethea, Jason Burkey, Brett Varvel, Kimberly Cruchon Brooks, Micah Lynn Hanson, James Pilachowski, Justin Mane, Lily Bowen
by debbie elias, 11/01/2020
