Paper Angels (2014) Reviews

• Good

  Christmas-Reviewer2016-10-25

  Paper Angels – Two unlikely friends have a big impact on their families for Christmas through The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program. Stars Matthew Settle and Josie Bissett. The "Christmas Theme" film is different in many wonderful ways. You think you know where the story is heading but it does something different "WHICH IS GREAT". Now this film at times might make you frustrated but the film takes you on a "Christmas Movie Journey that you will find unforgettable. The plot in this film is not predictable as you might think. The film leaves a few things "Open for your own interpretation" which is a "Christmas Miracle". Now beware of some peoples reviews on Christmas Moves. Many people only review ONE movie and give it a rave because "They have something to do with the film". I have seen this countless times. I have reviewed over 100. I am honest about them.

• Good message and good actors - not the usual trite Christmas movie

  phd_travel2016-09-13

  This is a more serious Christmas movie with good actors. The two intertwining stories are realistic and interesting. Matthew Settle of Gossip Girl plays a financially struggling business owner with twins on the way. Josie Bissett plays an abused wife who takes her kids to settle down in the same town where they face money troubles. She is quite good in less glamorous roles than usual. Her son faces some bullying. Liked the way he overcame his troubles. The stories intertwine cleverly. The message isn't too preachy it's about charity - the Paper Angels in the title. A change from the more trite romantic Christmas movies out there. This one has a message and a watchable cast.

• Very inspiring, as all Christmas movies should be

  inkblot112017-02-06

  Thomas (Rustin Gresiuk) is a transplanted high schooler with difficult circumstances. His mother Lynn (Josie Bissett) left his abusive and alcoholic father days ago, taking Thomas and his younger sister with her, in secret. Now, they live in a dumpy apartment and are among the poorest kids at school. Yet, Thomas understands and wants to be part of forging a new life for his family. Meanwhile, a local businessman, Kevin (Matthew Settle), a devout Christian whose wife is expecting twins, has had some setbacks in his company. Clients have withdrawn in bad economic times and he's uncertain if he can gain new ones. Not only this, but one of the twins is having some difficulties, according to the doctor. Its no surprise when Matt's wife is put on bed rest. Sensing his increased stress level, the wife encourages Kevin to go back to coaching high school level basketball at the local teen charity organization. He does and he runs into Thomas, where they become friends. But, more heartache awaits Thomas. He is being bullied at school, even to crossing heads with another talented roundball player. Then, his hard working mother announces that her kids must make a Christmas list, as the only gifts they will receive are from a "paper Angel" tree, where those with the means help those more unfortunate. How humiliating for Thomas! This nice Christmas film looks like a romance on the cover but its not. The main star is Gresiuk, who shines as the truly "good kid" Thomas. Settle is fine as the stressed impending father while Bissett is good as the woman who struggles to restart her life. All of the rest of the players, sets, costumes, script and direction are above average, too. Best of all, Paper Angels is about bringing Christ-like spirit to Christmas and everyday living, too. We can all use an inspirational film like that!

• Religion runs through it

  frukuk2016-11-21

  A decent enough film but, being of a non-religious persuasion, I found it saccharine and unbelievable. (Possible minor spoilers below.) One of the most unbelievable things was the extreme self-sacrifice of not-at-all-doubting Thomas. He didn't seem to struggle at all to be selfless. There's a scene -- and I'm consciously trying to avoid spoilers here -- where a doctor is asked what someone can do about a medical problem; I was half expecting the doctor to reply: "Pray!" On a minor note, the coincidence of a physically abusive husband and the belief in a "guiding hand", was a little sickening.

• Saint Thomas

  Jackbv1232018-11-26

  This is a beautiful Christmas story that also has a wonderful take on cyber-bullying. Of course it is another one of those movies that is way too good to be true and that goes double for Thomas. Oh, and brink Kleenex.