While I admit to being a sucker for just about any corny Christmas movie, this one is far above the norm as one can tell just from the cast list. Laura Dern, Lynn Redgrave, Cathy Baker, and Carla Gugino are all well respected lead actresses for good reason, and here some of them play quite small roles, though it's the quality of the supporting cast that makes this film far better than most. Patty Dukes as the angel is probably the corniest element, but one has to accept a bit of corn in a holiday movie, and she handles the role as well as anyone could. As other reviewers here have said, the dialog is quite good, and the performances by the children, especially the always-strong Mae Whitman, are engaging without ever becoming too cute. Definitely worth a watch.

A Season For Miracles finds Carla Gugino badly in need of one. She's the aunt of Mae Whitman and Evan Sabara and their mother Laura Dern is her usual mess. In jail once again for some substance abuse misdemeanor and now the state is ready to take the kids from her. Carla would like to have them, but as she's unemployed ain't no way she'll be granted custody. Most likely the kids will be split up in the foster care system.That's not good enough for Gugino. She takes the kids out of state and flees. Arriving at a version of Bedford Falls, a kindly waitress played by Patty Duke has a way of insisting that the whole family stop and see this very well kept up, but abandoned home in her town of Bethlehem. They stop and they squat.It's only supposed to be for a night, but things just somehow keep them there especially all the good folks in the town. The house was a legacy that was never claimed by its inheritor for one reason or another. But with the state breathing down her neck and the fact she's a fugitive wanted on kidnapping, Carla's got to make tracks.But as things turn out in this Christmas time special, it turns out to be a real Season For Miracles. Carla even gets herself some romance in the form of deputy sheriff David Conrad.A Season For Miracles is sentimental without being terribly maudlin which is easy to do with these kind of films. Is someone from a higher plain of existence keeping some track of our situations and ready to step in with a miracle, if not one that's as spectacular as parting an ocean? This film offers the proposition that such is the case and it does so in a pleasant and entertaining manner.

I've watched this movie over and over, and still love it. The story line is a little fantastical, totally in line with other holiday fare like "A miracle on 42nd street," but the dialog and characters are what really distinguish it. At least six of the cast have solid, deep characters with great dialog, integral to the story, which builds wonderfully and sparingly. Not an opportunity is lost for quaint, touching, moving lines (bring your tissues.) Yes, there are bad guys, but very much in the background, representative of an uncaring world. The focus here is on building family, and trust. Don't miss Mary Fogarty and Mary Louise Wilson as Agatha and Corinna, the ideal grandmothers.

I really enjoyed this movie. I ordered it online the next day, I wish I had taped it. The movie is in many ways a feel-good holiday movie, but the acting was outstanding by all. Carla Gugino especially did a fabulous job. The only complaint I have about this movie is about the ending. It seemed like everything was wrapped up in the last five minutes, and while I know the movie had to have a happy ending, it was an unrealistic one. But overall, this was a very good drama, I highly recommend it.