Susan Granger’s review of “The Christmas Candle” (EchoLight Studios)
Set in the 1890s in England, this fable revolves around a young, progressive preacher who questions his faith and finds his devotion renewed by a holiday miracle.
When Rev. David Richmond (Hans Matheson) is recruited to come to the tiny town of Gladbury, he discovers that his parishioners believe that, every 25 years, an angel-blessed Christmas candle will create a miracle for whomever lights it with a prayer on Christmas Eve. His skepticism alienates not only the Old World candle maker (former “Dr. Who” Sylvester McCoy) and his wife (Lesley Melville) but also most of the villagers. His only ally seems to be feisty Emily Barstow (Samantha Barks). Determined to prove that kindness and good deeds, not alleged miracles, bring humans closer to Jesus Christ, he delivers Advent sermons and sets a Christian example by helping neighbors with chores and home repairs. But in an attempt to modernize Gladbury, he takes pride in installing new-fangled electric light bulbs in the church, which leads to unexpected consequences.
Adapted by Candace Lee and Eric Newman from a book by Texas Pastor Max Lucado and directed by John Stephenson, it’s muddled and emotionally sterile, lacking mysticism, mystery and magic. Since Stephenson is former vice president/creative supervisor of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the special effects of the angel’s visitation are imaginative.
While “Britain’s Got Talent”/two-time Grammy nominee Susan Boyle appears briefly – albeit awkwardly – as the church warden’s wife, singing “Miracle Hymn,” it is charming Susan Barks, familiar as lovelorn Eponine in last year’s “Les Miserables,” who is most memorable as the sassy shopgirl.
FYI: Former presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is CEO of EchoLight Studios, which distributes faith-based films like this. A social conservative, Santorum has
criticized Hollywood, noting, “The devil for a long, long time has had these screens for his playground.”
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Christmas Candle” is a flickering 5, not even remotely comparable to traditional Christmas classics like “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Bells of St. Mary’s” and “Going My
Way.”
