Movie review: The Christmas Candle
Movie review: The Christmas Candle
23 December 2017
Based on the popular novel by Max Lucado, The Christmas Candle is a heartfelt Christmas tale.
On the face of it, a film of Max Lucardo’s whimsical book The Christmas Candle should translate well to film, making a viewing experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Sadly, something went amiss between the words on the page and what made it to the screen.
Set in a picturesque English village of 1890, the story follows the villagers’ belief that once every 25 years an angel visits and touches a single candle, made by the traditional village candle-maker, and whoever happens to receive this candle will also experience a miracle on Christmas Eve. 
Progressive young mister David Richmond (Hans Matheson) is persuaded to become the village pastor, as his reputation as a fine preacher has preceded him. However, David views the Christmas candle tradition as a fairytale and tries to bring the villagers’ beliefs into line with modern theological thinking. Along the way, there are challenges for pastor and congregation, and much butting of heads before the conflict resolves itself in a way that helps everyone.
The film script is heavy-handed, with too many obvious clichés that get in the way of what should have been a charming story. The Christmas Candle has some fine talent with actors of the calibre of John Hannah, Lesley Manville and Barbara Flynn, all faces you will recognise from British television, but they are given a clunky script.
The Christmas Candle was also Britain’s Got Talent left-field winner Susan Boyle’s acting debut, and that was one casting decision that should never have been made – Boyle is a charming singer who simply cannot act.
All that being said, The Christmas Candle has its heart in the right place. And if you watch it not expecting a high-quality film, you will appreciate the pleasing vignettes of the wonderful work the Salvos were doing at the time. Plus, there is a happy ending to enjoy.
The Christmas Candle is rated PG and is available at Koorong.
Julie Houghton is a journalist for Warcry Magazine.
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