Christmas in Conway (2013)

Christmas in Conway will make you laugh, it will make you angry at the cranky neighbor Gayle Matthews (played by comedian Cheri Oteri), it will make you root for the unknown young lovers palliative care nurse Natalie Springer (Mandy Moore), and landscaper Tommy Harris (Riley Smith) but mostly it will make your own heart bleed with sorrow and hope for the true love felt by contractor husband Duncan Mayor (Andy Garcia) and his cancer stricken wife Suzy Mayor (Mary- Louise Parker).There are stories within stories which are explained by the bed ridden Suzy Mayor to her palliative care nurse Natalie Springer which allow us to slowly understand the deep anger and resentment that Suzy's husband Duncan carries with him like an elephant on his shoulders. This deep anger and resentment has no room for anyone in his life except his lovely bed ridden wife Natalie who he will do anything for, and I do mean anything. Now Suzy's good friend the Doctor Emmons (Jason Davis) has advised Suzy's husband Duncan that the agreement was that he would release Suzy from the hospital and allow her to die gracefully at home in her own bed on one condition only and that one condition being that Duncan had to agree to allow the palliative care nurse Natalie Springer to also reside in the house 24 hours each and every day to assist Suzy through her ups and many downs with her medication as the cancer took away her strength slowly.When Duncan experiences first hand a significant set back with Suzy's health when he tries to make her happy when he attempts to take her to the seaside carnival they once rode the Ferris wheel and he proposed to her on, he decides the next best thing that he can do to show her how much he loves her is to find an abandoned Ferris wheel and rebuild it in his own backyard. The only thing that was missing from this beautiful Christmas themed movie was the Beatles song "I get by with a little help from my friends", as Duncan's dream of making his ill wife Suzy happy by riding a Ferris wheel just once more and this dream could not be accomplished without a lot of help from some new friends.The film is an inspiration and reminds us not judge any person by a first or even second impression, but to think the best of everyone and they will reward you with the goodness that is within them, be it a little or a lot of goodness. Now the dying Suzy Mayor is rewarded with the goodness she deserves from others as she gave to the many people she touched, especially that of her husband Duncan who by the end of the film we all think very highly of.

I am a hospice volunteer sitter, and this movie was particularly inspiring to me. It gave a realistic picture of what hospice patients and their family members go through and also the compassion of people who work in hospice occupations. It reflected the message of what hospice is all about. Movie is sad but also contains moments of humor and the love and compassion from the most unexpected people. Great actors and great writing and storyline. Love to see movies that reflect caring people. Loved it and great acting! Highly recommend, especially to families that have had loved ones under the care of hospice. This movie would be a great training tool for employees to watch!

Christmas in Conway is about a loving husband, Duncan who brings home his terminally ill wife, Suzy to be with those who love her . She wants no more treatment for her illness. A young health carer, Natalie, whom the wife calls, Pretty Lady, helps taking care of her and to console a saddened and grumpy husband who would give the world to have her happy until the end. I've been an avid fan of Andy Garcia since I've seen him starring in When a man loves a Woman for the very first time. I loved him for the way he portrayed the hurt and distressed husband of a wife who abused alcohol. Although I've also thought of him as being very good looking, I adored his talent and tried to see all his work over the years. I have seen mostly dramas done by him as well as comedy, which I have also enjoyed immensely. A dear friend surprised me with a wonderful gift, when I received a DVD of Christmas in Conway in the mail recently. Starring my beloved Andy Garcia as well as Mandy Moore and Mary Louise Parker. What a delightful evening I had. Watching this Jewel of a movie with loved ones. Although it was very sad, I had some good laughs as well! Needless to say, I started to cry early on in the movie, which ended in loud sobs. No shame here! I enjoyed this beautiful and heartwarming story as never before. What I loved most,is the way the ending was done. Beautifully done by the producer, in my opinion! Quite unexpected, because I thought it was going to end in a different way, at a 'most awaited' moment towards the end. Wow! Is about all I can say! Andy has aged, like all people do, but he still has the amazing talent and ability to charm this lady's heart in a very nice way. And make my heart skip a beat or two, with his good looks. Be kind to yourself and find a way to see this awesome, wonderful and wholesome movie with a dear friend or even a granddaughter often years old. I'm going to watch it again and a again and again.

Christmas In Conway is a made for TV drama starring Andy Garcia from The Godfather,Mary Louise Parker from Weeds,Riley Smith from New York Minute and Mandy Moore from A Walk To Remember and Disney's Tangled.The film chronicles on a man played by Garcia who's wife played by Parker is dying and she hasn't got much time left. Meanwhile a young girl called Natalie played by Moore is sent to help the man with his dying wife while he plans to built a Ferris wheel for her as Natalie is a nurse who helps Parker's charcther out of bed and feeds her. The story is quite similar to the 2002 film A Walk To Remember starring Moore as both Garcia and West built something for their dying partners; West with a Telescope,Garcia with a Ferris wheel.Two reasons why I checked this film out was because: 1. I'm a fan of Mandy Moore for 15 years now since 1999 when she was known as the bubbly blonde pop star back in the days and she also starred in my all time favourite movies Tangled and A Walk To Remember.2. I like watching romantic films and dramas depending on the actual story that goes with them.Overall what did I think of it well it wasn't a bad film,not as good as Remember Sunday with Zachary Levi but still its a good movie to check out as I have seen it today for the first time. Its a 6 out of 10.