While I have to keep vague on what this film is ultimately about, for the holiday romantics or for those who are in a similar situation as the film’s couple are experiencing and just need that glitter of hope and holiday magic, “Heaven Sent” is one of the best holiday telefilms you will see in your life. Highly recommended!
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TITLE: Heaven Sent
FILM YEAR: 2016
DURATION: 90 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition
COMPANY: Lifetime Television
RATED: TV-PG
RELEASE DATE: 2016
Directed by Michael Landon Jr.
Written by Rick Ramage
Executive Producer: Cindy Bond, B. Wayne Hughes Jr.
Produced by Michael Landon Jr., Rick Ramage
Line Producer: Eugene Mazzola
Associate Producer: Robert Brinkmann, Timothy D. Wiens
Music by Hanan Townshend
Cinematography by Robert Brinkmann
Edited by Bridget Durnford
Casting by Scot Boland, Victoria Burrows
Production Design by Jeremy Woodward
Art Direction by Eowyn Mishawn
Costume Design by Sandra Burns
Starring:
Christian Kane as Billy
Marley Shelton as Maire
Ryan McPartlin as Sean
Mallory James Mahoney as Taylor
Ernie Hudson as Donatello
It’s Christmastime as hopelessly romantic artist Billy Taylor and a sharp beautiful businesswoman Maire are coming to the end of their nine year marriage. Billy’s fight for Maire to stay after their heart-wrenching loss is all but over. Until… their silent pleas summon an answer in the form of a mischievous little miracle–an eight-year-old runaway from heaven who takes it upon herself to re-kindle the once intimate friendship and romance by any means necessary. Stars Christian Kane, Marley Shelton, Mallory James Mahoney, Ernie Hudson and Ryan McPartlin. (2016)
When it comes to films about love and compassion, Michael Landon Jr. (“When Calls the Heart”, “The Confession”, “Jamaa”) is one of those filmmakers/producers.
And for his first and only holiday film, “Heaven Sent”, which was written by Rick Ramage (“Peacemakers”, “Stigmata”), this holiday telefilm for Lifetime Television is probably in my top 3 of holiday telefilms of all time. In fact, it may be on the list as my #1 holiday telefilm ever made for Lifetime Television. that’s how much I loved this film.
The film stars Christian Kane (“Leverage”, “Friday Night Lights”, “Angel”), Marley Shelton (“Never Been Kissed”, “Planet Terror”, “Rise”), Ryan McPartlin (“L.A.’s Finest”, “Chuck”), Mallory James Mahoney (“Bunk’d”, “Adventures in Babysitting”) and Ernie Hudson (“Ghostbusters” I and II, “The Crow”).
“Heaven Sent” revolves around a married couple close to divorce after nine years of marriage.
Billy (portrayed by Christian Kane) is a professional artist and his wife, Maire (portrayed by Marley Shelton) is a business owner of Poet’s Walk, which she is a co-partner with Billy.
Maire has been offered a good number to sell her business made by businessman Sean (portrayed by Ryan McPartlin) but she has to talk with Billy, but talking with Billy has been difficult, as she is also trying to get him to sign the divorce papers.
Billy loves Maire and wants her to reconsider divorce, but Maire feels while they make good business partners, and she loved the way Billy was back then, times have changed and now she wants him to sign the divorce papers.
But the first time she signs and has him sign the papers, the window magically opens in her office and the divorce papers flew out and was run over by the street sweeper.
Maire attempts to get him to sign the divorce papers again and when she gets to his home, the house is in disarray.
While trying to get him to sign the papers, she notices Billy’s artwork of a young girl with curly hair that he self-consciously drew.
Again, with the process of signing the divorce papers, Maire goes to pour her coffee from the French Press, but it shatters and spills all over it, destroying the divorce papers.
Then out of nowhere in the kitchen, a little girl with curly blonde hair is looking inside the fridge.
Afraid that this kid may be a runaway, Billy and Maire call the police which brings someone at CPS to meet with the girl. But surprisingly, the police or the CPS can see the girl, named Taylor (portrayed by Mallory James Mahoney) and think the two are pranking them and reporting a child falsely.
Meanwhile, Maire instantly bonds with Taylor, but both Billy and Maire are not sure why they have a girl at the house that no one can see. Who is this mysterious girl and why has she shown up out of nowhere?
Meanwhile, a man in a suit and hat appears to be looking for the girl. Who can he be?
This is just a gist of what “Heaven Sent” is about and all I will say, without spoiling the story.
Of all the holiday films, this has to be the most original and because I have been in the same predicament as Billy and Maire (keeping a bit vague on this one, without spoiling the story), this holiday film hits harder and I found myself tearing up, crying because I found the film so touching
As for the couple, I would have to say it was so interesting to see Christina Kane and Marley Shelton in a parenting role. Both roles give them to play something entirely different, as Kane is often seen in more action-based roles.while Marley is typically a doctor (“The Lottery”, “Rampage”), FBI special agent (“Eleventh Hour”) or a motherly role (“Rise”), so these two talents get to play a different role, and also do a holiday film.
You also have reigning holiday king, Ryan McPartlin in a role as a businessman working with Maire. Since this film, McPartlin has been a main protagonist in many of the more entertaining holiday films released since this film was released back in 2016.
And it happens they are part of one of the more unique holiday films that you’ll ever seen from Lifetime.
In fact, It doesn’t matter which cable network, a lot of holiday films have similar storylines, but “Heaven Sent” may be a storyline that won’t be replicated as much because the big reveal may be a bit devastating or traumatic for a few people. It’s something I won’t bring up because it will spoil the film, but I will say that this is a touching, heartfelt film that will make you cry, shed tears, make you laugh but for the most part, it’s quite unique for a holiday film to touch upon.
The film also stars Ernie Hudson, which for those who grew up watching him on the two original “Ghostbusters” films would be happy to see him in this film as well.
While I have to keep vague on what this film is ultimately about, for the holiday romantics or for those who are in a similar situation as the film’s couple are experiencing and just need that glitter of hope and holiday magic, “Heaven Sent” is one of the best holiday telefilms you will see in your life. Highly recommended!
PURCHASE THIS FILM ON AMAZON PRIME