If there is one Christmas movie that breaks my heart more than any other it would have to be "One Magic Christmas". The beginning with the Grangers being evicted from their apartment and crabby Ginnie not getting a moments peace, even in the shower, leaves me emotionally drained.
And then when I think this movie can't get any sadder the bank robber shoots Ginnie's husband, hijacks kids in the car and proceeds to drive off the road, killing them all. The following scene with Ginnie (Mary Steenburgen) running after the car always has me in a complete sobs.
After that the movie takes a strange turn where Gideon the angel brings the kids back to life followed by Santa doing the same to the dad, Jack.
What I find so amazing about the film is how it represents impoverished America, from a mother on food stamps to abusive managers at low-skilled jobs. And although Ginnie is depressed, her husband Jack and kids look on the bright side of life. Of course in Ginnie's defense, she's the one working at the grocery store while unemployed Jack builds bikes all day.
Anyway, I think the film does a great job at showing the struggles many in this country go through financially this time of year. A side we rarely see in today's TV and movie.
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