2/5 Sadly, not that great...
  by R. Miller (Texas)
Borrowed this from the library. It is based on the true story of Craig Shergold, a boy with cancer who desires to break the Guinness Record of most "Get Well" cards received before he dies. Not only does he break the record, he lives!
There is a bit of inspiration to be garnered and it was worth watching once, however, I wouldn't recommend anyone purchasing it. The acting was lacking; English accents would disappear, the boy seemed to be delayed in addressing his lines and often just sat there trying to "look sick". Kirk Cameron's (tiny) role was obviously added just to get him in. I was also quite dismayed at the direction/lines given to the mother, who's faith often seemed to revolve around the cards, rather than God. While I can't imagine the immense stress this family must have been under ~ the mother was downright insufferable at points.

4/5 Based On A True Story Films
  by jrtsjukejoint
Coming into a movie of its sorts you're expecting the sorrows, with your klenex close by. Having this about a child allows for the water works.
The young antagonist of the movie comes across as a delightful personality. He's into football, and for Christmas his parents give him a new bike, but he's tired. He's lying on the sofa.
After the holidays, he mentions an earache, but the doc doesn't think much of it. Mom and the pharmacist at the drugstore believe otherwise, as he worsens. With the days passing, his mom worries about a developing nightmare.
Any parent can understand the dread, and fears, when their precious child is in harms way.
The way various family members take to the boy's serious illness feels real. It's a combination of elements.
My one gripe is with the mom shortly losing her focus. Her son's illness should've come before breaking the record.

5/5 Love this movie!
  by Linda D Cunningham
This is a very inspiring movie, much loved by my grandson. Thank you for such speedy service. The dvd arrived in great condition. Thanks.

4/5 Touching
  by J. Davis (Stockport, England)
How closely this overtly Christian film hews to the "true" story I don't know, but I thought it worthwhile. The principals carry their parts off well, though Catherine Oxenberg, the American actress who plays the English mother, has trouble with the English accent throughout and doesn't quite get the English mannerisms across.

The flow of the picture is a tad too easy-going, considering the harrowing nature of the boy's illness, but, in general, the tone is appropriate. The brief appearance of Richard Thomas is one of the highlights.

Parts of the film evidently were shot in the U.K., but most of it appeared to be made in Vancouver. The frequent display of the Union Jack is a contrivance intended to add some authenticity to the shots, but is not typical of the British, who generally do not express their patriotism that way. There's quite a bit of mild swearing of the British variety, but it will go past most American viewers.


3/5 Not as good or as bad as the other reviews would claim...!
  by J. Enterkin (Raleigh, NC USA)
When I learned the premise that The Miracle of the Cards is based on, that discovery was met with an inward groan. Here it is: a young boy with a brain tumor, not likely to survive, wants to break the Guinness Book of World Records count for receiving get-well cards. I was glad to see that the movie is based on a true story, at least, and not some urban legend or internet hoax.

The story is told mostly through flashbacks during a sceptical reporter's interviews with the young patient's parents. From the mother's nightmares of seeing her son in a coffin (which began before his first symptoms), to his hospitalization and diagnosis with a rare form of cancer and his pursuit of the record for most cards received, this sentimental story is worth watching if you can remind yourself that it is based on a true story and that it's not a sappy takeoff on an urban legend / internet hoax.

Good production values, a few solid performances and what could have been a more compelling story line are unfortunately offset somewhat by a premise that has been defamed by internet hoaxes and by the length of the film at 89 minutes. Whether or not an hour and a half was needed to tell this story is debatable, but when a movie feels too long, it probably is.