Paper Angels

Paper Angels is a heartwarming and emotionally intense family drama released in 2014 and directed by David Winning. The film features a compelling ensemble cast, including Matthew Settle of Gossip Girl fame, Rustin Gresiuk, known for his role in Flicka: Country Pride, and Melrose Place star Josie Bissett. The narrative is based on the inspiring novel "Paper Angels" penned by country singer-songwriter Jimmy Wayne and Travis Thrasher.

The movie tells the story of two main protagonists: Thomas Brandt (Matthew Settle) and his son Kyle (Rustin Gresiuk). After the tragic loss of his wife, Thomas, a once-successful advertising executive, grapples with guilt and grief, resulting in a downward spiral into alcoholism and chronic unemployment. Kyle is an empathetic teenager striving to keep the family unit intact while dealing with everyday hardships of adolescence. As the holidays approach, their grim situation compounds when they are evicted from their home.

Parallel to the Brandt family tale is the story of Lynn (Josie Bissett), a dedicated wife and mother who faces her own set of challenges. Lynn's husband abuses her, and she bravely decides to protect herself and her two children by fleeing from her abusive situation. Lynn leaves with nothing, forcing her and her children to come face-to-face with the harsh realities of living in poverty, with only each other for comfort and support.

Interconnection between the storylines comes into play when Lynn's family and the Brandts cross paths through their local Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. This program is designed to help underprivileged children during the holiday season. Finding help and giving back inadvertently brings these two struggling families together, creating new bonds, reigniting lost hope, and ultimately leading them towards a path to redemption.

Matthew Settle portrays an emotionally complex Thomas with depth that shows his internal struggle between his past success and his present failure. His son, played by Rustin Gresiuk, is a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity, portraying the simmering emotions of a teenager trying to stay strong for his family. Josie Bissett delivers a stellar performance as a woman who manifests both victimhood and resilience, navigating through the uncertainties of her new life and bravely facing the challenge of rebuilding her life from scratch.

Paper Angels effectively explores themes of family, faith, and the power of community support through its storytelling prowess. It explores the pain, desperation, and despair of individuals and families grappling with loss, financial hardship, and domestic violence. However, it also beautifully illuminates the enduring strength of the human spirit, the importance of hope, and the change that compassion and kindness can bring into people's lives.

David Winning's direction seamlessly knits together multiple narratives, maintaining the dignity and gravity of each character's respective struggles. The picture is poignant without becoming dark, thanks to the well-placed elements of hope, love, and caring. This is further enhanced by the remarkable performances of the lead characters, who bring sincerity and depth to their roles, transforming their fictional adversity into a relatable human experience for the audience.

The movie beautifully captures the season's essence of giving, making it an excellent addition to holiday viewing collections. However, it does so without restricting itself to the holiday genre, making it a film that can be enjoyed year-round for its universal messages of resilience, hope, and generosity.

In essence, Paper Angels is a touching exploration of hardship that doesn't shy away from the realities of poverty and abuse. But it also sends an overwhelmingly positive message. It's about people who, despite their private battles, choose hope, faith, and charity, showing a way out of the darkest circumstances. It's a story about the power of giving - whether it's a simple paper angel gift, a kind word, or a second chance.