Product Details

• Actors: James Van Der Beek, Erin Karpluk, Doris Roberts, Michael Strusievici, Valin Shinyei
• Directors: Michael Scott
• Writers: Debbie Macomber, David Golden
• Producers: Michael Scott, Caroline Moore, Dan Wigutow, Debbie Macomber, Harvey Kahn
• Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: November 16, 2010
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003Z94WC0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,857 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Mrs. Miracle" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Seth Webster (James Van Der Beek) is a widowed father trying to raise a pair of unruly boys. When the twins drive off yet another nanny, he hires a kindly and angelic woman named Mrs. Merkle (Doris Roberts) to take care of their household. Before long, the twins are behaving less like feral beasts and more like well-behaved little gentlemen. And though he's still mourning the loss of his wife, Seth also shows a glimmer of hope. A romantic and upbeat film, Mrs. Miracle doesn't offer any amazing revelations or plot twists. Viewers often know what will happen before the characters do. But it is a satisfying and warm made-for-TV movie. And while it would certainly have been interesting, no, the romance isn't between Seth and Mrs. Merkle. Rather, Mrs. Merkle helps facilitate a burgeoning relationship between Seth and Reba Maxwell (Erin Karpluk), a comely woman who has been deeply hurt by love in the past as well. Van Der Beek plays his part well, with his patented subdued mannerisms. While the actor doesn't look much different than he did when he played the titular character in Dawson's Creek, he easily plays the dad role with the kind of believability that parents will recognize and relate to. --Jae-Ha Kim

Product Description

James Van Der Beek (TV’s Dawson’s Creek) and Doris Roberts (TV’s Everybody Loves Raymond) star in this heartwarming charmer about family, faith and forgiveness. Overwhelmed widower Seth Webster (Van Der Beek) is searching for a housekeeper to help him with his rambunctious six-year-old twin sons. Mrs. Merkle (Roberts)—whom the boys call “Mrs. Miracle”—mysteriously appears and quickly becomes an irreplaceable nanny, chef, friend… and matchmaker. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes this whimsical holiday story filled with good tidings and great joy.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking for that feel-good holiday film on DVD, "Mrs. Miracle" is definitely for you! October 21, 2010

By Dennis A. Amith (kndy) TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

In December 2009, the novel to movie adaptation of Debbie Macomber's "Mrs. Miracle" debuted on the Hallmark channel. The original novel has sold over 60 million copies and with the holiday season around the corner, the film "Mrs. Miracle" starring Doris Roberts ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), James Van Der Beek ("Dawson's Creek", "Varsity Blues") and Erin Karpluk ("Being Erica", "Life Unexpected") is set for a release on DVD.

"Mrs. Miracle" revolves around Seth Webster (played by Van Der Beek) and Reba Maxwell (played by Erin Karpluk), two people who are going through their own personal pain in their lives.

Seth is widower with two six-year-old twin boys Jason and Judd and as a pianist, since the death of his wife, not only has he stopped playing the piano, he has kept the existence of his deceased wife away from them. Unwilling to talk about her until they grow older, despite the kids wanting to know more about their mother. So, while Seth focuses on his construction company, he tries to find a nanny to watch over the kids.

Unfortunately for Seth, every nanny that have been hired tend to quit on the Webster family because they can't deal with Jason and Judd, as the two are kids that tend to get into mischief.

Meanwhile, Reba is is a young woman who owns her own travel agency. A once aspiring actress, her life has been turned upside down when her older sister Vicki (played by Johannah Newmarch) had stolen her fiance a day before their wedding day. So, part of her has remained a bit bitter and she tends to focus her life around her career. Her good friend Kate (played by Chelah Horsdal) tries to get Reba away from her business and have some fun but unfortunately Reba is not budging....

As for the Webster's, their life seems to change with the arrival of Mrs. Merkle (played by Doris Roberts), a new nanny assigned to the family and one who accepts the children and tries to bring some good into the family who is in need of some help. But Mrs. Merkle appears to be more than just a regular nanny.

Immediately, Mrs. Merkle uses her magical ways in trying to help the children and Seth but also finding a way for Reba to break out of her shell and become the director of the Christmas play (which the Webster twins are part of).

While trying to bring some magic and help Seth's broken heart, she finds a way for both Seth and Reba to meet and from their, the two go on that first date. But with these two people who have had major pain in their lives... will they be able to come together and find love with one another? With Mrs. Merkle/Mrs. Miracle around, most definitely.

VIDEO:

"Mrs. Miracle" is presented in Anamorphic widescreen (1:78:1). For those looking for a holiday-themed film, "Mrs. Miracle" definitely brings that Christmas atmosphere to your home viewing experience. With that being said, picture quality is fine, as with most DVD releases, you are going to see compression artifacts and banding with this title. But if you are not that picky with overall PQ, the video is just fine.

AUDIO:

"Mrs. Miracle" is presented in English 5.0 Dolby Digital. The film is dialogue driven and is heard through the front and center channels quite clearly. I didn't notice much usage of the surround channels but for the most part, dialogue and also the music are heard quite fine through the front channels.

Subtitles are in English, French, Spanish and English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Mrs. Miracle" comes with no special features but previews.

JUDGMENT CALL:

When it comes to the holidays, I tend to expect an emotional Hallmark holiday film. And since the release of "The Note" films, I have come to appreciate the Hallmark holiday films as we don't see the original holiday new movies as much as before, but more of the usual holiday repeats on television.

In the case of "Mrs. Miracle", it is your typical film in which someone comes into the life of a family in need of some help and this magical person... Mrs. Miracle is there to help. And personally, I have watched these kind of films many times but I keep coming back to them because I'm always open to films that showcase hope, overcoming pain and faith. It helps that the film is a holiday film as well because I do believe that there are people who have go through heartbreak or some pain around the holiday season that you just want to watch an uplifting film, despite its banality.

"Mrs. Miracle" is a feel-good film with a happy ending and it's a Hallmark film which you don't ask for much but just to be entertained and even shed a tear or two.

I did enjoy the film adaptation of "Mrs. Miracle", I haven't read the novel but it was a holiday film that is very easy to get into and enjoy. It's important to note that while there are children in this film and a viewer will need to sit through children singing Christmas songs, the film is more for the adults than the entire family. The emotional situations that both the main characters are going through, it's one of those things that children probably will not understand. From Seth's difficulty of having to openly talk about his deceased wife which is too hard for him and for Reba, it's the sheer hatred she has for her sister for taking her fiance away from her and now with the holiday season coming up, her mother wanting to bring her daughters together for the holidays. So, the emotional driven storylines of both main characters probably won't go over too well with the young children.

I have to admit that having watched James Van Der Beek on "Dawson's Creek" it was a bit of a trip to watch him as a father of two children but for the most part, he played the part of the hurting father quite well, as did Erin Karpluk with her role as the new girlfriend with a painful past. Doris Roberts is just an actress you just enjoy watching (especially if you are a "Everybody Loves Raymond" fan). Granted, a different kind of character as Mrs. Miracle is more about helping the family or people in need.

Overall, "Mrs. Miracle" was a touching holiday film. By no means is this film like a modern-day Mary Poppins but it is a film that is much more in common with the usual angel as a human trying to help out a person in need, or two humans in need. Sure, it's a story that many of us are used to but in the context of the Holiday spirit, once in awhile, you need these upbeat, Christmas films with a happy ending. A heartfelt and enjoyable Christmas film that just makes you feel good around the holidays. A holiday film where you can just hope to be entertained, not expecting too much but expecting something positive and uplifting...especially if you are feeling all stressed, bummed out and worked during the holidays.

If you're in this position, "Mrs. Miracle" can at least give you the benefit of being entertained, but also giving you that feeling of forgiveness and hope if you are open to these magical holiday films. Read more ›

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun family holiday film with a lesson in forgiveness November 5, 2010

By J. Olsen

Format:DVD

As the movie began it was very reminiscent of the opening of the movie "Nanny Express." Nannies are coming and going at a rapid pace, unable to cope with the two rambunctious kids of a widowed man. But in this case the kids are twin six-year-old boys who need a role-model, not a playmate for a father (according to one departing nanny). They are not bratty, spoiled kids who are annoying to watch, they are just kids who have lacked good parenting and need some guidance.

The storyline has been very thoroughly covered in a previous review, so I won't spend time there. "Mrs. Miracle," whose name is really Mrs. Merkle but the twins keep getting it wrong and it sticks, is played delightfully by Doris Roberts. She is not only a magical nanny who achieves "Super Nanny" results without a "naughty chair," but she is pretty effective in the matchmaking department, too. The romance involves two people who have been deeply hurt in their past and have not been able to let go. One needs to forgive a very devastating hurt caused knowingly by a loved one, the other needs to face the loss of a loved one and move on. They can each see the need in the other person's life, but can't recognize it in their own. I found the story of forgiveness to be very effectively portrayed and very moving.

This holiday film was entertaining on the surface and meaningful on a deeper level. I appreciated that it was pretty family friendly--I can only recall one incident of profanity. There is some discord between the female lead and her family members as she works through her process of forgiving, but I felt it was a real portrayal of the struggle to forgive a life-changing offense. The "magical" aspect is not overplayed and adds to the "Christmas" feel.... I've never read the book upon which it is based, but I would recommend this movie. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Miracle A Winner December 29, 2010

By L. Rogers

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Mrs Miracle is a winner in my book. The story is heart-warming, and it truly believable. Miracles do happen at Christmas time, and Debbie Macomber helps them come to life. A great read for the young at heart, no matter the chronological years one may wear! Highly recommended reading.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, Romantic, and Wholesome Family movie December 6, 2010

By happy girl

Format:DVD

I enjoyed this movie so much. Mrs. Miracle is a nanny who helps her employer find love again. She gets to nanny twins, and they out are so cute. The story also has a good moral teaching about forgiveness and letting go of bitterness. It is a great
Christmas movie and I would recommend it to anyone. :-)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs. Miracle November 30, 2010

By wonderpraise50

Format:DVD

I love this Christmas story of an angel who is sent down to people who are in need of miracles, love, and hope. Awesome! I would highly recommend this movie to others to ignite a spirit of Christmas if they feel down or in need of a miracle.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Story November 17, 2010

By Mark E. Shaffer

Format:DVD

Dennis A. Amith has written a fine review. I will disagree with him on one point. He describes Reba Maxwell, (Erin Karpluk, "Being Erica") as 'hating' her sister. Reba was betrayed by the two people she most trusted. I feel 'heartbroken' would be a more accurate description of her initial condition in the movie.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see movie this holiday season December 13, 2011

By lakerfan33

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I saw this movie last year and loved it so much I decided when it came out on dvd I had to have it. This story is about two people who have both
s uffered a loss and find each other at a time when both had given up on the world. He is a single dad who buries his pain of losing his wife and
she has suffered a betrayal of her sister. Mrs.Miracle comes in and shows them they don't have to hold on to the pain and they can be happy again.
This is by far one on my favorite holiday movies. You can't go wrong with this movie.