If you're looking for flaws in the CBS movie "Borrowed Hearts," you don't have to look hard. A cynical critic can find plenty of them.
After five minutes, you can pretty easily predict how the made-for-television film is going to turn out. It mimics any number of TV and theatrical movies that came before. It's more than a bit shamelessly manipulative of its audience's emotions: A precocious youngster is central to the plot.And the story is moved along by a high power of sorts - is he an angel or isn't he? - generally one of the biggest cop-outs when it comes to script-writing.
But when it comes to something like "Borrowed Hearts," it's time to toss all cynicism aside. This is a charming little TV movie with its heart in the right place.
If you're looking for some good old-fashioned story telling, nice performances and a happy ending, look no further than this week's CBS Sunday Night Movie (8 p.m., Ch. 2).
Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel") - affecting an American accent - stars as Kathleen, the single mother of a 7-year-old daughter. Kathleen has been abandoned by her ne'er-do-well husband and is struggling to make ends meet with what she makes at the local factory.
Her daughter, Zoey (Sarah Rosen Fruitman), still manages to keep the faith. She's hoping an angel will grant her Christmas wish - the return of her missing father.
Meanwhile, there are plans afoot at the factory that could make Kathleen's life - and the lives of the other workers - even more difficult. The handsome young owner, Sam (Eric McCormack), is planning to sell the plant to a Mexican businessman. Just one problem - the buyer, Javier Del Campo (Hector Elizondo of "Chicago Hope") is expecting confirmed bachelor Sam to be a family man.
You can see where this is headed, right?
Sure, you have to suspend disbelief more than a bit. Like when Sam's house turns out to look exactly like Zoey's doll house. So Zoey runs inside, followed by her mother - and the pair are hired to play the part of Sam's wife and daughter.
And then there's Javier, whom Zoey is soon convinced is the angel she was hoping for. And, in a nice bit of scripting, his influence is rather subtle and his true nature is left somewhat to the imagination of the viewer.
Again, you can pretty much figure out what's going to happen - even when the missing husband-father turns up. But getting to the foregone conclusion is plenty of fun.
Downey, who also serves as executive producer, brings her usual charm to the screen - although her accent slips a bit from time to time. McCormack is fine, and Elizondo nicely underplays his role.
(Oddly enough, it's a role reminiscent of the concierge he played in "Pretty Woman.")
Young Fruitman turns in a performance that keeps "Borrowed Hearts" from becoming simply saccharine. She's a natural and manages to come off as a real child as opposed to a sitcom kid.
There are some genuinely funny moments in "Borrowed Hearts," and you may even shed a tear or two during the warm and fuzzy parts - if you're prone to that sort of thing.
"Borrowed Hearts" is a very pleasant little fairy tale in which people end up doing the right thing and love conquers all - nice message for any movie. And, just as important, this is a TV movie that's appropriate for all members of the family.
This is one of those feel-good movies that will actually leave you feeling good.