Lynn Brandt (Josie Bissett) escapes an abusive relationship taking her son Thomas Brandt and daughter. She applies for the Paper Angels Program with The Salvation Army. Thomas gets bullied at school when he tries out for the basketball team. Kevin Morrell (Matthew Settle) loses his biggest client and his wife is pregnant with twins. He become Thomas' basketball mentor. With pregnancy and money troubles hanging over them, his wife Jenny nevertheless convinces Kevin to pick two names from the Paper Angels.

I like this. It's a sincere Christian film with good messages. The bullying is a bit over the top but I do like Kevin's solution. I would have played into the premise and put out a tip jar. It would be a sarcastic middle finger to everyone. Thomas decides on something more Christian and more giving. I like it. It's 1000x better than my idea. It's very Christian but it doesn't hit the audience over the head with it. For the non-religious, I do have to warn you that they go to church. I don't think most people care. I do want better music. That matters a lot. All in all, these are good messages no matter your personal belief.

This is a more serious Christmas movie with good actors. The two intertwining stories are realistic and interesting. Matthew Settle of Gossip Girl plays a financially struggling business owner with twins on the way. Josie Bissett plays an abused wife who takes her kids to settle down in the same town where they face money troubles. She is quite good in less glamorous roles than usual. Her son faces some bullying. Liked the way he overcame his troubles. The stories intertwine cleverly. The message isn't too preachy it's about charity - the Paper Angels in the title.

A change from the more trite romantic Christmas movies out there. This one has a message and a watchable cast.

Thomas (Rustin Gresiuk) is a transplanted high schooler with difficult circumstances. His mother Lynn (Josie Bissett) left his abusive and alcoholic father days ago, taking Thomas and his younger sister with her, in secret. Now, they live in a dumpy apartment and are among the poorest kids at school. Yet, Thomas understands and wants to be part of forging a new life for his family. Meanwhile, a local businessman, Kevin (Matthew Settle), a devout Christian whose wife is expecting twins, has had some setbacks in his company. Clients have withdrawn in bad economic times and he's uncertain if he can gain new ones. Not only this, but one of the twins is having some difficulties, according to the doctor. Its no surprise when Matt's wife is put on bed rest. Sensing his increased stress level, the wife encourages Kevin to go back to coaching high school level basketball at the local teen charity organization. He does and he runs into Thomas, where they become friends. But, more heartache awaits Thomas. He is being bullied at school, even to crossing heads with another talented roundball player. Then, his hard working mother announces that her kids must make a Christmas list, as the only gifts they will receive are from a "paper Angel" tree, where those with the means help those more unfortunate. How humiliating for Thomas! This nice Christmas film looks like a romance on the cover but its not. The main star is Gresiuk, who shines as the truly "good kid" Thomas. Settle is fine as the stressed impending father while Bissett is good as the woman who struggles to restart her life. All of the rest of the players, sets, costumes, script and direction are above average, too. Best of all, Paper Angels is about bringing Christ-like spirit to Christmas and everyday living, too. We can all use an inspirational film like that!