''Christmas at Maxwell's'' is a 2006

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written and directed by William C. Laufer, and starring Andrew May and Jacqueline 'Jack' Hourigan.

Plot

Suzie Austin (

Jack Hourigan Jack Hourigan (born August 14, 1968, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada) is a playwright, actress, and co-host of the show ''How to Boil Water'' on the Food Network with Tyler Florence. Prior to that experience, she was an original cast member of Secon ...

) has cancer and her most recent prognosis is unfavorable. Fearing that this may be their last Christmas together, husband Andrew Austin (Andrew May) takes Suzie and their two children, Chris (Charlie May) and Mary (Julia May) to the family's summer home on

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to celebrate the holiday. There they meet Gus (Angus May). Andrew comes to terms with his past as the family deals with his wife's failing health.

Background

The film is based upon Laufer's real-life experiences and was shot on locations in

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. Laufer's daughter, Tiffany Laufer, an

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Alumna, served as cinematographer and co-producer. An advance screening was held on November 28, 2006, with all ticket proceeds going to the

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. The film had its official theatrical release on December 1, 2006, and its television debut on Christmas Day.

Partial cast

* Andrew May as Andrew Austin *

as Suzie Austin * Helen Welch as Rachel Henderson * Rick Montgomery Jr. as Dr. Callahan * Tracie Field as Tootsie * Robert Hawkes as Col. Pickerling * Angus May as Uncle Gus * Charlie May as Chris Austin * Julia May as Mary Austin * William C. Laufer as Fr. Johnston

Reception

Belinda Elliott of

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wrote that even with its low budget, the film was "beautifully photographed with rich warming images of Christmas", but cautioned that themes of illness and death might be too heavy for young children. She summarized that the film was a "heartwarming holiday tale that lovingly illustrates the power of faith and the fact that miracles can and do still happen." ''East Valley Living'' reports that the film had received an award from the

Dove Foundation The Dove Foundation is an American non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon, that issues film reviews, ratings and endorsements of movies that it considers suitable for family audiences, and that bases said reviews on Christian values. De ...

. In 2010

Trinity Broadcasting Network The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is an international Christian-based broadcast television network and the world's largest religious television network. TBN was headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, until March 3, 2017, when it sold its ...

(TBN) picked up the movie for a worldwide TV release.

References

External links

*
Christmas At Maxwells
at

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