MONDO EXTRAS

Anyhow, a spiritually awakened Rob Lowe -- and no, I am not exaggerating that description just for effect -- staggers outside and gets in his car. Which won't start. Ho, ho -- Jack Andrews totally did a crappy job fixing Rob Lowe's car. Fortunately, the kindly department store owner is there to offer this helpful observation: "Won't start again? Ever think of buying American?" Yes, commie -- have you? Rob Lowe wonders if the department store owner might be able to give him a lift to the town square where the choir will be singing, but the kindly gent isn't done saying peculiar things: "Almost a miracle, isn't it? Snowing on Christmas Eve." Yes, snowfall in the Northeast during late December is practically an unheard of phenome-- wait. What? ["Well, it is now. 'Thanks,' global warming." -- Sars] Anyhow, the kindly storekeeper doesn't need to take Rob Lowe to the town square -- turns out the choir's going to be singing at the Andrews place.

Boy, what this movie needs is the awesome wall of sound that is Newsong, played over shots of Nathan running in slow motion. Maestro?

Sir, I want to buy these shoes
For my mama, please
It's Christmas Eve, and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry, sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mama meets Jesus tonight

"Mom," Nathan says, after that stirring musical interlude. "I bought you these shoes. To wear in heaven." Somewhere, a Sunday School teacher did a very poor job explaining to young children exactly what carry-on items people take with them to the Happy Hunting Ground. Nevertheless, a positively beatific Maggie is suitably touched. While the Andrews are saying goodbye inside the house, outside Rob Lowe is trying to salvage his sinking ship of a marriage by showing up just in time to sing a halting version of "Silent Night" and have his praises sung by one of the farmers who just happens to be in attendance. "He's been burning the midnight oil, and that's hard," the farmer says. "But we'd be lost without him. Your husband has given us hope this Christmas." Perhaps, Mrs. Rob Lowe seems to be thinking, my husband isn't such an unrepentant dick after all. Anyhow, Rob Lowe professes his love for his wife! She can go back to school and get her teaching credential. Rob Lowe doesn't want to move to that big, expensive house after all. It's a happy ending for everyone! Except for Maggie, who died while all that was taking place.