The film has more than one story in it, one story is about a man named Robert Layton and his deteriorating marriage, the other is about Robert’s heart-broken mother Helen and her friendly neighbor Dalton, but the main story is about Maggie Andrews and her sickness and how her family (her husband, Jack,and Nathan, their son) is trying to deal with it. All the stories are all linked in a way.
In the beginning Maggie talks about how she,”Had a pair of dancing shoes just like those because the story Nathan(Maggie’s son)’s teacher (Who is Dalton) was reading was about a girl who was paralyzed and could no longer dance but when she put on her dancing shoes she felt magical. Maggie goes on to say,”I know it sounds corny but, when I danced in those shoes it felt magical All though none of the other kids in the class showed Maggie’s enthusiasm in the story she did not care. Meanwhile, Robert promises to go and see his daughter, Lilly, perform in the concert her (and Nathan’s) school is holding which Maggie is conducting. However while the show is going on Robert gets caught up in his work and misses his daughters solo. This discourages his wife, Kate. They have an argument but drop it. Robert goes upstairs and apologizes to Lilly.
Now we go back to the Andrews’ story. Now you see Maggie has been having some chest problems and consulted a doctor. The doctor brings back the results and Maggie learns that she is suffering from heart failure and that she will probably die before New Year’s Day. Maggie tells Kate that she can no longer being the concert director. So Kate agrees to be the director. This causes controversy between Robert and Kate. He does not want her to be the director because he went through a lot to get her a job she did not want, but Kate insists on it because it is something that she likes to do. Nathan collects a bunch of cans to try and buy these beautiful shoes for his mother. Dalton helps a bit by putting a bunch of cans all around for Nathan to find.
In the meantime of all this, Robert’s mother Helen thinks about his childhood and writes to him. Also a few days later Helen is found dead, heart-broken by Dalton who came over because he noticed her lights were left on all night. Meanwhile When Nathan gets enough money he goes to the department store where he saw the shoes and buys them but at the counter the cashier tells him he does not have enough money. Robert being there and Christmas shopping sees this and helps Nathan buy the shoes. Nathan changed his life. Robert was now realizing that he should cherish the time he has with his family. He reconciles with Kate and joins their caroling. They carol in front of the Andrews’ house until they see the lights turn out indicating that Maggie has died. In the end the Laytons are a happy family, Nathan and Jack get along without Maggie and Nathan finally gets the puppy that he has been wanting since the beginning of the film. The scene then cuts to the cemetery where Robert is visiting his mother’s grave.This is 15 years after. He runs into a man who is wearing the same baseball cap Nathan was wearing. The man leaves saying he has to hit the books. After he leaves, Robert checks the grave the man was looking at which says “Maggie Elizabeth”. The shoes are also on the grave that Nathan bought her. Robert then realizes that the man was Nathan and calls for him but he has already left.
You want to see this moving film? Please go to this address :
http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XNDE0NTQxMDA=/v.swf
We can never have the chances of experience the feelings of the paralyzed ones. A pair of dancing shoes to them are just like water to the fish. The lovely pair of shoes link many families together.
Betweeen them, love is transferd. Although the paralyzed girl may never exist, love is really in the world. It is love that helps those who are in despair. If only love is still on the earth, you will never loose your way. So when you are appreciating the experience of wearing a new pair of NIKE shoes, watch around for these ones who are in need of your help. And the ones who have really got your love will pay in return. Love is a little matter, but love from each heart of us can make the vulnerable group live happily. Be always kind and sympathetic, and the world will give you love and warm in return.
If you love this movie, you can leave me messages on my Blog. Let’s share this lovely pair of Christmas Shoes together.
