A Child's Wish (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Tearjerker

[IndianaHighway · 1 August 2003]

This movie was beautiful. I remember the first time I saw this movie I was 12 and I cried so much. It's a great movie, but because it's so thematic, I really wouldn't recommend it for children.A young girl Cancer-battling her way through life shows how much you should value life in case you lose it completely.

Wonderful movie!

[aruznam · 10/10 · 2 January 2005]

I watched this movie twice and I cried throughout both times I watched. It's very touching and teaches you to appreciate life. All actors played their parts very well but Missy's and her dad's roles were especially remarkable. In some way it reminded me of "Forrest Gump" movie where forest lost his mom to cancer as well. I think Bill Clinton did a wonderful job appearing in this movie and I respect him for that. It would be even better if he appeared with his wife and daughter, Hillary and Chelsea. I disagree with one of the comments that it should not be shown to kids. I think children of all ages should learn from Missy's experience that life is not all fun and joy, but also struggle.

Predictable from the second minute

[GSchizas · 4/10 · 10 August 2000]

It could be a nice film, but it was too predictable. The script was shouting it was made for TV. It might be a true story, but at some points it seemed too much that a lot of events were put together just for the dramatical effect of them, and it came out too unrealistic. It was a good thing watching Anna Chlumsky in a more mature role, but I thought that role was tailor-made exactly for that purpose. It was also a surprize seeing the final guest star, playing himself, and in fact a reason for searching IMDb for this movie!

Tear Jerker

[zdickysmommy · 10/10 · 10 January 2007]

The movie was amazing .. John Ritter, RIP, did an AWESOME job in this movie. It is such a sad movie, and what makes it even more sad is that its a true story! The struggles that poor Missy went through are horrible, but she was lucky to have her family and her best friend and boyfriend stand by her side! I had to try really hard not to cry though this movie. My heart reached out to her and to her family. Her family struggled big time, not only emotionally but money wise because the dad lost his job! I almost cried when he got fired! But thanks to her and her family it helped pave the way to the FMLA which I have had to use! May God hold her and keep her in Heaven and May he bless her family thats left here on earth without her!

My Story is a Piggyback of this Movie

[MicheleBell336 · 10/10 · 3 October 2014]

If it wasn't for Melissa Weaver, I would not have been able to manage as a single mother after I was fired from my job in NYC. My son was also injured at a game and diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma. One year into Nickys treatment I spent my days writing to attorneys throughout NY,NJ and CT for help with the firing of my job. No one offered to discuss the termination. Someone told me to watch this movie, as I did, I kept reaching out to attorneys until we met a family on Nicky's Make a Wish cruise. We were followed by media and press for 4.5 years up until his passing. We met a family "The Feretti's" who welcomed us like we were their family. One night after dinner (we sat every night on the cruise together) Joe walked outside to ask me what happen to Nicky and why we were on the cruise. I spoke briefly about it the first night at dinner. I explained to him I was fired from my job after asking for 10 hours a week off. He then promised me when he returns to Florida, he will have his lawyer contact me. Within a week, his lawyer contacted me and flew to NYC for a meeting. The proceedings began immediately. In between we would fly to Florida and visit the family, they loved us very much as we were their. Time went by and we lost touch, I lost my phone and was so involved with Nicky, I could not locate them. My story could be Part Two of a Childs Wish. I am finishing my book on my story in hopes I can make a difference in someones life. May God Bless anyone who endures such pain and sadness.

Correct me if I'm wrong

[ciecie · 28 August 2005]

It was based on true story. The really events lead up to The Family And Medical Leave Act. I know the names of all but one of the characters were changed to protect their rights to privacy. Anyway, this law guarantees a person up to six weeks leave when a family member has a serious illness. By law the employer has to give it to the person. Now to what I saw thought of movie. I think John Ritter was wonderful in the role of Ed Chandler. When I saw the movie, I was very surprised to see President Clinton in it. I will have to look for it on video at my local library. I hope they run it on television again soon. Maybe Lifetime or Hallmark will have it. This is the kind of movie those two channels would show.

Great film, especially for children

[Faristuta · 10/10 · 26 November 2020]

I know this can sounds controversial. I'm 41 years old now but I'll review this film as the 10 year old self who loved this film. It was very sad but it helped me understand what cancer, illness and death were as I saw someone my age going through them. Previously I thought of cancer as this tragedy when you're always suffering in pain, unable to do anything else until you die. But it helped me to see Missy have many happy moments even though she had a terminal illness.

Another side note, besides the main point of the movie; I lived in a country with minimal political freedoms where you couldn't choose your leader. When I saw Bill Clinton appear in cameo and tell Missy "it is my pleasure to meet you" , I liked America even more, and now I'm an American citizen 31 years later.

Wishes come true

[kang_sc · 4 June 2000]

I have just watch this movie from the TV( of course,because it is made for TV).It first caught my notice when I flipped through the newspaper's TV guide.The main character was played by Anna Clumsky,who also starred in one of my favourite movie-My Girl.She has grown up so much in that movie,not the adorable ii-year -old in My Girl.The movie is about the struggle of a 16-year-old-girl against the cancer.It also showed her supportive family members and friends.I guess it is based on a true story and I was amazed to see President Clinton appeared inthe movie too in t he Oval Office.It changed my opinion of him after the Monica's incident and many nasty stuff about him.I came to realized that a person has his or her bad or good's sides.It's all based on how we judge a person by his or her action and remark.The father's role potrayed in this movie is also very touching and moving.It shows a father's love for his family and his ways to support it It is also very warm to notice that Missy,the main character's name has a supportive and loving boyfriend.He played by Karl David-Djerf is so youthful and charming.I could recommend this movie for whoever out there who is fighting for an illness and my advice is never give up and may your wishes come true.

Painful

[overfedcinemafan · 22 October 2005]

This movie is probably John Ritter's worst work. Ritter fans should look elsewhere, particularly at his fantastic performance in "Bad Santa." It's amazing to think the same actor took part in this movie.

The only saving grace is toward the end, when Bill "The Thrill" Clinton appears playing himself. The scene is shot in the oval office and is generally very well done. Wild Bill fans should simply fast-forward to the Oval Office scene and skip the rest of the movie entirely.

If you are not a tear-jerker fan, or are a Ritter fan, see if you can get your wife to change the channel because you cannot re-live the time you'll spend having to watch this film. Bill is the only positive note in this, and it's over an hour before he appears so I don't know if it's worth hanging around.