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Angela's Christmas Wish

Angela's Christmas Wish 2020

Directed by

Damien O'Connor

Damien O'Connor

Made by

Netflix

Netflix

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Angela's Christmas Wish Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Angela's Christmas Wish (2020). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


In Limerick, 1913, young Angela experiences a bittersweet farewell as she watches her father depart for Australia, just before she has the chance to share a song with him that’s been weighing on her heart.

Fast forward two years to Christmas Eve, where Angela shares her heartfelt wish with Baby Jesus, dreaming of receiving a doll from the toy shop. However, the daily demands imposed by her mother, Ruth Negga, keep that wish at bay. As the children gather around, Mother regales them with a tale of a King and a Pauper who receive wishes from a Genie, yet the Pauper’s wish remains shrouded in mystery, merely spoken as “I wish, I wish, I wish…”.

In a moment of introspection while tidying up, Angela begins to ponder her mother’s strict demeanor over the years. Her brother, Moe Dunford, sheds light on the matter, explaining that their mother deeply misses their father. Inspired by this revelation, Angela devises multiple plans to reunite their family, starting with the innocent endeavor of digging holes in search of a path to bring their father back.

With enthusiastic exuberance, Angela teams up with her brother, Pat, to dig in both their backyard and that of a neighbor, only to come up short. Their quest for knowledge leads them to a local library where they miscalculate the distance, convinced that Australia is merely a train ride away from Ireland.

Their adventure takes a turn when they encounter Pat Kinevane, known locally as Mr. McGinty, who shares his dilemma: his cow is about to give birth, but he lacks the funds for a vet. Eager to help, Angela attempts to earn the money in a bar, but her efforts go unnoticed. Then, in a serendipitous moment, Pat steps into the bar, and together they sing the very song Angela had longed to perform for their father; their sweet harmonies unexpectedly draw in a crowd and earn them generous donations.

Angela then seeks to assist at the vet’s house, where she meets a kind girl named Dorothy, who offers her insights. Unfortunately, when their father explains the impossibility of taking a train to Australia, the siblings find themselves at a crossroads. Undeterred, Dorothy lends her support, and they make their way to the ship dock, hoping to set sail for Australia.

In a nail-biting close call, they narrowly evade a dock worker’s vigilance. Although Angela manages to reach a waiting ship, it departs before she can board. Disheartened, she returns home and shares her ordeal with her mother, who comforts her by revealing that the Pauper wished for happiness from his heart. This spurs the family into a poignant moment of sharing their wishes.

In an extraordinary twist of fate, as Angela stands with a cherished picture of her father close to her heart, her wish materializes before her very eyes—her father comes home! Overwhelmed with joy, Angela can hardly contain her excitement, believing her heartfelt wish has brought him back.

In the days that follow, Angela proves herself by saving Mr. McGinty’s cow and learns more about Australia from her father, all while the family begins to rebuild their lives together. As night falls, Angela receives a tender goodnight kiss from her father, bringing her day to a close as she drifts into peaceful slumber.

Angela's Christmas Wish Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Angela's Christmas Wish (2020) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Angela's Father Leaves

In Limerick, 1913, a young girl named Angela watches with a heavy heart as her father departs for Australia. She longs for the chance to sing a song to him before he leaves, feeling a deep sense of loss even before he is gone.

1913 Limerick, Ireland

Christmas Wish

Two years later, on Christmas Eve, Angela expresses her wish to Baby Jesus for a doll from the toy shop. However, her mother's strict adherence to house duties prevents this wish from coming true, leaving Angela disappointed.

Christmas Eve, two years later

The Story of the King and Pauper

While at home, Angela's mother shares a story with the children about a King and a Pauper who each receive a wish from a Genie. The story remains incomplete, leaving the Pauper's wish hanging in the air, merely stating, 'I wish, I wish, I wish...'.

Angela Questions Mother's Strictness

During a cleaning session, Angela and her brother Tom discuss their mother's strictness. Tom reveals that their mother is deeply affected by their father's absence, prompting Angela to invent clever plans to bring him back from Australia.

Failed Digging Attempts

Angela and her brother Pat initiate their first plan by digging holes in both their backyard and the neighbor's yard. Unfortunately, their attempts are futile, adding to the frustration of their mission to reunite with their father.

Misunderstanding Geography

Seeking more information, Angela and Pat head to the library where they mistakenly believe that Australia is very close to Ireland. This misguided belief leads them to think they could simply take a train to reach their father, showcasing their innocence.

Library

Meeting Mr. McGinty

Angela encounters Mr. McGinty, who shares his plight about his cow giving birth and needing money for a vet. Inspired to help, Angela takes up the challenge of earning money, demonstrating her empathy towards others in need.

Singing for Money

Desperate to earn money, Angela tries singing in a bar but initially goes unnoticed. Pat, seeing her struggle, joins in, and together they perform Angela's song, gaining enough attention to earn a considerable amount of money.

Bar

Conversation with the Vet

Angela visits the vet's house, where she meets a kind girl named Dorothy. The vet explains that traveling to Australia by train is impossible, leading to a difficult moment when Angela and Pat must part ways over this revelation.

Vet's House

Attempting to Sail to Australia

Angela and Pat attempt to reach a ship dock to sail to Australia, fervently trying to bring her father back home. In a tense moment, they narrowly escape detection by a dock worker, but Angela misses the ship and cannot board it.

Ship Dock

Returning Home

After their thwarted attempt at sailing, Angela returns home despondent and tells her mother of the day's events. Her mother reassures her by sharing the final wish of the pauper from the story, which focuses on finding happiness.

Angela's Heartfelt Wish

Feeling inspired, Angela takes a picture of her father and clutches it tightly to her heart. She starts wishing for her father in a moment of deep yearning, captured by the love and hope she feels in that moment.

Father's Surprise Return

To Angela's astonishment, just as she finishes her wish, her father magically returns home. Filled with shock and joy, Angela realizes that her heartfelt wish may have been answered in a way she never expected.

A Better Life Ahead

As time passes, Angela helps Mr. McGinty's cow recover, while learning more about Australia from her father. With the family reunited, they begin to live a more fulfilling and joyous life, embracing new possibilities.

Goodnight Kiss

After a long day, her father kisses Angela goodnight, embodying the warmth of family love. Angela drifts off to sleep, finally feeling content and surrounded by the love that was once lost.

Angela's Christmas Wish Characters

Explore all characters from Angela's Christmas Wish (2020). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Angela (voiced by unknown)

Angela is a spirited young girl whose unwavering hope and determination to bring her father home define her character. She embodies innocence and resilience, often coming up with imaginative plans to reunite her family. Her journey underscores the themes of love and perseverance, as she navigates the challenges of childhood with a big heart.

👧 Child 💖 Hopeful

Mother (Ruth Negga)

Angela's mother is a strict but loving figure who embodies the challenges of single parenthood. Her rigidity stems from her own grief and longing for her husband, which she tries to shield her children from. Despite her stern demeanor, her love for Angela and Pat is evident, showcasing the struggles and sacrifices made by parents for their children.

👩‍👧‍👦 Parent 😔 Grief

Pat (Brendan Mullins)

Pat is Angela's supportive brother, who joins her in her adventurous endeavors. He serves as a voice of reason amidst Angela's imaginative plans, often grounding her ideas with practicality. Their sibling bond highlights themes of teamwork and mutual support in pursuing dreams.

👦 Brother 🤝 Supportive

The Vet (Jared Harris)

The Vet is a knowledgeable figure who represents guidance and support for Angela during her quest. His insights about the impossibility of traveling to Australia bring a sense of realism to Angela's dreams. He plays a crucial role in connecting the children to the concept of responsibility as well.

👨‍⚕️ Mentor 🐾 Animal Care

Angela's Christmas Wish Settings

Learn where and when Angela's Christmas Wish (2020) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

1913

The movie is set in 1913, a period marked by significant social changes and a growing awareness of family values and aspirations. The world at this time was on the brink of World War I, influencing societal norms and expectations. It reflects the innocence of childhood amidst the complexities of adult responsibilities.

Location

Limerick, Australia

Limerick is a vibrant city in Ireland known for its rich history and picturesque landscapes. In the context of the movie, it serves as the primary setting where Angela dreams of reuniting her family. Australia represents the destination of Angela's father, a land far away filled with possibilities and adventures.

🗺️ Location 🎡 Adventure

Angela's Christmas Wish Themes

Discover the main themes in Angela's Christmas Wish (2020). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🎅

Family

The central theme of the movie revolves around the importance of family and the bonds that hold them together. Angela's determination to reunite with her father highlights the lengths a child will go to for love and connection. Despite the challenges and strictures imposed by her mother, Angela's aspirations embody the hope and loyalty inherent in familial relationships.

🎄

Christmas Spirit

Set during Christmas Eve, the film beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the holiday—hope, wishes, and the magic of coming together. Angela’s innocent desire for a doll transforms into a deeper wish for her father's return, illustrating that the true essence of Christmas lies in love and family rather than material gifts.

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Angela's Christmas Wish Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Angela's Christmas Wish (2020). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In the waning light of a 1910s Limerick winter, a modest household prepares for the holiday season under the weight of an absent patriarch. Angela is a bright‑eyed girl whose imagination is as vivid as the frosted streets outside, and whose heart is fixed on one simple, earnest wish: to bring her family together for Christmas. The city’s cobblestones and soot‑stained shop windows frame a world where the ordinary mingles with the promise of miracles, a place where the scent of pine and the hum of carols blend with the everyday chores of a working‑class home.

Ruth, the children’s mother, carries the quiet melancholy of a wife who has watched her husband set sail for distant Australia, a journey that feels both impossible and inevitable. Her stern demeanor hides a deep yearning, and her storytelling around the hearth—tales of kings, paupers, and genies—offers both comfort and a subtle invitation to hope. The family’s dynamic is a gentle dance of resilience, affection, and unspoken longing, each member quietly nurturing the belief that wishes might yet be granted.

Pat, Angela’s older brother, shares her restless spirit, matching her curiosity with his own brand of practical optimism. Together they turn the small corners of their town into realms of possibility, dreaming up schemes that blur the line between childlike wonder and earnest purpose. Their bond, laced with playful banter and shared secrets, underscores the film’s warm, whimsical tone, inviting the audience to linger in the glow of sibling camaraderie.

Through layered scenes of everyday life—quiet evenings by the fire, bustling market stalls, and whispered conversations beneath lantern light—the story folds a tapestry of hope, humor, and the quiet magic that can arise when a child’s wish is spoken with all her heart. The atmosphere remains tender and uplifting, promising that the journey toward togetherness, however uncertain, is as enchanting as the season itself.

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