The Christmas Shoes (DVD)

Here's a holiday tearjerker that warms your heart and empties a tissue box in the same 100 minutes. Rob Lowe plays a workaholic attorney who misses his daughter's recital, while across town a boy scrapes together his savings to buy a pair of red dancing shoes for his dying mother. Their two families collide in ways you'll see coming and still not be ready for. Put the kettle on, gather the household, and keep a box of tissues within arm's reach.

The movie grew out of the famously sappy country song of the same name, and somehow it avoids feeling plastic. Lowe is usually cast as the glib charmer (a West Wing alum, no less), which makes his sincere turn here all the more surprising. Fans have turned it into a yearly ritual, and the listing's nearly 2,000 ratings average a cheerful 4.8 stars.

• Format — DVD, color, NTSC, 1.33:1 aspect ratio
• Runtime & Audio — 1 hour 40 minutes, DTS ES 6.1 surround sound
• Dimensions — 0.5 x 5.5 x 7.47 inches (1.27 x 13.97 x 18.97 cm)
• Weight — 2.72 oz (0.17 lbs / 0.08 kg)
• Rating & Release — Unrated, one disc, released by Gaiam on November 7, 2006