A Gift of Love - The Daniel Huffman Story (1999)

Sappy, but very sweet

This Hallmark film, apparently made for Showtime, is based on the true sacrifice of high school junior Daniel Huffman (Elden Henson) who donated a kidney to save the life of his beloved grandmother Shirlee Allison (Debbie Reynolds), even though it meant giving up his boyhood dream--now within reach--of playing on a winning high school football team.

This is a sappy movie, to be sure, such as one would expect from Hallmark. But it is also educational, and inspirational. My high school student especially loved it, maybe because it was a gift from his beloved grandmother, who fortunately does not need a kidney.
April 30, 2007

A well-acted adaption of a true story

Based on a true story, "Gift of Love" tells the story of a high school student, Daniel Huffman (played by Elden Henson), who looks to have a promising future in football. He is very close to his grandmother, Shirlee Allison (Debbie Reynolds), who helped to raise him.

Shirlee becomes quite ill, and is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Daniel selflessly gives her one of his, a choice that results in him never being able to play football again.

The movie was obviously made to "tug at the heart strings"; it's packed with saccharine, if you catch my drift. The acting, however, is top notch - with fantastic performances from Henson and Reynolds, especially. Ed Marinaro also stars as Daniel's coach. August 13, 2001

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