A Heavenly Christmas

Kristin Davis has a unique sweetness and charm so her presence together with her other A list (for Hallmark) co stars Eric Maccormack and the still limber looking Shirley Maclaine elevate this Hallmark Christmas movie to above average. There isn't the usual filmed in Canada look with pleasant looking but not too famous Canadian actors.

Kristin is a work obsessed executive who neglects family and love. After falling and hitting her head on a snowy pavement she becomes an angel and falls for a sad guy Eric Maccormack who lost his sister and cares for his niece. He runs a diner and used to be a singer - so he does get to display his singing voice a fair bit.

She only has a week but romance ensues. The little fix and the end is predictable but it's palatable.

Most hallmark movies are predictable but when you have a good cast it's just that much more watchable.

Want to see more of Kristin Davis on TV.

It may not be the greatest Christmas movie ever made but it is sweet. The Chicago Christmas scenes are pretty nice. Another review stated that Kristin Davis was too old for the part. Really??? Kristin is 51 and Eric McCormack is 53. Does that mean that people in their 50's or older can't fall in love? We are never too old to look at our lives and make changes! Yes, it is somewhat predictable but this one had a somewhat surprise ending. Hallmark movies are meant to be enjoyable and take you away from this crazy world for two hours. Christmas movies are fantasy! I for one was touched by A Heavenly Christmas and loved it. Who knew that Eric McCormack could sing? Not bad either! Enjoy the movie!!!

I wanted to see a movie that had a happy ending and made me feel christmasy inside and that is exactly what I got! I have enjoyed all of the actors in other films and t.v. shows. I thought Kristin Davis was solid as the workaholic turned Christmas Angel in training though I may have liked to see the workaholic side a little less sweet and cheerful. Eric McCormack was for me, for the first time, surprisingly crush-worthy and I thought the chemistry between the two was good. Who knew he could sing and play guitar?! The actress who plays his young niece is especially good! She is sweet but refreshingly real and a little goofy. Shirley MacLaine is really the cherry on top of this Christmas treat. Her "keepin' it real" style as the angel who trains the workaholic is great! It would be fun to see a sequel to this film that mostly follows her on her "training angels" job. The writer, Gregg McBride, did a beautiful job of weaving the story together with humor and kindness and, with a few call-back lines, makes us feel like we have a shared history with the characters. The film is sweet but not cloying. I thought the production values were great...especially outdoor scenes and scenes in the diner. If you want to watch a feel good Christmas movie, this should be your pick!

Throughout my whole Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas film completest quest undertaken from late 2019 and still ongoing, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmark's output. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. One could see that with most of Hallmark's output but not all.

'A Heavenly Christmas' as far as Hallmark's Christmas films go fares quite well and is definitely worth watching and remembering. It is not flawless or a classic, but have come overtime to not expect any of those things watching a Hallmark Christmas film and have always tried to not judge them too seriously. Have seen the two leads in other things and they have shown that they can be good with the right material, which they do have once 'A Heavenly Christmas' gets going.

It is a bit slow to begin with, the set up taking a little too long and some of the dialogue early on is on the ropey side.

Did feel as well that Kristin Davis overdid it at times when it seemed like she was trying too hard to act younger than she was.

However, so much is good. Davis on the whole gives a performance that is committed and deeply felt, even if it isn't flawless. Eric McCormack, proving that he can do drama as well as comedy, and Shirley MacLaine (as the most interesting character) are very good, McCormack is understated and charming and MacLaine is dignified and fun to watch. The characters were on the most part ones easy to get behind and carry the film well.

The production values still manage to be pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Some of the music has some pleasant nostalgic moments. The dialogue is not great to begin with but improves when the plot properly kicks in, not being too sweet and it flows at least. The story is sentimental but is also very sincere and moving, with nothing feeling contrived.

Summing up, good if not great. 7/10.

It's Christmas! Which means there will be an abundance of "mean person changes her ways" stories. In A Heavenly Christmas, two beloved television stars unite. . .and whatever romantic tension that was intended by the script fizzles miserably. Eric McCormack gives his all, and I dare any woman in the audience not to fall in love with him this holiday season, but chemistry can't happen with only one person's attempt. Kristin Davis either absolutely hated her costar (in which case, she should have implemented those acting lessons she desperately needed) or is just a terrible actress (hence being in need of acting lessons). For the life of me, I don't understand how any actress, when face to face with a lovelorn Eric McCormack, would be capable of such a lousy performance.

My criticisms of Kristin Davis aside (which, believe me is never-ending), I'll definitely watch this movie again next Christmas. McCormack gives a wonderful performance, and at Christmas, I'm always more forgiving about less-than-stellar movies. It's not the best one out there, but give it a try and take the good from it!

My favorite part of the movie (besides the eye candy) is Shirley MacLaine. Lately, she's been typecast as a "sassy, old broad" with gruff one-liners, but in this dual-role performance, she shows much more than a hard shell. In one of the roles, she's warm, friendly, and full of sunshine.