The Story Lady

Don't let the statement "tv movie" fool you. While regularly, the tv movie genre holds to the connotation of cheesy hallmark specials; this one is not like that at all. It has a great plot that appeals to the whole family, and is in fact a wonderful Christmas movie. The story develops quite well and the characters become real with the circumstances. Recommend during the winter season.

I never heard of this movie until I watched it today. Why it isn't a classic is beyond me. Watch it with your children and bring the wonder and imagination of stories into their lives. The ending is wonderful as well especially the scene in the judge's chambers. I couldn't help but break out in laughter! Why there isn't an actual show like the one portrayed in this movie isn't on TV is also beyond me. I only hope some senior lady see's this and gets inspired. I once wrote a Christmas story for my niece's and this is a very good family movie, one that parents and children should watch together. Watch it, then go to the library and get some classic fairy tales to read to your kids instead of video games. They'll remember those times for all of their lives.

The moral of "The Story Lady" is something along the lines of the dangers associated with commercialization. Which makes it ironic, in a way, that the story arc of the film itself makes very nearly the same mistakes it warns against. The most powerful passages of this film revolve around the first scenes of Grace McQueen (Jessica Tandy) at the public access cable studio. Tandy has by far the superior acting capability to carry a film based solely on this premise. Somewhat unfortunately, then, does Robert Zeschin's script take a much more unnecessarily complex route.

But such are the dangers of low-ambition TV movies. Jessica Tandy is this film. She is the reason it exists, and why it is so much worth watching. Everything else (save for a wonderful performance from young Lisa Jakub) is par for the course. In spite of that, there's no reason not to like, even love "The Story Lady". Tandy creates a character of wondrous depth and reality. There's nothing remotely false or off about her performance. I very much encourage you to see this film.

A grandmother who cannot find anything worthwhile to do with her time, begins reading classic storybooks on Public Access Cable TV. When everyone starts watching her, the networks get interested....I just want people to know that this title is available on Amazon now. But they changed the title to, 'The Christmas Story Lady' - this is sad as many people will not find it. I guess they are looking for a new audience. But I am so happy that I finally have it on DVD. I had bought a VHS tape a few years ago and it was going bad. This is a really wonderful Christmas movie and I can't think of anyone who would not like it. Jessica Tandy is wonderful. Stephanie Zimbalist is wonderful. Lisa Jakub is wonderful. Fun, also, to see Jessica's real-life daughter, Tandy, playing her daughter in the movie.

I love this movie. It really touches my heart... especially the little note disclosed with the beautiful doll house that Grace sent Alex and Julie. Grace is telling Julie and us, the audience, that "family spirit," the virtue our parents' treasured, is very important.

This is a plain movie, talking about family love and children that we can get plenty of on TV. However, this is the value of the movie. There's no exciting plot, beautiful costumes or actions, only everyday life and the things that we sometimes forget to see or are blind to because of fame or money.

Alice Lin, National Changhua University of Education, TAIWAN