The Christmas Card

This one, although still having the cliche and standard Christmas themes, is the best and most creative of them all. It should be the standard for made for TV Christmas love stories.

I loved everything about this movie. I do wish that the ending had been drawn out just a bit more. Perhaps a sequel. Cody had been through so much and thought all was lost. He deserved just a minute more to bask in the moment. I was not familiar with John Newton or Alice Evans prior to this movie but I will watch for their work in the future. I am hooked. They are captivating. Excellent cast. Wonderful story of hope and how the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact on our lives. The military theme was so well timed. The movie location was breathtaking. Thanks Hallmark for wonderful inspiring movies such as this one. I will look forward to the movie being released on DVD.

Lord knows I'm a sucker for Christmas time and Christmas movies. Each year, I cannot wait until after Thanksgiving so I can begin the ritual of watching Hallmark each night. This movie warms my heart like no other one has. From the scenery at the log cabin, to the Spellman mill, a sleigh ride on a winters night and the singing in the church...it just doesn't get much better than this. This movie made me remember all the happy memories I had when my dad was alive...he loved Christmas and the snow, he couldn't wait to light a fire and relax while listening to Johnny Mathis music. I've watched this movie a dozen times and it never ever gets old...I love it so much so that I ordered it from Walmart and just watched it again on a cold winters day while waiting for a few inches of snow to arrive later on! My only wish is that the producers would have allowed us to see the family together that day eating Christmas dinner, sitting in front of the fire sipping hot chocolate with the Christmas carols in the background...I think they ended the movie without really wrapping it up for US, the viewers. They could have even made a sequel as I'm sure so many people would have loved. I think the actors cast in this movie were spot on... I loved each and every one, especially Ed Asner:) It's not very often a movie this good comes along, I'm so thankful for this one!

This plays out like a good drama . I was so engrossed in the story, I kept forgetting it was a Hallmark movie - that's how good it is ! The 2 main leads Alice Evans(Faith) & John Newton (Sgt Cody Cullen, the strong silent type) do a good job, as does the team of supporting actors, especially Peter Jason as Faith's Uncle. However, the tour-de-force belongs to Ed Asner who plays Faith's Dad, Luke. He's so good, so believable and has loads of good lines to deliver. The story itself is best left to others to describe, but it just conveys a love for Family , honour and tradition that tugs at the heart. It's a feel-good film - way better than you were expecting, I'll bet !

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime primarily the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark for curiosity sake. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. Saw 'The Christmas Card' because of my love of the holiday, because the premise sounded lovely and Edward Asner is always worthwhile.

Just like he is here. 'The Christmas Card' though does have many great things besides him. While it may not be a great film or a perfect one, of the festive films seen recently 'The Christmas Card' is one of the best and definitely in the former category of well meaning, charming, warm hearted and not feeling too heavy. If asked whether it is worth watching, my answer would definitely be yes without a shadow of a doubt without being completely esctatic about it.

'The Christmas Card' could have been better though. Ben Weber for my tastes is too wooden.

It also starts off on the slow side.

Once 'The Christmas Card' gets going though, it is a lovely film through and through. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are beautiful to look at. The music has presence but is not too loud or constant, melodramatic excess is definitely not a problem here. The direction is skillful enough while suitably understated. The script is very well meaning and doesn't take itself too seriously or get too treacly, while never treating things as a joke.

Story is heart-warming and moving, with more depth and seriousness than the usual Christmas-centric film. Without being too sentimentalised or heavy. The characters are worth caring about and the chemistry between them is natural. Lois Nettleton gives a sincere performance and Alice Evans and John Newton charm in their roles. Best of all is Asner, who plays his role with a heartfelt twinkle.

Lovely film all in all. 8/10.