Weihnachten mit Holly

I know these Xmas movies are not for everyone (mainly because most are so by-the-book and lamely acted), but this is one I can highly recommend. Highlights are the beautiful scenery (it takes place in Friday Harbor, WA so features nice island and water views) - an unusual, appealing story - not just one but THREE very handsome young men who are actually good actors - a very pretty and appealing young woman - real chemistry between the couple - one of the cutest kids ever in these Hallmark movies - and a lovely final scene with Christmas sailboats and a full moon.

Eloise Mumford is 26 in this 2012 movie and is great. She starred in Just in Time for Christmas (2015) which was a perfect movie. Love her telling the story here of the Fairy who lives in the doll house. One such moment made me tear up. Loved her happy Irish dancing. Sean Faris as the uncle turned dad is a familiar face and does an adequate job. I watched this about 4 years ago and this second time it seemed better. The high 7.0 rating probably comes from the nature of the story a little girl (Holly) loses her mother and as a result has stopped talking. The Christmas theme seems a bit forced in this story.

First off... best film with a basset hound. Loved Olive.

Secondly and more importantly. Great job Eloise! You seem to have great emotional screen presence! Hope you have a great future in film. Will be watching for you. Keep up the good work!

Sean Faris - are you a stunt double for Tom Cruise or what? You gotta lose the Tom Cruise look dude! You did a great job... but get a different look please. I think its mostly the hair-do in this flick that does you wrong.

Hallmark films are mostly corny to me... but that makes them fun as well. Not a bad movie for family time.

Three brothers are cast well and very believable in their interactions. Love the characters. Little girl is adorable & has wonderful facial expressions.

Really did like the premise for 'Christmas with Holly', no make that love. It sounded so moving and you know a film does something right when its premise immediately connects with you even before watching like it did with me. This premise connected with me personally, which is already something in its favour. Something that has not been the case for any film in a while. Well certainly not the case for a Hallmark film in a while, not since 'Once Upon a Christmas Miracle'.

'Christmas with Holly' wholly lived up to its premise and the high expectations had (actually did have higher expectations for it than most Hallmark Christmas films). While not a flawless film, it was very well done. Out of a fairly unimpressive year for Hallmark, 'Christmas with Holly' to me is definitely one of the best Hallmark Christmas films for that year. Also one of their best Christmas outings seen in quite some time, as well as one of their most emotional and personal.

Is it perfect? No. Perhaps a bit slow in the early stages, with it taking a while to get started.

Also didn't care for the ambiguous feeling the ending has, it just felt too abrupt and there may be a little bias as it is not the sort of ending that does much for me.

There is a huge amount to like about 'Christmas with Holly' however. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are simply beautiful. A lot of Hallmark's Christmas films suffer from being over-scored, meaning being too constantly used and too loud. That isn't so big a problem here. The script is a lot less cheesy and schmaltzy than most Hallmark Christmas films and did find it very sincere, very affecting and that it never sounded awkward. It is also not over-serious, with a light hearted-ness that was very appealing.

Furthermore, that the story departed from the usual Hallmark Christmas film formula and took on a more serious, a more personal and more true to life situation. There is nothing cheesy or over-sentimental in how this subject is handled either, it came over as truly poignant, heart-warming and well meaning and also with a good deal of warmth. Really did connect with the story emotionally. And the same with the characters. The acting is strong, with a heartfelt Eloise Mumford standing out.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.