Eine Elfe zu Weihnachten

A really good Christmas film and a great performance from Summer Glau. There's a bit of an irony though that a film, specifically about Christmas and involving Santa and elves should leave Christmas out of the tile, in favour of "holidays".

I'm a little late with my review, but still ... To be honest, I watched the movie exclusively because of Summer Glau. Otherwise I'm really not in Christmas movies. So, I started watching the movie with no expectations but to see another good performance of gorgeous Summer Glau. But, who would have thought ... I actually liked a movie! A lot! Not only that Summer's performance was excellent, also other actors delivered very good performances and even the story was good. I actually liked Santa in this one. Sure, you can't expect deep psychological studies, elaborate relationships, social criticism from a Christmas movies. They're here to entertain, to cheer us up and this movie succeeded in each and every aspect. The story's nice, the actors good but what overwhelms the most is really Summer's outstanding performance. It's simply amazing, how she manages to capture the viewer with only a smile and makes even the worse dialogues good (not that there were any bad or stupid dialogues in this movie). I think that she's one of the most underused actresses in this business. It's really funny that she even manages to curb the ratings of the episodes where she has guest appearance. Eva LaRue was also excellent. i know her from CSI:Miami and this was something completely different but she managed it with flying colors. Well done Eva! The other actors were not quite so good (at least for my taste), but still far better than 90% of performances in other movies. Pity that we don't get a sequel this year. It would be nice to see how Christine and Dave managed to fit in into real life or if Vancamps managed to keep the Christmas spirit. Nice movie, meant to entertain and it managed it perfectly.

At last! Hallmark presented a GOOD, new Christmas movie!...so rare anymore! I watched this movie several times and enjoyed it each time...and look forward to watching it again.

I like that it really stays focused on Christmas in all aspects: all the scenes...apparel...and make-up ...has magic...Christmas décor...and has a delightful, optimistic plot...with talented players. And the plot flowed very nicely!

"Christine" is absolutely delightful and believable...and she is what made the movie so extra nice to watch!

Santa looked, acted, and dressed as we expect a "real" Santa to be. (unlike some other movies.)

The little boy played his part very well!...not annoying at all.

Only slight downer: "Dave" ("Sara's" brother) was a bit too forward, too pushy trying to woo "Christine"...since he only knew her briefly. His approach should not have been over-bearing, but left to the viewer's imagination instead.

But anyway, I think the way this movie is...a Christmas movie with magic... is the way they should be...

...while some other Hallmark "Christmas" movies make attempts to combine Christmas and magic, they fall very, very short (one ex: the overly-hyped "Northpole")...as they stray from the point...to the point of annoying and boring since they include unrelated inner plots...while others have very annoying characters and/or unfit untalented players....and basically, have a lousy plot.

I'll admit I'm normally not a person that watches anything from "Hallmark" mainly because there simply not my movies, however this film is probably the only exception I'll make for them.

It's not exactly one of my favorite Christmas films nor a classic in my book, but all the same I like it because it has a fun charm to it as well as surprisingly made me care and feel good, but of course has an actress I really like is in it which makes it even better.

I like the story, it's a typical fish out of water story but it's one of those ones done right; it's almost a bit similar to the story in the claymation special "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" since that was about a Christmas character coming into contemporary reality and giving cheer where needed.

I really love the character Christine whom of course is played by Summer Glau. I'll admit what drawn me to the film is her since I've seen and a fan of "Firefly" and "Serenity", she is just fraking hot and a capable/underrated actress to boot. I really love her performance in this film, I bought she was an elf. Her character has charisma, has just this infectious charm that could just win anyone even by just a mere smile which on a side note is a great one, she's selfless, energetic and cheerful.

Two of the things I really like are how disoriented she is with real world customs, which makes sense since she is an Elf from the North Pole; and it funny how she tries to fit in which of course doesn't entirely work, from the way she behaves and certain things she does the supporting characters know she's a little strange. But just simply the humanity of her character which makes her three dimensional, the fact that she wants more in her life, which is a normal human trait with anyone. And of course she experiences both the ups and even the downs, when things are really down for her, you can't help but feel for her but that all the more makes us want her to win.

Supporting characters are solid, Eva La Rue also hot and yeah watched a little of "CSI Miami" her character Sara VanCamp is a mom whom is unfortunately all business, she is plenty successful in her career but shamefully doesn't equal toward her family life. She not a bad person the problem is her head is in the wrong place. She does care about her family but she doesn't spend enough time with them even when she should. And of course that mistake soon catches up with her. Her character also has humanity once this begins, she starts to let Christine in a little realizing she isn't happy and needs some help.

Another supporting is Dave Gariel (John Brotherton), I like that he doesn't look like a typical pretty boy, but handsome all the same. He's got a sort of rough charm to him, has some charisma, like that he's likes Chrismas just as much as Christine which is one thing they have in common. I do like the chemistry between both of them, it's not the greatest romance I've ever seen but I take it over any crap fest romance comedy/soap anytime. But both have a solid back and forth, I bought the developing relationship between the two sparks were flying, but I love the fact that he accepts her for what she is, sure Christine seems a bit strange but in a good way let alone she's not boring.

The film of course does have good messages about the importance of putting family first and also how everyone does deserve happiness.

Overall it's a solid simple Christmas film that's worth a watch.

Rating: 3 stars

I was surprised when I saw Summer Glau in a Hallmark Christmas movie. I think of the kick-ass teenager in Serenity, or the robot protector in Sarah Conner Chronicles, but not a cheery elf in a Christmas story. But she makes a good one.

While the ultimate outcome is predictable, I was surprised at some of the journey along the way. For one thing there was none of the plot device where the kids terrorize the nanny. The story uses some Santa and elf magic, so don't expect realism.

I wasn't impressed with most of the acting, although it wasn't bad either. But Summer did a nice job developing her character from the essentially naïve alien in the real world into at least a little more natural participant in it. I wish I could say John Brotherton did as well, but I thought his performance was more in the middle. They really didn't have enough screen time to play off one another. Glau connected more with the kids, who each did a good job in their roles. For me, Glau was the heart of the movie.