My Christmas Guide

Last year, director Max McGuire and writer Keith Hemstreet teamed up for the excellent movie "Noel Next Door". This year, they work their magic again with this film, another story featuring a man (Trevor) in crisis, who is assisted by a sympathetic woman (Peyton), an unusual plot theme for a Hallmark Christmas story that was also the main theme of "Noel Next Door". I don't know if the guide dog training aspects here are accurate, but they sure are interesting. But, more importantly, the movie also delves into the emotional aspects that a person suffers after a life altering physical change. The writing is smart and realistic, delivered by two performers who are very engaging. Ben Mehl and Amber Marshall are quite wonderful, playing their roles with intelligence and sincerity. And young Ava Weiss is very good as Trevor's daughter, who refuses to let her father's crisis bring him down. McGuire's direction is top notch and the music by Russ Howard III and Erik Schroder is notably different, but quite good, from the usual Hallmark scores.

Whether it's Christmas or not, this story stands on its own as an interesting and enjoyable study of human interactions and emotions, played with natural charm by a really good cast and written and directed with warmth and skill. Well done all.

This year Hallmark introduced a bunch of new movies and characters, but I had trouble connecting. I am missing Danica McKellar, Candece Cameron, and others and for the most part I am missing true romance. "My Christmas Guide" opening was just normal, nothing special or different than any other Hallmark movie. Dialogues quickly become more catching, acting more real... it was magic, I was in!!! Yes, it is one line story, nothing exaggerated, all given in the right amount: acting, dialogues, places, scenes still a masterpiece (for this year at least..). Beautiful movie, (got a couple of tears at the end...)

Lovely story, very touching and the acting was great by all 3 actors - amber, Ben and girl who plays the daughter.

Story is realistic too sbout the blind and the issues faced and the need for guide dogs Amber js great actor even at a young age in her role as Elizabeth who got kidnapped and love her in Heartlanf and nice to see her in a movie instead of Heartland where she is also great with animals

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie and na watched it twice.

Ben was a great actor too, hardly saw his other movies One of the few hallmark movies worth watching As some of the others are so painful to watch in 2023.

It was so fantastic seeing Amber in a Hallmark movie. I am a huge fan of hers and Heartland is my favorite show ever. She is so real, so kind, and just lovely, and did a terrific job in this movie. What a great role for Amber who is a huge animal lover. I also loved seeing Ben and Ava who also did a terrific job. Great movie highlighting Max and the major role he plays in helping people to navigate the many obstacles in their lives. I liked that you also highlighted abuse that people often face with seeing impairments. So sad but it was handled well. I'd love to see Amber in more Hallmark movies. She's a joy to watch.

Ben Mehl as Trevor plays a visually impaired father to Ava Weiss (Annie). They are wonderful together and very believable as father and daughter.

Ava is quite charming in her role and the father daughter bond feels real.

Since Ben Mehl is visually impaired in real life, he's obviously acquainted with many, if not all, of the issues brought up in the movie. The sincerity of the characters helped me really identify with the topic of dealing with a perceived limitation and how people can react negatively or positively.

I wanted to watch a movie with a dog (Max). I soon became so engaged in the movie that really didn't think about Max's part being somewhat on the dow low. He is adorable and seemed well suited to the movie. For this review I did try to find out about Max but couldn't find anything. I was curious if he's really a guide dog.

Amber Marshall (Peyton - guide dog trainer and love interest) is an animal lover in real life and it shows on screen.

Definitely a great family movie that would also be good backdrop for having healthy discussions about issues covered by movie. Especially bullying at school.