Christmas Angel

Am not somebody who hates Christmas or has a bias against made for television Christmas films. The complete opposite on both counts and have made that clear more than once and will continue to do so if necessary. Evident from a number of positive reviews for the Christmas output of Hallmark and Lifetime. The premise for 'Christmas Angel' did sound quite interesting and seemed at times like it was trying to do something a little different.

Over the past two years or so, my Christmas film completest quest (made up for primarily those from Hallmark and Lifetime) has been very interesting but also hit and miss. Some were very charming, easy to digest and lovely watches with good casts. Others were very dull, cheesy, too sentimental and badly written and acted. 'Christmas Angel' is mostly in the former category, though it is far from perfect or quite my definition of a great film.

The not so good things are going to be started off with. Some of the music could have been toned down and been used more sparingly.

My biggest issue is KC Clyde, who comes over as too oily to be a romantic lover and has no real charm, also found the character too over the top in the negative characteristics and bland. It does affect his chemistry with Kari Hawker, which has little spark in a relationship that is very underdeveloped despite having moments where it is realistic.

Which is unfortunate as Hawker herself is actually very appealing in her role, which is much more interesting and easy to like. The acting in general in 'Christmas Angel' is above average. The dog is adorable. The best thing about it is Bruce Davison, who is wonderful and movingly understated as a character that resonates. Really liked his sincere chemistry with the other cast members.

'Christmas Angel' furthermore looks good. The scenery is truly attractive and photographed with a lot of love. The script is cohesive and doesn't come over as awkward, it also takes itself seriously without being dreary and the sentimentality doesn't become too much. The story is pretty conventional, but its endless charm, its good nature and warm heart more than more up for that. Same with the very honest and never preachy messaging, messaging that is also relevant and important.

Summing up, good if not great. 7/10.

A down and out young woman finds a new lease on life when she becomes a Secret Santa's head elf.

Right off the bat, I did not like the male lead. I did not like the character or the actor. His dishonest and harmful brand of journalism and snotty behavior towards the fact checker that called him out on it showed that he was not a good man. And he even looked like kind of a immature smart-aleck. Since part of the plot was his eventual rehabilitation, though, the character and the actor grew on me. I guess I'm used to the Hallmark heroes who are almost always knights in shining armor from the get go, even though they may be disguised by grief or hurt.

On the other hand Bruce Davison and Kari Hawker-Diaz more that made up for the initial weakness of the male lead. Oscar nominated and New York Film Critics and Golden Globe winning actor Bruce Davison needs no praise from me on his acting. These little TV movies are blessed that he isn't snobby about the roles he takes. Gee, I guess he just loves to act and wants to work. About a half-hour into the movie, I realized that Kari not only reminded me of Sandra Bullock, but sounded like her too. And her character took me back to sad, struggling, and lonely Lucy of While You Were Sleeping. So she already had a head-start with me on the likability scale.

The idea of the movie, that, a modest humble man who is a **spoiler alert*** secret millionaire,**end spoiler** roams the city looking for people who need a helping hand was a real winner. I loved the idea that he recruited "elves" to help him find worthy recipient of his bounty as well. Of course our hero, rightly and satisfyingly demoted due to his shoddy journalism, (in real life he probably would have gotten a raise) and trying to win back his former position, threatens to expose "Nick" and ruin his mission. Their were quite a few genuinely touching moments in this warm hearted movie as well as some humor. The romance took second stage and mostly served to provide our heroine with closure and the resolution of her challenges.

With so many Christmas movies on television at the moment sometimes a gem can be found among the dross. This film is one of the best seasonal movies of the past 10 years. It must be good because I can watch it again and again. It is perfectly cast with Kari Hawker and KC Clyde finding love in an unexpected way and Bruce Davison brilliant as the very wealthy cancer-ridden former property developer who regrets aspects of his past life and seeks to help those in real need at Christmas. The film lacks sentimentality which adds to its attraction.

This is a feel good movie where the female lead, Ashley, a regular woman who at the moment happens to be struggling a bit, gets the chance to become Secret Santa. Throw in some hardship in several backstories and a budding romance, and it is hard to miss.

Take away a star for K.C. Clyde, as Will. First off, his character needed some definite refitting. Add to it that it just didn't seem like Will and Ashley had that much chemistry. For me, the only indication that there was any connection for Ashley was the fact that Nick kept selling Will to her. He says something like "you know you love him", but that wasn't obvious at all other than the fact that she had no one else.

Still, Kari Hawker was a pleasure. I just saw her for the first time today in another movie which was so bad, it's amazing I was intrigued by this actress with a fairly small and unknown filmography. She played this part perfectly in my mind. She plays as a slightly insecure woman who really doesn't want any fame, yet she doesn't oversell the insecurities. She steps into the role Nick gives her reluctantly, but she applies herself completely, and rocks it. She's easy on the eyes, but isn't particularly seductive, and I mean that in a positive way.

The epilogue was a bit lackluster even though it was generally what you'd expect.

This has a bit of a Hallmark feel to it, but all the credits point to a non-American production. It would certainly play well on the Hallmark Channel and I would love to see Keri Hawker show up there in other things.

I have quite often taken the pee out of Bruce Davison for all of the crappy roles he has taken on, most of which I have felt are a bit typecast, but looking back at his career, I have to say that he is a work horse, never out of work since the 70's and in this film he gives a really good performance worthy of note.

It's another charming Christmas story about how doing good things can make you feel good, as well as making the world a better place. I have said before, having watched "A Christmas Carol" that I'm slightly concerned about the length of the chains I have forged in life and films like this one show that it doesn't have to be a big gesture for it to be worthwhile.

Intertwined with a budding romance, this film shows the true meaning of the season and there's a dog in it too!