A Joyous Christmas

The one thing I didn't like about the movie was Joy. She had NO joy, was sour-faced throughout the whole movie. She never smiled!

Yes, she had sadness in her past, but when a miracle happened in her life, she had the same expression. She did not believe that you must love yourself before you are able to give love to others. Not a selfish "Me Only" kind of love of oneself, but an acceptance.

She was always giving her time and energies to others because she carried so much guilt. Yet there was no progression in her character at all. It could have been a better movie with different casting or different directing, not sure which was the problem.

I truly enjoyed this movie the first time I watched it, even though I figured out Joy's secret. I don't want to leave a spoiler on this review, so as not to ruin it for others. How I'm watching it for the third time and am bored. Probably because I know the secrets, plot twists and outcome. I do recommend this movie if you haven't seen it, but for myself, it's not one I care to watch every season.

I absolutely loved this movie. Natalie Knepp plays Rachel Kennedy a motivational speaker who returns to her home of Fall Oaks, Massachusetts for an event near Christmas. The bad guy manager was played very well by Steve Bacic. The good guy producer Jack is played by Michael Rady. He starred in Christmas in Homestead (2016) which I have not seen, but probably will after seeing him here. The scene where Rachel and Jack first meet is great as he is asking her whether he should get the Santa or Snowman tie. The last main character is Joy who is the reason the movie is named a Joyous Christmas (very well done).

The movie to its success focuses on Rachel. Natalie Knepp seemed so familiar to me, but I haven't seen her in other roles. Seems like this is her biggest role and she was superb. I did see she was in Loving Leah 8 years ago as "the female guard" (very small part). I will go out of my way to see her again. This movie came close to getting a perfect 10 from me. The story has a little surprise between Jack and Joy, which was good. My criticism is the revealing could have been done better maybe involving Rachel a little more.

I am happy to watch it again. The scenes and dynamic between Rachel and Jack are good. We have some singing by Jack and piano playing by Joy.

This one rates somewhere in the middle of my list of Christmas films. It's not bad, it's just not got that wow factor either.

I was glad that Rachel had a moment at the beginning that changed her outlook on life, because the film would not have lasted in my house if she hadn't. It's great the way that Michael Rady (With those beautiful eyes) gets the best out of her and shows her the way, using Christmas spirit to help, which makes him very attractive in his role.

I did like the story arc involving the character of Joy and felt that I could really empathise with her. It was easy to feel her pain, even before we knew what it was.

I've also never understood how families can separate, even having experienced it myself. It should never be and I love that these Christmas films always right these wrongs. Everyone can be forgiven at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas.

It's a well put together film.

It is like a small, crooked tree. It has nothing special among Hallmark Christmas films but it is different. And you love it. For many reasons, many out of words, few very simple. First, for the rehabilitation of Christmas as a happy , in profound sense , of family, in many aspects. Second- for the beautiful acting of Bonnie Bedelia. Three- for the fine job of Michael Rady. Not the last - for the nice perspective about motivational literature. It is real different and you feel that. Not better, not special, not great or out of the too familiar recipe. But a seductive crooked tree. And it is enough to see it not only once .