Un cadeau sur mesure pour Noël

We have been flooded with tv Christmas movies since the beginning of October. Most I would switch off after 5-10 minutes but this one was different. The storyline was nothing out of the ordinary but Meredith Hagner's sparkling performance as the hired Christmas shopper stood out and lifted the entire movie to a higher level. She has that touch of magic possessed by the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and Emily Blunt.

I feel like most Christmas movies are so cheesy and the acting is mediocre. This movie was so different..... the acting is amazing! It almost seems like they weren't going off a script and seemed more real!

I was almost 15 minutes into this movie and gave it an 8 before the 15 minute mark because Gwen's character was such a breath of fresh air!! She was funny, happy, stylish, pretty, honest but kind, smart and so very sweet!!! She was one of the BEST Christmas movie main characters I have ever watched!! I highly reccomend!!

Throughout my whole Christmas film completest quest undertaken since late 2019, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmark's and Lifetime's output in particular. There was however always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level.

A distinction that does not belong to 'A Gift Wrapped Christmas' in any way. It is not quite a Christmas classic, but out of the films seen between then and now (which have been very hit and miss) 'A Gift Wrapped Christmas' is easily among the best faring and quite a pleasant surprise for a premise that could have gone either way. With almost everything done remarkably well and only a couple of things done imperfectly which was not unexpected in a way.

Other than the expected predictability, 'A Gift Wrapped Christmas' weak link is the ending. Rather abrupt and hasty, and yet another ending to feel too neat.

However, the film looks great. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Most of the soundtrack is nostalgic and appealing to listen to, capturing the festive spirit well. Have seen a lot of over-scored Christmas films, but that's not as much the case here.

Script just about avoids being corny and saccharine, with it never coming over as awkward, and the story is mostly very engaging, easy to be uplifted by and heart-warming. Not to mention quite poignant. Did like the characters too and they came over as more real than characters for most recently seen Christmas films (for instance Hallmark has an annoying tendency to exaggerate character flaws).

Gwen in fact was quite refreshing, easy to root for from the start and that and her positive role model-like quality stayed. It helps too that she is played perfectly by Meredith Hagner, who has a lot of positive energy and also nuance when needed while not making Gwen too perfect. All the acting is very good and so is the chemistry. Relationships develop at a realistic rate and not given short shrift.

In conclusion, very well done. 8/10.

28 December 2016. It's not often that one really experiences the truly appealing, captivating, and probably too perfect to be true Christmas character, but A Gift Wrapped Christmas offers up one adorable gift in the form of Meredith Hagner as Gwen, a Meg Ryan-like super personality that shines. In the true entertaining tradition of holiday movies, this one is all about the happy female Christmas spirit charming the sad, dour, and back to business male executive with young son who often ignored.

The storyline is simple to the point of mind-less, meaning while the movie has a message, it's a singular sensation. It is a sense of enjoying life without having to overthink it and bask instead in the creative flourish, risk-taking, and colorful and tasty zest for life along with being sensitive and really aware of the human beings around you. The pass it forward philosophy and force is strong in Jedi Gwen.

The humor is light and sprinkled with good cheer but never outrageously so. The conflict, mildly depressing, but not long lasting, leading to the conclusion that facing up to the unknown and possible pain, is certainly worth the risk in the long run. Hoping your wish for the Gwen experience comes true for you too.