Cher père Noël...

I am not admirer of Hallmark Christmas films. Sure, each is a hot chocolate, some cookies and a slice of cake -like. Or warm milk in frozen morning. In this case, the things are different. Sure, romance, the widow and her child, the charming stranger and the expected end. >But the humor, the performances, the idea itself are more than seductive, working in nice manner. A film about hope and letters and Santa in a manner special for the nuances. Isadora Swann and Marguerite Moreau chemistry, a Prince Charming who gives new sense to his status by Mike Faiola and, sure, literature as perfect cover. Short - a special film. Or a smart one.

With the glut of Hallmark Christmas cookie cutter plots, this one is a refreshing change of pace.

A writer becomes pen pals with a widowed mother, and they develop a connection. Of course, when he goes to her town without letting her know who he is, complications arise. I'm not a fan of the specific ending they chose, but it's bearable considering the great story preceding it.

The characters are warm, and there are plenty of chuckles. This isn't one we'd watch every year, but it certainly bears repeated viewings. :-)

Nice movie about a guy who answers letters to Santa. He meets a woman and her daughter and forms a relationship with them. The woman's "boyfriend" is, as usual, a pain, but eventually all works out. Cute and moving.

The story revolves around a girl of 8 who has lost her father, so writes to Santa about her concerns and the wish for her mother to smile again. Having handed the letter to the postman it finds its way to Santa Inc., run by two charming but eccentric older ladies. It just so happens that a young, successful writer is assisting Santa Inc. responding to children's wishes in an effort to rekindle his enthusiasm for writing after a bitter divorce. Being flooded with material wishes, he is touched by the letter expressing matters of the heart, so responds equally in a way to give hope. From here it opens the possibility to deal with loss and relationships in a lighthearted but sensitive way that engages the viewer in a clever little story.

You have to listen very carefully to what is being said. The writer has captured important emotions and spun them into interesting messages. Even those characters who may seem boorish, surprise you with simple home spun wisdom's. Having watched the film more than once, you can't help developing a warmth for all the characters, from young to old. The story is simple and straightforward, therefore method acting is not called for and all those appearing seem to be in the right place.

I think that when the 'end of shooting' party occurred they hadn't quite finished. After the effort of constructing a thoughtful story they rolled out of the party and scripted a slightly bizarre conclusion. The actors took it in good spirit, so it doesn't detract too much from your enjoyment.

Conclusion: 8.0 Xmas points, for a warm and enjoyable film with a small deduction for the lost opportunity at the end.

Okay, I am a chauvinist pig and proud of it. I was having a moment of weakness and watched this movie. Fearing the worst, my heart instantly melted watching the plot unfold.

It is about a divorced man who receives a letter from a girl and her mother. And one thing leads to another and they want to know if it is meant to be. All the characters are very likable and if you want to watch a family movie, with romance and good natured fun, give this a look. The acting was pretty good and the plot is something that everyone can enjoy.

I give it a 9 out of 10 and it will make you happy.