Où la magie commence...

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime primarily the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark for curiosity sake. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. Saw 'The Christmas Card' because of my love of the holiday, because the premise sounded lovely and Edward Asner is always worthwhile.

Just like he is here. 'The Christmas Card' though does have many great things besides him. While it may not be a great film or a perfect one, of the festive films seen recently 'The Christmas Card' is one of the best and definitely in the former category of well meaning, charming, warm hearted and not feeling too heavy. If asked whether it is worth watching, my answer would definitely be yes without a shadow of a doubt without being completely esctatic about it.

'The Christmas Card' could have been better though. Ben Weber for my tastes is too wooden.

It also starts off on the slow side.

Once 'The Christmas Card' gets going though, it is a lovely film through and through. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are beautiful to look at. The music has presence but is not too loud or constant, melodramatic excess is definitely not a problem here. The direction is skillful enough while suitably understated. The script is very well meaning and doesn't take itself too seriously or get too treacly, while never treating things as a joke.

Story is heart-warming and moving, with more depth and seriousness than the usual Christmas-centric film. Without being too sentimentalised or heavy. The characters are worth caring about and the chemistry between them is natural. Lois Nettleton gives a sincere performance and Alice Evans and John Newton charm in their roles. Best of all is Asner, who plays his role with a heartfelt twinkle.

Lovely film all in all. 8/10.

Its basic virtue is the story. Wise crafted, seductive, moving, clear and correct in details. The second, obvious, Alice Evans, John Newton and the location. Not the last, it is a film about faith. And that is the main virtue for a real Christmas film. And, in same measure, it is a film about dilemmas. No doubts, dilemmas are good ingredient for Hallmark films but, in this case, the way to give solution represents the lovely good point. Short, just beautiful.

I loved everything about this movie. I do wish that the ending had been drawn out just a bit more. Perhaps a sequel. Cody had been through so much and thought all was lost. He deserved just a minute more to bask in the moment. I was not familiar with John Newton or Alice Evans prior to this movie but I will watch for their work in the future. I am hooked. They are captivating. Excellent cast. Wonderful story of hope and how the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact on our lives. The military theme was so well timed. The movie location was breathtaking. Thanks Hallmark for wonderful inspiring movies such as this one. I will look forward to the movie being released on DVD.

This one, although still having the cliche and standard Christmas themes, is the best and most creative of them all. It should be the standard for made for TV Christmas love stories.

If you are familiar with other Hallmark holiday romances, this one is different than most. Neither of the main characters has a bubbly, festive personality. This might be considered a more serious film. And there is a reason for that.

The main character is Cody Cullen (John Newton), an American soldier stationed in Afghanistan. Through a community outreach program, he receives a letter from a small town named Nevada City. When he is sent stateside to deliver the dog tags of a fallen soldier to the widow, he decides to travel to Nevada City.

Through a series of coincidences, he connects with a family that runs a lumber mill. The daughter is Faith (Alice Evans). She might be interested in him if she didn't already have a steady boyfriend.

One of the best aspects of this film is Ed Asner, who plays Faith's father with positivity and mirth.

The film hits all the right emotional buttons for many who watch the Hallmark offerings, with scenes that reinforce the values of hard work, patriotism, prayer, small-towns, the family dinner table, and nature's beauty.

An emotional pay-off comes at the end of the film, but the ending is too abrupt, as many other reviewers have written.