Angels and Ornaments

Sergio Di Zio wonderfully underplays his role as Harold, the Christmas angel that has a no nonsense approach to true love. I am coming at this from a different perspective than most people who will watch this film because I have lost love to death, knowing that I will never again be with my wife during this life. Casual couples who take one another for granted may be caught up in in the same predicament as Corrine and Dave in the film if they refuse to put themselves out for love. At the center of the simple storyline is that Corrine's grandfather had to go off to war and never came back. He loved fully, but his relationship was cut short through no fault of his own. In what I think is the pivotal scene when angel Harold unbelievably asks Dave, "You're not willing to fight for her?" we see the pathos of true love and his all-consuming disappointment in casual love. I certainly felt it. I was with Harold all the way. Don't take love for granted, it's embedded in human beings and human beings are fragile creatures.

I absolutely loved the way it was done! Very powerful story of Christmas, love, and hope!!mi really would like to buy it ASAP! The actor that portrays H is amazing!! I cried more with his acting abilities than I have seen in a very long time! I highly recommend this movie not only to watch but a great addition to my home video collection! The whole plot is wonderful and you honestly feel like you are suffering right along with H. They are perfect together and he sees that and in the end they finally figure everything out after her ex tries to come back!! I love, love, love this movie!! Please inform us as to when it will be available for purchase!

My wife asked, "Why do you like this movie but don't like movies about Santa?" There are two classes of formulaic Christmas movies produced by Hallmark. One class succeeds most of the time, given a good script and good actors. The other doesn't. To be successful, it must be believable if we can suspend our prejudices. When it comes to angels, etc., we all want to believe they exist. Even an agnostic like me, wishes this to be true. On the other hand, when it comes to fantasy Christmas involving Santa, we all know it isn't believable so we just ride with it because, after all, it is fantasy. With Angels and Ornaments, we have a wonderful script and a mesmerizing Sergio Di Zio (H). Coupled with Jessalyn Gilsig…well, the magic works. This is on par with The Christmas Card, one of the best Christmas movies made in recent years.

2014 was a bit hit and miss when it came to Hallmark Christmas films, and perhaps even Hallmark in general. While there were good ones such as 'A Royal Christmas' and 'Christmas Under Wraps', there were also misfires like 'One Starry Christmas' and especially 'A Cookie Cutter Christmas'. There has never been any bias against Hallmark, far from it. Have actually been impressed by a good deal of their work, though a lot of it is average or less especially in the past few years even when judging them for as they are intended to be.

A very strong contender for the best of the 2014 Hallmark Christmas films is 'Angels and Ornaments'. Was not expecting a massive amount, and it delivers a lot better than expected. While not masterpiece level or perfect, there is a lot that works absolutely beautifully and it is very highly successful when taking the film for what it is. Not only is 'Angels and Ornaments' to me the best of Hallmark's 2014 Christmas films it is also perhaps among their best ever work, with it being one of their not many very good ones.

It's not a perfect film. Dave is a rather dull and one-dimensional character and Graham Abbey doesn't have an awful lot of spark playing too.

Did think too that the ending was too easily telegraphed and too tidy.

However, as said a lot of things work absolutely beautifully. 'Angels and Ornaments' pleases visually, lovely festive locations attractively and never drably or garishly shot. The music isn't as intrusive as it tends to be with Hallmark while the direction gets the job done well. The script doesn't get too cheesy or sentimental and does have a more natural flow when it becomes more settled. The story is not too heavy while taking itself seriously and is both warm-hearted and has a light touch when necessary.

On the whole as well it isn't too predictable, there are elements that are different than the usual Hallmark Christmas film and they are elements that feature a lot but not rammed down the throat. On the most part, the characters are worth caring about. Jessalyn Gilsig is a charming female lead but do agree about Sergio Di Zio giving the best performance and making the film. He did start off a little too intense at first, but softens quite quickly and brings understated sincerity to an entertaining and wise character without any signs of being on autopilot.

Concluding, very well done. 8/10.

This was a real "10" for a Christmastime movie. They may all arrive at the same predictable place in the end, but the journeys vary. This was a sweet journey. The plot was a bit intriguing and the casting was very well done, in my opinion. Of course, it may have gotten a little "soupy" in the end, but it's a Christmastime movie and I loved it. Probably my favorite for this season. I always make sure to check out every new Hallmark Christmas movie or Lifetime or where ever I find them. 2014's were, overall, pretty darn good. If you like the them, be sure to see this one. I actually watched it twice! Good story too! Christmas Under Wraps was good too.