Angel of Christmas

Hallmark ends its first batch of Christmas romantic comedies for 2015 with this highly watchable effort. Jennifer Finnigan writes a story about her family's heirloom wooden angel. In talking to her relatives about legends that have accumulated around it, she comes to understand and accept the nature of faith and, this being a Hallmark TV movie, falls in love with laid-back artist Jonathan Scarfe.

Although the story is nicely handled with a pleasant bit of whimsy -- is the angel actually doing something or is it all coincidence? -- there are a couple of technical aspects that might have been better handled. Conversations between Ms. Finnigan and Mr. Scarfe are shot in a lot of short clips, when a slower cutting speed might have helped; and there is a lot of obvious and poorly executed dialogue looping during the tree-buying scene.

However, the loveliness of the story and the fine performances by the leads render those two complaints minor. This is the best of the batch of Hallmark Christmas romcoms and worth seeing on its own account.

I'm not a big fan of Hallmark pseudo-Christmas movies as they tend to be little more than sophomoric romances that just happen to be around Christmas time. This one is different. It is more adult in it's treatment of relationships, well acted for the most part and there is both mystery and Christmas magic in this film. The him turning the lead around. Character of the artist is well played and you really do root for.

Highly recommend watching this movie. The mystery behind the carved angel in the story exceeded my expectations. The summary indicated that the angel was a rather dull thing. The wooden angel linked events that occurred in 1926 with the current characters and that story was slowly revealed during the movie. Well done! The cast was great. I saw Jonathan Scarfe in "Love on the Air (2015)" and that is what got me to watch this one. Glad I did. He played a similar role here. First time I've seen Jennifer Finnigan and I enjoyed it. Wanda Cannon (Val Stanton on Heartland) played the mom and this was about the best role I've seen her in. She was very effective. This movie was a delight to watch. Not sure if I'll watch it again because I now know the 1926 story. Not quite a perfect 10 because of a few issues in revealing the 1926 story. Loved it though.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY Christmas MOVIES AS I CAN.

In this movie a woman's life changes in unexpected ways when, in the process of writing a newspaper article about her family's heirloom Christmas ornament, she meets an enthusiastic artist. The heirloom seems to bring people together. Our protagonist is someone who isn't looking for love but is not against it either.

The film is one of those you should watch on a cold December Night. It is a very romantic but predictable.

This film however is better than the average Hallmark movie. It has some very pretty settings and a story that will spark something even in the most cynical viewer.

During the holiday season tons of Christmas movies come out. They are purposely made to be feel good movies They are great to have on while you are putting decorations up - making cookies or anything to assist with that magical time of year. Which is a great thing especially that time of year. However you can only watch X amount of very expected guidelines with predictable repetitive story endings. Sometimes regardless of it being the holidays you want some substance. This offers just that. It is a great storyline that you really have to follow. Don't get me wrong it is still a feel good movie but part of that feel good you get is from when you walk away thinking wow!!! - That really was a great well thought nurtured storyline with an interesting story told!!! That is just my opinion - I say well worth watching & deciding yourself!!!