A Gift to Remember

Like every year in December, my quest begins to watch some of the Christmas films. Mostly the television films, and that too obviously the Hallmark films. As I have mentioned previous years, it's impossible to avoid such seasonal film, if you are a cinephile. I almost saw a dozen of films, they all were decent, but none of them quite impressed me, until this one. This is not like the best film of the season, but among those I've seen, it is that I really enjoyed.

Based on the novel of the same name. I don't know if the book was a Christmas themed, but this one was tuned to the festival occasion. From the television director who had done a film series recently. The actors I don't know, but I liked their good performances. One big drawback in all the Hallmark Christmas films is they are predictable. The films usually aimed for middle-aged to older women in the family. That's not me and I'm aware of that, so I compromise while rating and reviewing, that I always end up saying 50/50. This one rarely stood just above that mark, so here I'm with my feature review.

Darcy is a young woman who works in a prominent bookstore in the town. Very active and always just in time for everything. But on one occasion, she has been late for work, so while hurrying on the road with her bike, collides with a stranger. Now he's in the hospital with amnesia. Feeling guilty, Darcy decides to help him out to gain his memory. So her adventure to find his real identity, and while following events pushes them so close. But if he regains his memory, it might put her in a disappointing state. Because that's what truth always does.

-xX] Caring for others reveals the best versions of ourselves. [Xx-

This could be my last Christmas film of this year. And I'm quite happy I enjoyed it and the season ended on a high. The concept of amnesia worked so well for this film. Because of that, the suspense grew and held back until the finale. Obviously that end part was predictable, due to this is a family film and all the family films ends positive note. If you know that and set your mind accordingly, then you would also have a good time with it.

Well, the dog had a nice role. I anticipated more part for him, but a limited one. Usually all the Christmas films made for the television are cliched romance tale, especially the initiation. This was unique, well, better than the most. That best start carried out decently in the middle section. Nothing much fuss. With a bunch of wonderful characters and lines and shot in the nicest locations, the film had the upper hand throughout.

I hope it is as good as the original source. One of the reasons I liked it was not being entirely about Christmas. It sets in only on that backdrop. While the majority of the tale focused on romance. The memory loss brings the some fairy-tale perspective. Overall, it ended nicely. So this is the one I pick for this year and suggest a must see. That's only if you are seeking a Christmas film and also must be watched before the season ends for a better result. Finally, I must say this that I enjoyed it does not mean you too would do the same. Hundreds of Christmas films come out every year, so choose wisely. You might find a better than this that I haven't seen!

7/10

In a nice part of Philadelphia, Darcy (Ali Lieber) rides a bike everyday to her dream job, a book saleslady at Chaucer's private book store. When she returns home to her nice apartment a few blocks away, she reads the night away. Oh, she goes out on dates from time to time, but if the gentleman doesn't read, Darcy is not interested. As she is dressing up the store for the holidays, Darcy spies a cute man, name unknown (Peter Porte) and his sheepdog Bailey and likes what she sees. Yet, he doesn't come in the store so she can't meet him. Some days later, Darcy is running late and hops on her bike for the fastest commute she can mount. Horrors! She actually runs over "cute guy" and knocks him to the ground. He goes into a coma! The ambulance takes him to a nearby hospital and Darcy knows she has to take care of the pooch in the interim. This complicates things with her landlady but they work out an arrangement. Soon, the new patient awakes from coma land, but doesn't remember his name or why he is there. Darcy comes to visit and she and the medical staff try to find the missing pieces in his memory. But, two problems arise for Darcy. One, the man may have a fiancée, oh no. Two, her manager is leaving and the store is looking for a replacement. Does Darcy have the daring to apply for the job? What another fine gift from my favorite company on the planet: HALLMARK! What would rom-com lovers do without the endless string of funny love stories Hallmark bestows on its fans? I shudder to think. Lieber is cute and funny while Porte, the lookalike to Jim Caviezel, is already a great favorite of this viewer and the world. What fun to see Philadelphia in a good light and animal lovers will fall hard for Bailey, too. In short, tie a string on your finger and remember to look for this one.

One of the better films to come out of the Hallmark channel at Christmastime, A Gift to Remember follows the romance between Ali Liebert and Peter Porte, who have a very rocky start. While on her bicycle, Ali literally crashes into Peter, and he hits his head a little too hard on the pavement. He's hospitalized, but wakes up with no memory of who he is! Ali feels terribly responsible, so she visits him often to help him recuperate, and as they get to know each other, they fall in love.

In one scene, Ali searches his apartment for clues to inspire his memory, and she thinks it's incredibly strange that he has no Christmas decorations in any of this rooms. It's supposed to be this huge red flag, but only on Hallmark would it not even occur to her that he might not celebrate the holiday! "You're Jewish, bud," my mom said to the TV, hoping to help Peter and Ali along.

Humor aside, this is actually a really good movie, one that I plan to watch every year as it's re-aired on television. The leads have a very sweet chemistry together, and it's refreshing to see a romance that isn't peppered with bickering or surface flirtations. Ali puts her heart into her performance, and her dramatic acting makes all the difference in the world. She has some very pretty expressions, and she's an instantly likable heroine.

A little different from the usual Hallmark formula there is no store to save or silly misunderstanding before the end. It's fairly interesting to see a bookstore employee help a man with amnesia figure out who he is. The stars are likeable enough neither too perky or irritating.

While Hallmark Christmas films have varied in quality, as has been said more than once by me, they in my view are not to be immediately dismissed and swept under the carpet. Yes, many of them have a lot of flaws and the flaws are very common. But if watched with the right expectations and taken for what they are, some might find some pleasantly surprised by quite a number of them. Speaking as one of those people, who tries to appreciate all types of films etc of all genres and decades.

'A Gift for Christmas' may on the outside seem like another typical Hallmark film with lots of corn, over-sentimentality and overload of sugar as well as an excessively predictable and wafer thin story. Like a lot of them are, even the ones that are average and just above have these problems. 'A Gift for Christmas' however is one of those films, Hallmark or not, that is like a seemingly not so promising book to not be judged by its cover. While it's not perfect by any stretch, 'A Gift for Christmas' was a gift and among the better films Hallmark has ever done, well certainly of their festive output but to me it fares very favourably when it comes to putting their output into groups.

Sure there are not many surprises, then again that is not uncommon for Hallmark and other Hallmark films have done this far worse.

Did feel that the ending was wrapped up a little too hastily and neatly, though credit is due for tying things up.

However, so much works here. The production values are attractive, especially the quite lush scenery, with no signs of under-budget or being rushed. Intrusive and overbearing music is often a problem with Hallmark, for me it was not an issue here in 'A Gift for Christmas'. Plus it was authentically festive and had an affectionate nostalgic feel and sound. The direction is accomodating without going too far that it becomes dreary.

The writing can be too cheesy and mushy in Hallmark films, here the dialogue had playfulness without being juvenile, poignant sentiment without going too far and it flows naturally. Furthermore, the story is light-hearted and really warms the heart without going into over-saccharine territory. Despite being predictable, it never felt dull to me. The acting is good, with immensely engaging lead turns from Ali Liebert and Peter Porte. Their chemistry is very genuine and sweet and their relationship develops just about realistically.

Overall, very lovely and surprisingly good film. 8/10