A Joyous Christmas

Throughout my whole Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas film completest quest undertaken namely late last year through to early this year, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmark's output. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. One could see that with most of Hallmark's output but not all.

'A Joyous Christmas' is neither one of the best or worst Hallmark Christmas films. It's another one that is firmly in the middle, with not a lot that is done wrong other than some major story issues but with little that is wow-worthy or extraordinary. 'A Joyous Christmas' is one of those type of films where everything is present and correct and with a lot done right, but also one of those type of films that could have done with more spark and with more joy. If asked whether it's recommended, my personal answer would be yes with a small y.

Will get the not so good out of the way. The story is pleasant enough, but there are times where it does try to include too much and some of it is underdeveloped and on the bland side. Some things happen too quickly and too conveniently, in a credibility straining way which does make for some convoluted parts. There is not much that is unique, with the film playing it too safe.

Rachel was neither interesting or endearing, with not enough character growth. Her indecisiveness is frustrating and Natalie Knepp didn't always seem at ease.

However, a lot is done well. Joy is much easier to empathise with and grows as a character. Bonnie Bedelia plays her very movingly. The best performance comes from Michael Rady, understated while never looking bored and very charming and very sympathetic. The chemistry between him and Bedelia is very genuine and not sugary sweet. The production values still manage to be pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Some of the music has some pleasant nostalgic moments.

Dialogue isn't stilted and doesn't go too heavy on the cheese or schmaltz. While the story was problematic, it was not a disaster by any stretch. Is light-hearted and really warms the heart without going into over-saccharine territory despite being familiar territory in tropes and thematically. Most of the characters are fine, apart from Rachel's indecisiveness.

On the whole, nice enough but didn't wow me. 6/10.

This certainly is a "Joyous Christmas" movie. The premise is not a new one but it's well executed and the acting, especially by Bonnie Bedelia and Michael Rady, is well above par. A young, self-obsessed, self-help author returns to her home town to promote her new book with a grand inspirational event at Christmas. She mends fences with her own family and discovers the true meaning of Christmas love with the help of the town and two locals in particular. Her ambitious Manager almost upsets the apple cart but the situation is caught in time. Natalie Knepp is a little weak as the leading lady but she is probably perfect for the type of person she is playing ... and we certainly see her grow and soften as she embraces the help she seeks and is offered to her. The only problem I had with the movie is that on several occasions, we have to suspend disbelief when things seem to magically happen in impossibly record time and that we rarely see her "working" on the event. Instead, she is Christmas shopping, volunteering at the Community Center, having fun with her new (and incredibly attractive) producer, entering a candy cane relay race and sampling the local fare at the Christmas Carnival etc etc etc ... She seems to save the Community Center Christmas party in a flash and when she and her producer arrive at her townhouse, after what seems to have been a full 24hr day, they notice that she has no Christmas decorations up so they drive off to get some! Before the night is over they seem to have decorated the entire yard, bought and decorated her Christmas tree and the whole living room. Now, maybe we are supposed to think a few days have gone by but the editing makes it a little confusing. Had I noticed if she'd changed her outfit, I might not have been so confused when she interviewed her producer-to-be the day after she helped him choose a tie and nearly got knocked down. The way it was edited, it seemed like only a few hours later to me. I think it's really enjoyable movie.

Although some reviewers didn't like her work in this movie, I thought Bonnie Bedelia did a convincing job depicting Joy, a broken, perpetually sad woman trying to help others. She was slow moving, slow talking, and withdrawn because that is in line with her sad and depressed character, especially when we learn why she's so sad. It's probably also worth pointing out that Bedelia was nominated for two Emmy awards and has been in countless TV shows and movies including the first 2 Die Hard movies (she was Holly McClane).

Michael Rady and Natalie Knepp were both fine. Rady has done good work at Hallmark (my favorite so far is Christmas in Homestead). Knepp, on the other hand, seems to be one and done at Hallmark. She apparently hasn't acted in much since. I liked her, but it's a tough business.

There are 2 big problems with A Joyous Christmas. One is the Big Reveal. It's not just implausible, it's insanely unlikely. It's like in Dumb and Dumber when Jim Carrey is told the chance of being with Lauren Holly is "one in a million" and he says "so you're telling me there's a chance?".

And he had way better odds than the odds of what is disclosed during this movie's Big Reveal.

The other big problem is the whole "Me First" self help phenomenon that somehow justifies a pricey big production "Event" in Rachel's hometown during Christmas. I've seen plenty of lectures and they're basically somebody standing on the stage in front of a lectern, or sitting on a couch or chair, talking for an hour. Occasionally, there's a multi media presentation projected on the screen behind the speaker. There's also, inevitably, a Teleprompter to help them out. There's not a whole lot of "production" involved, and there certainly wasn't any evidence of any special production with the "Me First" event despite all the scrambling around to "get ready". Basic Christmas decorations don't count.

And Rachel's brother, and his kids, would likely have been bored out of their minds.

Plus, a "Me First" "Christmas spectacular" makes about as much sense as a Fourth of July celebration in Russia. How can Rachel promote her "Me First" brand in the midst of a holiday season centered around the selflessness of Christmas? Why would anyone set that up? And why would a successful producer just happen to be in their small town ready to work?

And if Rachel is inevitably convinced to wrap herself up in the Christmas spirit, and give a speech that embraces the selflessness of Christmas, how does that promote her "Me First" brand? In fact, doesn't that just undermine her book's message? And thereby invalidate her entire career?

This one rates somewhere in the middle of my list of Christmas films. It's not bad, it's just not got that wow factor either.

I was glad that Rachel had a moment at the beginning that changed her outlook on life, because the film would not have lasted in my house if she hadn't. It's great the way that Michael Rady (With those beautiful eyes) gets the best out of her and shows her the way, using Christmas spirit to help, which makes him very attractive in his role.

I did like the story arc involving the character of Joy and felt that I could really empathise with her. It was easy to feel her pain, even before we knew what it was.

I've also never understood how families can separate, even having experienced it myself. It should never be and I love that these Christmas films always right these wrongs. Everyone can be forgiven at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas.

It's a well put together film.

It is like a small, crooked tree. It has nothing special among Hallmark Christmas films but it is different. And you love it. For many reasons, many out of words, few very simple. First, for the rehabilitation of Christmas as a happy , in profound sense , of family, in many aspects. Second- for the beautiful acting of Bonnie Bedelia. Three- for the fine job of Michael Rady. Not the last - for the nice perspective about motivational literature. It is real different and you feel that. Not better, not special, not great or out of the too familiar recipe. But a seductive crooked tree. And it is enough to see it not only once .