Joy for Christmas

The bones of this story are very much like many other movies where the romantic leads are thrown together to save a family institution. But in this case, it's a charity they are trying to save and the reason for the problem is not the usual slow business but because the family was scammed out of the collected donations. And instead of working on a pageant or a festival or a ball, Holly is trying to inspire Jack's Christmas spirit. The dynamics are different than the usual.

What impressed me in this movie was how natural Cindy Busby and Sam Page were together. Their conversations sounded natural. They really enjoyed their time together.

The climax creating the conflict is interesting and kind of ticked me off. For one thing it didn't make sense why a third party did what he did. And then there is a bit of a twist even if it leads to the expected.

Wesley MacInnes (Wes Mack) plays and sings a few Christmas songs and he sounds great.

Five stars for Sam Page. Minus for Cindy Busby. Can't for the life of me figure out why she keeps being cast in these movies - in Hallmark, GAC, and Lifetime. She is a terrible actor ... always plays the same character in EVERY movie. No different in this one. Thankfully she left Heartland ... she ruined it too.

Pair Sam Page with an actor of the same quality. He's awesome.

Sam Page is such a good actor, but even he couldn't save this movie. I'm not sure why they paired such a serious actor, who is so good at heartfelt roles, with an actress who is so different from his style. I try to like her, but her reactions in scenes are always so overacted. She comes across as a bratty kid in and adult body. If she would bring it down a few notches, she would be more believable in her roles. This was a nice story idea, but the script was poorly written. The only good thing about the movie was Sam Page. Too bad they wasted his talent on this movie. He works better with more serious actors like Lacey Chabert.

The best part of the movie was her (Cindy Busby) showing him (Sam Page) how to have fun & enjoy Christmas.

But, as in most movies starring Cindy Busby, another actress could have done a better job. CB is always so perky, smiley & fake.

Loved the DOG!!! Cute dog with cute expressions & actions.

In real life, a former baseball player and an $elite$ family could have just bought gifts for the children themselves. 💁

GAC Family have literally just about been formed, but it's not faring too badly. Sure, there have been misfires, such as 'The Great Christmas Switch'. There have also been winners, primarily 'Much Ado About Christmas'. Despite not being a fan of Cindy Busby (at all), Sam Page has done a sizeable amount of above average and even good films and performances. The premise did sound quite cute, though nothing out of the ordinary. Was very willing to give it a fair chance.

'Joy for Christmas' did not live to its name for me, so it wasn't a joy. Actually found it very lacking in it and one of GAC Family's weaker films. The failure does not lie with Page or with the supporting cast, it's the script and story that sink the film and anybody who isn't a fan of Busby are not going to have their feelings converted (strengthened probably). 'Joy for Christmas' isn't awful or a complete mess, but if you want to see whether a newly formed company has been capable of good yet 'Much Ado About Christmas' is a much better bet.

The best aspect is Page, who is very likeable and easy going, not overplaying his role while not phoning in either. The supporting cast on the whole are fine too, with Erin Boyes bringing charm and vigour as the sister.

Did think also that 'Joy for Christmas' didn't look too bad, some very nice scenery here and photographed with care.

However, Busby comes over as much too manic and nothing looked natural about her performance, like she was trying too hard and making everything bigger than needed. Her character could have had more personality and development, while the romantic chemistry is too underused and low key to convince. There is too much of everything to do with the stepbrother, who is an over the top annoying caricature overacted to cartoonish effect by Madison Smith, and it leads to a conflict that is very forced and hasty. Would have liked more development to Page's character, he is the most interesting character in the film and progresses very believably but there could have been more of how he converts and have it happen more gradually.

On the whole, the story is very dull, very predictable in pretty much every area, lacks charm and takes itself a little too seriously. Also thought that it tried to do too much and that it needed to balance its elements a lot better (i.e. Less of the stepbrother, more romance). The script is stilted and also a real cheesefest that is really quite embarrassing to listen to later on. The ending is beyond unrealistic, with everything being resolved too easily, too neatly and in too rushed a manner. The music could have been used less and is forgettable and the direction is routine.

Concluding, rather lacklustre. 4/10.