A Kindhearted Christmas

I do enjoy Christmas movies, the Hallmark variety that is. Sometimes when life gets tough, we just need to escape, to breathe in a bit of hope and positive outcomes, even some predictability. This movie delivers. The premise is wider than the typical romance that is found in most movies of this genre. While the 'secret santa' concept is also a popular one, this movie does play it well. I found the characters sufficiently three-dimensional. Their relationships are credible (well, within the realm of the genre). The plot is to be expected, but it is fun to see it develop. I would recommend the movie.

Such a sweet story. A Samaritan from little town Cooperville acts as a secret Santa to help the needy and put a huge smile on their faces. This inspires the town to give back to the community.

A great movie and Scott - the reporter was absolutely charming as the tv host, and the lonely traveller who runs away to wander the world during Christmas time.

Jamie is the reason this movie gets only 6 stars. Her dialogs are good, but her eyes and expressions are all wrong. She comes off as a stalker or psychopath with those expressions. I almost thought this was going to turn into a thriller who would torture Scott after kidnapping him.

A great movie let down due to weird expressions.

Jennie Garth's eye rolling and opening eyes wide was distracting. Not a lot of range. I've seen her in other movies where she hasn't done it - she really accentuated it in this movie. Cameron Mathison's anger seemed out of place. Why was he so mad? Couldn't figure it out. He still got his stories.

Let me start by saying it's hard for me not to love any movie starring Cameron Mathison so I'm a little biased. He always plays such a kind, genuine, caring, person, in all his movies.

I enjoyed the premise about an anonymous person giving help and kindness to those in need. Another reviewer said "This plot has been done sooo many times" and this person thought it was boring. I felt the opposite! I haven't seen many movies with this plot on GAC, Hallmark, or Lifetime. I've watched over 500 Hallmark movies. There are few here and there with the "Secret Santa" premise but not to many. Maybe I've missed them somehow. A movie by Lifetime called, A Christmas Angel, was a great movie about a "secret Santa" and I highly recommend it! Don't confuse it with the Hallmark movie and Angel for Christmas. Both great movies.

My only issue was Jennie Garth's character. Could she eke out a smile? Her character did not exude kindness and empathy at all. She never looked Mathison in the eye or responded with a smile when he complimented her.

This movie is uplifting. So why is Jennie Garth so restrained? I would expect Jamie to be bursting with holiday cheer, positively bubbly. I think her restraint lessened the chemistry with Cameron Mathison. Mathison was fine.

The story was pretty much by formula for most of it. It picks up a bit of the pay-it-forward theme as it goes on and others join in. I will say the climax has a nice little twist. Then comes the conflict that you know is inevitable. I love the way the memory flashbacks resolve it.

Another reviewer commented the irony that Jennie Garth previously played a reporter in Holidaze sent to unmask a Secret Santa. That's not exactly how the synopsis reads on that movie, but notice that she costarred with Mathison in that movie. And Mathison was in Christmas Club which had a similar uplifting pay it forward theme even though it wasn't quite Secret Santa.