Un felice Natale

Rachel is a self-help book writer who is promoting her new book "Me First" (or close to that). This movie is about her journey to realizing that Christmas is about giving to others. My first problem with this movie is that these two principles are absolutely contradictory and a self-help writer can't suddenly promote one theme when her book is about the other.

Another problem is Rachel herself. This woman is unsure of herself. For a self-help guru with at least two published books, she shows that she has almost no understanding of people. She can't see obvious things going on around her.

Finally the character Joy is nothing more than a prop. Joy herself seems confused at times.

If you can just accept all of the above without questioning, which is what you are supposed to do with Hallmark movies, you may enjoy this movie. The story has some interesting things in it including a little secret that needs to be revealed. There is a nice romance. And there are some heartwarming moments. I don't think I can be objective about the acting because some of the main characters were so self-contradictory which I think is more due to the story.

The one thing I didn't like about the movie was Joy. She had NO joy, was sour-faced throughout the whole movie. She never smiled!

Yes, she had sadness in her past, but when a miracle happened in her life, she had the same expression. She did not believe that you must love yourself before you are able to give love to others. Not a selfish "Me Only" kind of love of oneself, but an acceptance.

She was always giving her time and energies to others because she carried so much guilt. Yet there was no progression in her character at all. It could have been a better movie with different casting or different directing, not sure which was the problem.

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.

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.

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 .