Un ospite di Natale

A tremendous movie, extremely well-written, directed, and acted. The writing keeps the viewer in suspense as the story slowly blooms to an ending which settles viewers' guesses and curiosity about the characters and how they inter-relate. The director creates a genuine 50's/60's old-time (though the story takes place in the new century), big-on-emotional-connection small town setting that quietly makes evident the family's suffering without branding it on the audience, a family and their pain that is entirely believable and endearing. The actors are tremendous and use the smallest hesitation, the slightest glance at the ground or regretful, nuanced grimace, the most natural mumbling through a line of Christmas lyrics to make themselves genuine on every level.

And it is so much more touching the second, third and fourth time through...do not miss it. Especially if you are a parent.

I'd like first to address a few negative comments I read here. #1 this movie is anything but boring. It doesn't have car chases, nudity or foul language, nor is it suspenseful or tense. It is low key, and rightfully so, and has an inspiring, positive message. #2 Maybe the medals and other props aren't authentic, and the snow, always a problem for me in Hollywood movies, is obviously fake (real snow melts almost immediately when it lands on your hair, face or clothes). But the message is what's important here, not who sends it, or how it was sent! And finally #3 The acting is topnotch! Everyone was completely believable and this may be one of the best performances of Devane's career. Everything was very subtle in this film; nothing over the top as in some heartwarming films. I found the story very involving and engrossing. One small insignificant complaint of mine would be that a better method of phasing in and out of flashbacks would make it less confusing. But maybe that's my problem with attention spans. As for the ending, it is left for the viewer to determine its meaning. I agree it's not the greatest Christmas movie, but it's up there with the better ones.

There are many Hallmark Christmas movies. Some involve romance, but all of them concern maintaining or regaining the Christmas spirit, that feeling of generosity and thankfulness that we associate with the holidays. "A Christmas Visitor" wraps a dramatic story of loss around the familiar Christmas themes.

George (William Devane) and Carol Boyajian (Meredith Baxter) are parents who lost a son to the Gulf War. Twelve years later, George decides it is time to reclaim the spirit of Christmas they abandoned when their son died during the Christmas season. Daughter Jeannie (Reagan Pasternak), who has shared their sorrow, is dealing with the possibility of breast cancer.

Their lives change when a stranger comes to their small town on Christmas Eve. Matthew (Dean McDermott) is a veteran who also served in the Persian Gulf. He is surrounded by mystery and it is not clear if he actually knew the Boyajian's son.

Predictably, this is a tearjerker, and it adds patriotism to the usual emotional mix. It is all done tastefully and with optimism. Devane plays his central role with understated elegance. The possibly paranormal elements of the film are ambiguous and one wonders if some unifying scenes were left on the cutting room floor. Still, the film has a tender spirit that might leave the viewer with a smile and a tear.

I have seen alot of christmas movies, especially this year, most of them are boring, but i watched this one the other night, and it is truely one of the best movies about the true meaning of christmas I have seen in a long time. Stars William Devane and Merideth Baxter as the parents of two children, the oldest son John goes off to fight in the gulf war and dies before christmas, the family gets the news on christmas eve and from then on they never celebrate christmas again. 10 years later when their daughter finds a lump in her breast. William Devane asks for a sign from God to help them get their lives back.

Its a wonderful christmas movie, its not as exciting as some movies, but not everyone has to have santa claus and rudolph. I highly recommend this movie.

This is a story about healing from loss. It is a little slow paced but full of feelings. Likewise there isn't a lot of depth to the plot, but again it is about feelings and family.

Part of the healing comes from a visitor to town and to the family who appears to be a complete stranger. There is a hint that this visitor is more than he seems.

The acting is good and the characters are appealing and sympathetic.

It is a good story for the Christmas season.