Una giornata davvero speciale

No one would dare to try to remake the 1993 classic film, "Groundhog Day." But it was only a matter of time before someone thought to use the same idea in a completely different way. That's what the makers of "The 12 Days of Christmas Eve" have done. Calvin Carter gets 12 Christmas Eves over to determine if he will wake up on Christmas day or not.

The plot is fair, if a little far-fetched. Carter hosts a Brazilian company representative to see if his company will break into Latin America. As in the inspirational movie, he gets the day to live over and over as he tries to make it his best Christmas Eve ever. The comedy isn't on the level of the "Groundhog Day" and some of it is corny. Nor is the cast on the level of the earlier film.

But there's enough humor, and a good enough script with actors who do a decent job. So, this Christmas movie isn't humbug at all, but enjoyable light fare. The whole family should enjoy it.

Steven Weber (Sexual Life) just doesn't get it. He is condemned to repeat Christmas Eve over and over until he does.

Bill Murray did that in Groundhog Day and did it in a fashion that would make every imitation, including this one, pale in comparison.

It was a nice try by Director Martha Coolidge (Material Girls), but it simply fails to have the magic that Murray brings to the table. It's not knowing what is going to happen, because you know what is going to happen in A Christmas Carol, and yet you can still watch multiple versions and enjoy them. Murray so stole Groundhog Day that you just can't watch an imitation. I really found myself watching the clock and saying, "When it going to be the 12th Day?"

Molly Shannon (Evan Almighty, Year of the Dog) was great as the angel, as was Stefanie von Pfetten (40 Days and 40 Nights) as Weber's girlfriend. And Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns) was sweet Christmas candy in a wasted role.

Yes, this movie is similar to Groundhog Day, Family Man, and A Christmas Carol.... BUT it still carves out it's own place at the table.

If you like Christmas movies, and if you go into this understanding it was made for TV - you'll be VERY pleasantly surprised and pleased with this comedy. It's not Oscar material, it's not deep, it won't make you cry (thank goodness), but it will give you some laughs and it's a fun holiday film.

There are many many similar films..... most are dull or okay (Christmas Do-Over with Jay Mohr is markedly similar in plot to this tale, but not nearly as entertaining).

Molly Shannon as the angel is absolutely fabulous! Steve Webber does a great job tying comedy and humanity together, creating a sympathetic and believable (for a holiday TV movie) character.

While the plot is familiar in its similarities to other films, and consequently extremely predictable - the humor and contemporary setting make this a great "sitcom" style film.

It wouldn't be a Christmas movie without a moral and the lesson here was deeper and more provocative than expected. He wasn't able to buy, give, volunteer, or simply donate his way out of the mess - it was more and I especially appreciated that.

If you want a fun family Christmas movie with some light laughs, check this out!

Yep, as I started to watch I immediately thought I was watching a rip off of Groundhog Day. I like Steven Weber and Molly Shannon so I figured I'd stick with it. I'm glad I did. Yes, the story is similar to Groundhog Day with a twist of A Christmas Carol but it was entertaining and the acting was great. Good fliick, I'll watch it again.

I don't really think this is a 7 in the grand scheme of movies, but after watching 2 weeks worth of awful christmas movies with my wife, this one was a welcome relief. Some humor, some production quality, some decent acting, some heartwarming content. Should be at least a 6, so hopefully my 7 will bump it up a little