Reencontro de Natal

Julie Benz and Michael Shanks take a well-written script and give nicely memorable performances in this story of two people with personal issues that they strive to resolve during the Christmas season. Benz is particularly believable and interesting as a military widow struggling with the loss of her husband while encountering (by chance) a soldier (played by Shanks) struggling with the loss of his comrades. This is not your cookie-cutter Hallmark Christmas couple, but rather, two intelligent characters whose emotions are sincerely felt and discussed. Nice pairing of these two very good performers. Supporting cast does well, too, particularly Jordana Largy as Lily, the newly widowed wife of a vet who had a connection with the soldier played by Shanks. The "One Year Later" sequence that is tacked on at the end is a little contrived but it doesn't detract from the charm of the story. We watch this one every year.

I hope I never become as cynical as most reviewers on this website. This is a beautiful story of loss and healing. The comments that the actors are too old for their parts are absurd. Not everyone is some shallow twenty-something.

Anything military touches my heart. I'm glad they embraced the life of how it's like to be in the military use - Love our military and their family. Thank you Halmark for acknowledging they exist

I first saw this film a couple of Christmases ago and have since watched it again and I think it's pretty good. Granted, it's not the greatest film ever made but the leads give likable performances and I found the story believable and entertaining.

The main reason for writing this is in response to those saying the leads are too old for the parts they are playing.

Michael shanks was 46/47 when he made this film and Julie Benz was 44/45.

From what I was able to find out it appears the average age of a US Army Master Sergeant is 46.

Looks like they are both just the right age for their parts.

Somehow this movie is attracting reviews from USA hating, anti military leftists. They seem to be disappointed that it wasn't anti war and anti military. As a veteran I respect and appreciated the way it handled the military service side with dignity befitting of the the sacrifice our veterans give for serving their country.

Also they show they have no concept of the Army rank structure as they think a grizzled Master Sergeant should be in his 20's or 30's. And why exactly should a veterans widow be in her 20's and 30's as well? Very strange. I found the age choice quite appropriate. My only quibble on that front would be how several of the actresses showed signs of plastic surgery to their faces. It is upsetting that these lovely women are in a system that makes them feel it is necessary to do that to remain relevant, and it didn't serve their roles as military spouses in this movie.

I wanted to really like this, but it was just too detached. I really didn't feel it. It felt like he had some problems brewing under the surface that their little play at Christmas spirit did not address or fix. She seemed to be just going through the motions and feeling like she should love him, instead of really loving him.

Anyway. An ok movie, and all the haters of our country and our military can jump in a lake or something.