Le Père Noël d'à côté

I enjoyed this movie overall. It's a nice combination of predictable and unpredictable. Main actors all did a fine job. However it really isn't particularly Christmasy, even though it's set at Christmastime. I would define this more as a romantic drama that happens to fall in December. The main character, Ashley, really isn't terribly likable to begin with. In reality, her romantic interest probably would have given up on her fairly quickly due to her cold responses. But anyway, it was enjoyable and it's worth the time so I'd give it a shot.

The story is rather nice and the movie could have scored higher, if it weren't for the male lead character. Davison was pretty good and Hawker did an OK job, but Clyde would better have been replaced by the dog as the male lead. It's performance was, at least, above average. Can one speak of a one dimensional character? Well, it's not even that. Both the actor and the character were virtually non-existent, noise at best. For that reason alone this movie hardly qualifies as a romance. Nice, but don't stay home for it. After this dismal performance I will probably never again take the risk to watch a movie with Clyde in it. And like Forrest Gump said: "That is all I have to say about that"

Am not somebody who hates Christmas or has a bias against made for television Christmas films. The complete opposite on both counts and have made that clear more than once and will continue to do so if necessary. Evident from a number of positive reviews for the Christmas output of Hallmark and Lifetime. The premise for 'Christmas Angel' did sound quite interesting and seemed at times like it was trying to do something a little different.

Over the past two years or so, my Christmas film completest quest (made up for primarily those from Hallmark and Lifetime) has been very interesting but also hit and miss. Some were very charming, easy to digest and lovely watches with good casts. Others were very dull, cheesy, too sentimental and badly written and acted. 'Christmas Angel' is mostly in the former category, though it is far from perfect or quite my definition of a great film.

The not so good things are going to be started off with. Some of the music could have been toned down and been used more sparingly.

My biggest issue is KC Clyde, who comes over as too oily to be a romantic lover and has no real charm, also found the character too over the top in the negative characteristics and bland. It does affect his chemistry with Kari Hawker, which has little spark in a relationship that is very underdeveloped despite having moments where it is realistic.

Which is unfortunate as Hawker herself is actually very appealing in her role, which is much more interesting and easy to like. The acting in general in 'Christmas Angel' is above average. The dog is adorable. The best thing about it is Bruce Davison, who is wonderful and movingly understated as a character that resonates. Really liked his sincere chemistry with the other cast members.

'Christmas Angel' furthermore looks good. The scenery is truly attractive and photographed with a lot of love. The script is cohesive and doesn't come over as awkward, it also takes itself seriously without being dreary and the sentimentality doesn't become too much. The story is pretty conventional, but its endless charm, its good nature and warm heart more than more up for that. Same with the very honest and never preachy messaging, messaging that is also relevant and important.

Summing up, good if not great. 7/10.

Ashley (Kari Hawker)is not having a good day. She wakes up her water is off. She can't start her and is now late for a job interview. Along the way she loses her cellphone. Later when she finds out the job she was hoping for is no longer available.

Her neighbor ends up hiring her to be his assistant. What she doesn't know is how special her neighbor is.

The film has a brisk pace to it. The film has believable characters acting they way most people would in in real life.

The film has a likable cast and the possible love story is very realistic.

Available on DVD it is worth watching. I suggest watching it. Must males of all ages will be bored but make them watch.

A down and out young woman finds a new lease on life when she becomes a Secret Santa's head elf.

Right off the bat, I did not like the male lead. I did not like the character or the actor. His dishonest and harmful brand of journalism and snotty behavior towards the fact checker that called him out on it showed that he was not a good man. And he even looked like kind of a immature smart-aleck. Since part of the plot was his eventual rehabilitation, though, the character and the actor grew on me. I guess I'm used to the Hallmark heroes who are almost always knights in shining armor from the get go, even though they may be disguised by grief or hurt.

On the other hand Bruce Davison and Kari Hawker-Diaz more that made up for the initial weakness of the male lead. Oscar nominated and New York Film Critics and Golden Globe winning actor Bruce Davison needs no praise from me on his acting. These little TV movies are blessed that he isn't snobby about the roles he takes. Gee, I guess he just loves to act and wants to work. About a half-hour into the movie, I realized that Kari not only reminded me of Sandra Bullock, but sounded like her too. And her character took me back to sad, struggling, and lonely Lucy of While You Were Sleeping. So she already had a head-start with me on the likability scale.

The idea of the movie, that, a modest humble man who is a **spoiler alert*** secret millionaire,**end spoiler** roams the city looking for people who need a helping hand was a real winner. I loved the idea that he recruited "elves" to help him find worthy recipient of his bounty as well. Of course our hero, rightly and satisfyingly demoted due to his shoddy journalism, (in real life he probably would have gotten a raise) and trying to win back his former position, threatens to expose "Nick" and ruin his mission. Their were quite a few genuinely touching moments in this warm hearted movie as well as some humor. The romance took second stage and mostly served to provide our heroine with closure and the resolution of her challenges.