Coup de foudre pour l'esprit de Noël

Sometimes some of my "pre-season Christmas movie picks" end up being a let down and others (like this movie) end up being a pleasant surprise. I absolutely loved Ghosts of Christmas Always and the movie's new twist on a classic! This was my first time seeing Kim Matula and Ian Harding. They had a lovely chemistry and sparkled in their Hallmark debut-And I will tune in every single time "Carl Winslow" is in a movie (more of him, please!) The "scrooging" ghosts had a fun and fresh dynamic together. This was a heartwarming movie that really checked off all my boxes for a feel good Christmas movie. My family will watch every Christmas season!

Production quality and acting better than most. Really good story my wife and I both enjoyed, Several surprises in the story that we didn't see coming which again was refreshing for a Hallmark movie and usual Christmas movies. Diverse cast is good to see and where some of the secondary parts were the kind you wanted to know more about by the end. The movie is a bit of a mystery through-ought and it's not about girl getting the guy she wants, although there is a bit of that. The characters don't really know what is going on or think they know and you get to experience them figuring out as they go along. Solid Christmas movie.

My wife and I have been watching the Countdown to Christmas movies for years. We love the familiar actors and storylines. The movies rarely get us out of our comfort zones. You know what to expect. And then a movie like this comes along and upsets the Apple cart in a most unexpected and enjoyable way.

Coming up with a unique twist on the Scrooge story is a challenge, and this film was up for it. The cast was great and featured mostly new to Hallmark talent. The chemistry between the leads was palpable. The script was filled with genuinely funny moments and created a believable take on a well known classic. I was bawling the first time I saw it. It brought me to tears the second time I watched it as well. This is the first Hallmark movie I have ever rated a 10.

I, and many other reviewers, frequently mention and sometimes complain about all the overused plot tropes which are retreaded through these Christmas romances.

The writers for Ghosts of Christmas Always struck through them all for a story full of imagination and surprises. This version of A Christmas Carol takes us into their idea of what an operation of "Three Ghost Teams" might be like ... with humor and feeling and warmth.

By the time they worked their charm, I was left with an impression I've seldom had for one of these films ... almost the equal of Fallen Angel with Gary Sinise, and it's been a LONG time since Fallen Angel.

As a writer, I might have picked a slightly different device at the end to resolve the romantic element of the story, but I can't really carp over the one they picked. I'll suspend my couple of doubts and enjoy what we got, a wonderful film.

When I review Hallmark, I rate based on other Hallmark shows I've seen because that's what I hope for when I check the IMDB rating before I decide to watch a movie. I already know what to 'sort of' expect. This one is different!! Ghosts of Christmas Always is a definite must see. The script is so unique taking us on a 'sorta familiar' ride but then the twists and turns. The number of times I said "Wait a minute!?" and couldn't wait to see where the story was going to go next. The performances all deserves high accolades with a wonderful blend of heart and humour. AND of course Christmas magic. I loved this one! Bravo Hallmark.