L'Ange de Noël

This movie is different from the other holiday movies I've seen this year. A few minutes into the film I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue watching. I didn't see how I could like the ending, however I chose to see it through to the end. The movie leads you to believe one possible ending but surprises you with another one.

Lindy Booth brings real depth to her character, which is very likable. The other actors also did a good job of making the story believable. There are some problems with the film such as make-up, the hospital set, lip syncing and how Carrie jumped into her task so easily. Also the end of the film is a little rushed. You have to realize that this is an Hallmark Channel TV movie. It's a less expensive movie than major network TV movies and has maybe one or two recognizable stars. It's meant to be for all members of the family and give a warm fuzzy holiday feeling.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

One of the rare Hallmark films that had more promise than most of them but then but it almost becomes cringe worthy when the lead male star breakouts into a song.

In this film in order to gain entry to heaven, a woman (Lindy Booth) must help a man (Paul McGillion) and his young daughter.

Carrie Bishop (Lindy Booth) is a successful event planner living in New York City. Her life changes when she is involved in a car accident and wakes up in Central Park, where she is met by an older man, Henry (Derek McGrath), a spirit guide who is there to instruct her how to get to Heaven. He explains to her that in order to move on, she must complete one task: help widower Scott Walker (Paul McGillion), the owner of a struggling restaurant.

In order to complete her mission, Carrie spends time at the restaurant and becomes friends with Scott's daughter Abby. Carrie puts her event-planning skills to good use and helps to promote the restaurant. But there is a catch: Carrie only has until midnight on Christmas Eve (in two weeks) to succeed in helping Scott turn the failing restaurant into a successful, thriving business. And there are rules, including that Carrie is forbidden to contact anyone from her previous life and that ultimately she cannot meddle in Scott's life (he must make his choices by free will, without her influence). These rules prove to be more & difficult to follow, especially when she begins falls for Scott.

I completely disagree with the reviewer that gave this movie a poor rating. In a day where all we see on TV is violence, death, and sex- this is a refreshing and heartwarming Christmas story for the entire family. Lindy Booth gives a great performance as a woman who is a planner and assists businesses and individuals who need advertisement or just advise how to succeed- however living such a busy and hollow materialistic life has left her loveless, cynical, and alone. Her relationship with her father is non-existent, and she is in desperate need of a wakeup call before it's too late! She meets a kindly older gentleman while filling up her automobile at a local gas station who will change her life in ways she never expected. This is a must see movie for Christmas!!

A very cheesy and harmless seasonal tale this may be. But the male lead is a strange choice as he's batting WAY above his average with his 'dates' in this film. They also have him wearing weird scruffy clothes throughout too. I assumed the actor must have financed the film or something and cast himself!

The lead actress is good as is the daughter but the rest are a little wooden especially the over familiar gas station grandad who comes across as a stalker at the start - little did we know what he was really up to...

Then they topped it all when the chef breaks out his synth and starts very badly lip syncing to an awful love song what he wrote. Quite funny actually though it's not supposed to be.

Switch your brain off and enjoy it though because it's Christmas ain't it?

This year, 2016, I'm getting in the spirit, as I do every year, by watching Christmas films. This year, however, the terrestrial channels seem to have gone overboard and my viewing schedule has doubled, and then some.

So far this is my favourite Angel / Ghost Story of the festive season.

The acting is average, at best, though Lindy Booth and Derek McGrath give the best performances and add the heartwarming element to the tale. I even like the sometime brusqueness of Paul McGillion's character, after all, the tragedy he's been through I can understand it.

The storyline is average and the ending is way too saccharine, far- fetched, and over romanticised for my liking. It harks back to Prince Charming awakening Snow White... but it isn't done so well as the animated film, either in script or direction. If you're going to do something this cheesy, then at least do it right.

It's not a film I'd rush to see again anytime soon, though I did enjoy it. If you've not seen this movie, give it a try... remember you can change the channel or stop and delete the recording at any time...