Baseshment
I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
BelSports
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Reno Rangan
Just as I thought watching Christmas films are over, only the real Christmas is what left to enjoy, I came across with this film. This is a last moment review written in the week of Christmas eve. The reason I liked was, it is another Christmas film based on the book of the same name. I think Hallmark should adapt books more often. The original screenplays are almost nothing. No innovation, not interesting enough. But literature based films like this makes a lot sense to watch. With an artistic presentation, the depth in characters and events, the story is well convincing.Well, the story is not new. We all know it, especially how it's going to turn out at the end. But that's not the issue. How much you are satisfied with the way it all were told matters. So apart from a good story, the actors and director too makes an impact. I think it all worked out well for this. Yet there was a small drawback that towards the end of the second act, the story dried up. I mean literally when all the important matter was sorted out, the rest of the narration till the final twist was simply a drag. A time killer with casual scenes.-xX] Look around you, and then close your eyes. Put everything you just saw into your brain like a picture. That way, you can keep it, even after we've gone. [Xx-Willa, a single mother and her young boy is all set to enjoy their Christmas in the Bramble house BnB. On the other side of the tale, Finn disappointed with his father who had died weeks ago, left nothing to him, but for a stranger, Willa. So he decides to find out the reason and confront her with a legal option. Now, on the eve of the Christmas week, they meet at the Bramble house and develop an unexpected relationship with mother and son. Once the truth ready to get out, what happens and how the story would end was told quite nicely.The character Finn looked good, but with a bad intention in his mind makes a villain, at least in the beginning. The actor who played it kind looked expressionless, even when he smiled. As the story went on, he looked better. Maybe I got used to it. Because slowly his behaviour has changed, leaving us to expect, how he would react at the end. You know without making something into a complicate, there's no end twist. In this, it was his identity and purpose of meeting Willa. That character makes this tale possible. But Willa is the one mysterious until she reveal about her life, particularly the secret about her son.One of the good Christmas films of this season I've seen. More importantly, it emotionally get us. That's crucial if the film is aimed for families. Of course not without romance theme, otherwise these things won't work, but it was not focused on that thing alone. Mixing the festival occasion, romance, and personal life was neatly done. So if you want to watch a Christmas film, this won't be a bad pick. But as I always say, this is a television film, so be compromised on the overall perspective of the product and enjoy.7/10
robert23-1
Once again, the casting department of the Hall Mark Channel comes though in flying colours. Their talent & expertise in casting young talented actors is proof in this movie. Liam Hughes, though cute, is so talented beyond his young years. His performance and especially the scenes with the character Fin(David Hayden-Jones) is outstanding. The chemistry between those two is what makes this movie not to be missed. The actress playing the mother is definitely believable but the predictable ending to the movie brings tears to ones eyes. What a wonderful Christmas movie! Well done, Hall Mark. Liam needs to be in more Hall Mark movies. He has a great career ahead of him and I look forward to seeing him in more movies.Robert, Victoria, B.C., Canada
zyxnix
Autumn Reeser is fairly hot in this movie, great hair but not much of a bod. She really wears nothing sexy at all. Big disappointment. I kid you not but the lady who plays the innkeeper is actually a scene stealer. I would watch a movie about her. It's a fairly original story line. I could live with it. Watch it again? I wouldn't just because there is not enough going on. Finally, the kid is annoying and kind of weird.
Jack Vasen
Sometimes a story doesn't have to have twists and surprises to be worth watching, especially if it is told well. This story has a somewhat unusual approach yet relies on some traditional plot devices. Some minor mysteries are revealed along the way, but there are no great surprises.Autumn Reeser, as Willa, is a special mom of a special boy, Liam Hughes as Scout. Willa has had to struggle both emotionally and financially as her young son has had a heart transplant from which he is finally fully recovered. Since she has no special skills or qualifications, paying back the bills has been a burden for her. Yet this quiet and kindhearted lady is special in that she makes the lives of people around her better. She did that for Mr. Conrad in his final days, and he rewarded her in his will. He gives her a chance to explore her future by taking away her debt and paying for a week at Bramble House.Mr. Conrad's estranged son sets out to prove that Willa has conned his father. Intending to confront her, instead he gets to know her and it's not hard to figure what happens from there. As the movie goes on we find out more about that estrangement and the wounds it has left in him.We find other characters worth knowing. There is Mable, the owner of Bramble House and her niece and great niece and a male guest. The story weaves them all together with Willa as the heart that binds them.There are some beautiful sets of Christmas decorations both at the Inn and around town. The acting is good.
