I'm going to be ultra picky in some areas with this movie. Please forgive me if my analysis radar is off. It is 2019 and it can be hard to remember how things were in 2009.
In a time of yellow pages and Motorola flip phones exists this amazing movie called Christmas Angel. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for those who watch these kind of movies for another Christmas-Romance-Story, you'll be mostly disappointed. With all the Christmas "cookie cutter" romance movies out there, that actually might be a good thing. This movie has a lot of heart. Made me cry like a little baby. Several times. Luckily, no one reads these reviews so I'm pretty safe admitting that.
-Specific details-
One of the main characters who uses a cane, wasn't taught how to use it correctly and it is obvious by the way he uses it on the wrong side of the body.
Another main character has a dog, but a lot of times she doesn't take it out...I know this is a silly detail but - poor puppy.
It is a small detail, but there are a lot of times where someone will dial a phone number and instantly they are on the phone with someone, as if it didn't have time to ring. This happens enough that it takes you out of the mostly realistic story and reminds you that they aren't really using a phone. Picky...but still. One detail thing that I really enjoyed was seeing the writer character actually type on the keyboard while he was using it. Someone actually typing what they are saying and their hands actually moving correctly is often a rarity in movies-even in 2019. On a quick aside, I still don't know why in driving scenes, the driver tends to move the steering wheel left and right wildly like in a racing- 'video game' when they are driving straight down the road. Anyways...back to the movie. Oh, I thought that the very last series of "final shots" made no sense and were pointless. One could have finished that movie with an infinite number of shots that would have been better (more suited to the theme or relevant to the last line of dialogue or...anything really). A lame ending to a well crafted movie.
-Now for the Broad Strokes-
Acting and casting: The acting and casting was all fantastic. The dialogue was amazingly well written and had the fluid "real life" dialogue similar to movies like The Before Trilogy. The downside to that, is when the dialogue isn't as good, then it really sticks out because the rest of it is amazing. In most movies of this "ilk" the dialogue is pretty bad and so bad dialogue is just, part of the mess. It is because of the talented writing of 95% of the movie that the 5% that isn't as good really jumps out. I enjoyed the realistic dialogue. It wasn't campy at all and surprisingly intelligent and logical in many areas. Not what I was expecting (in a good way). The music is of good quality, as a musician I feel like I have some weight on the matter. Unfortunately, the music for the movie is over-the-top "shmaltzy" while the dialogue and setting are very realistic which leads to a few scenes that just feel off or odd. As if the movie didn't know what kind of movie it was trying to be. There was a nice realistic touch to the movie and unfortunately perhaps the romance or relationships were a bit too realistic. It was hard to like some of the main characters, and in some weird combination of dialogue and character made for the romance aspect of the story to just fall short. When the romance did occur, it felt forced (especially with that bad over the top music). If I had half the interactions that those characters did, then well there wouldn't be any more relationship, never-mind romance. Some parts of this movie makes the romance of the Star Wars Prequel (junk) seem amazing...that is really harsh. It is almost on that level though.
::Conclusion:: Even with all of the little-flaws and bad-romance, the movie ends up being heart warming and amazing. The overall messages that the movie is conveying outweighs the fantasy-Christmas-romance themes in most Christmas movies. The closing of side-story plots was also a nice tying of the bow that sealed this hidden Christmas Present.
If only the love story was better...*&*^. It could have actually ended up being a classic.
To the .00001% of you who read this review: I hope you enjoyed!
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mrmac-425613 December 2018With so many Christmas movies on television at the moment sometimes a gem can be found among the dross. This film is one of the best seasonal movies of the past 10 years. It must be good because I can watch it again and again. It is perfectly cast with Kari Hawker and KC Clyde finding love in an unexpected way and Bruce Davison brilliant as the very wealthy cancer-ridden former property developer who regrets aspects of his past life and seeks to help those in real need at Christmas. The film lacks sentimentality which adds to its attraction.
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itmeansflower27 January 2021I 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.
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Christmas-Reviewer22 October 2016Ashley (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. -
vesslgod930 November 2013Out of all the Christmas movies out there , this is one of the very best for sure. The message and story line is deep. The story made you feel like it could be true. My hope is someday I am placed in a position of one who can bless like the characters in this movie did for others. I could relate to the young lady who was moved around from foster home to foster home, and trust became a huge issue in her life. I believe we all have the desire to be loved by at least one person unconditionally in our lives.I will watch this movie even during the year to help remind me not only what Christmas is about but the brotherhood of mankind. I hope all will see this movie and retain from it a sense of decency and humility on how we can greatly benefit by helping those who are in need throughout the entire year not just Christmas time.
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reedme101831 October 2021A cute enough movie about how if you fall in love, it can save you from being grumpy grinchy selfish type. Some sad things happen, but the ending is heartfelt and warm. The side stories are all wrapped up by the end, which is nice. Not everything gets fixed, because love a and kindness can't save everything.
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Boogalow20 November 2009A nice movie I thought, with a good idea behind it. Personally, and this is only my own thought, (others will disagree I'm sure) that the character of Nick could have been used more and had more of an input further into the movie than he did. Yes, he was in it for the first hour(ish) but I sadly realised what was coming when he is talking with Ashley in his apartment, and says the line: "I won't be around for ever." So when he wasn't in it (I had tears in my eyes - it was so sad that bit) I kind of didn't want to watch the rest of it because his character is so integral to the movie.
Bruce Davison is one of those understated actors who makes acting look so easy; it isn't. You know you're going to get a good solid performance in every movie he does, he is an awesome actor and picks his roles well, and as well as getting more handsome as he gets older, the characters he plays are always magnetic, they pull you in to the character's heart and you feel their emotion, their hurt, and a life story is painted for the viewer so easily and quickly you feel like you've known the character all your life. Nick Anderson, is such a role: quiet, unassuming but 'carrying a hurt' - this will move you. -
NikkiBay84 December 2013I really enjoyed this heartfelt movie. As a TV-movie, I did not expect to be moved, but this movie brought out the waterworks in me.
Ashley (Kari Hawker) plays a lonely, broke young woman trying to find a job before the holiday season. Her lonely neighbor, Nick Anderson (played by Bruce Davison), offers her a job to work as his assistant. She accepts the job and learns the true meaning of Christmas when she learns of Nick's past and his Secret Santa ways of the present. They form a father/daughter bond and it is very sweet to witness. Will Price (KC Clyde) plays a magazine writer, who threatens to reveal Nick Anderson as the Secret Santa for his own self gain at the magazine. However, the movie writers were smart to keep his cynicism to a minimum as to not spoil the goodness of the movie.
Bruce Davison's performance was exceptional. He and Kari Hawker had great chemistry on screen, as do Hawker and Clyde. I highly recommend this Christmas movie. I can't wait to watch it again next year! -
adamjohns-425753 November 2020I have quite often taken the pee out of Bruce Davison for all of the crappy roles he has taken on, most of which I have felt are a bit typecast, but looking back at his career, I have to say that he is a work horse, never out of work since the 70's and in this film he gives a really good performance worthy of note.
It's another charming Christmas story about how doing good things can make you feel good, as well as making the world a better place. I have said before, having watched "A Christmas Carol" that I'm slightly concerned about the length of the chains I have forged in life and films like this one show that it doesn't have to be a big gesture for it to be worthwhile.
Intertwined with a budding romance, this film shows the true meaning of the season and there's a dog in it too! -
studioAT19 December 2017This is an entertaining and undemanding Christmas film that I enjoyed.
With a simple story, a strong cast giving good performances and some nice messages it was a joy to watch.
There are so many of this sort of film knocking around in the run up to Christmas that it's impossible to wade through the chaff to find the wheat, but this one I am happy to report is well worth checking out. -
Jackbv12324 August 2018This is a feel good movie where the female lead, Ashley, a regular woman who at the moment happens to be struggling a bit, gets the chance to become Secret Santa. Throw in some hardship in several backstories and a budding romance, and it is hard to miss.
Take away a star for K.C. Clyde, as Will. First off, his character needed some definite refitting. Add to it that it just didn't seem like Will and Ashley had that much chemistry. For me, the only indication that there was any connection for Ashley was the fact that Nick kept selling Will to her. He says something like "you know you love him", but that wasn't obvious at all other than the fact that she had no one else.
Still, Kari Hawker was a pleasure. I just saw her for the first time today in another movie which was so bad, it's amazing I was intrigued by this actress with a fairly small and unknown filmography. She played this part perfectly in my mind. She plays as a slightly insecure woman who really doesn't want any fame, yet she doesn't oversell the insecurities. She steps into the role Nick gives her reluctantly, but she applies herself completely, and rocks it. She's easy on the eyes, but isn't particularly seductive, and I mean that in a positive way.
The epilogue was a bit lackluster even though it was generally what you'd expect.
This has a bit of a Hallmark feel to it, but all the credits point to a non-American production. It would certainly play well on the Hallmark Channel and I would love to see Keri Hawker show up there in other things. -
Tantrum17013 February 2014The 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"
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stereo_199926 December 2020They push things too fast like the non-existent relationship. They see each other two times and they supposedly have deep feelings already? He lies and she trusts him enough to keep opening up?
I do love the idea of the movie, but it needed to be more fleshed out. I wanted to feel the emotion and connection though the characters, but it never felt like i knew the characters. -
TheLittleSongbird29 March 2022Am 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. -
Lily-3218 November 2009I loved it. I know, I know. I like a lot of corny stuff so how valid could my opinion on this be, but I really did enjoy it. It stars KC Clyde and Kari Hawker (who played opposite each other previously in The Dance), as well as the wonderful Bruce Davison. I won't bother giving a summary (you'll find that on the IMDb main page). The story is simple, sweet and not too in your face Christmas. Yes, it's got a few clichés I could do without but they don't detract from the story really. Clyde and Hawker have great chemistry as before. And Hawker and Davison have this sweet father/daughter type relationship that makes you wish you had that kind of mentor in your life if you haven't already. So many Christmas movies that I love as well seem to push the idea of 'it's about the people not the gifts' but don't seem to really believe what they're selling the way this movie does.
It's not perfect, but it's perfect enough for what it is and what they're trying to do. I highly recommend this if the holiday type films sprinkled with romance are your kind of flick. -
rebekahrox25 November 2021A 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. -
caribbeanpiratess-998-98126927 December 2018Nice story, & Bruce Davison is always solid. Dash, the dog did a better job than either of the "romantic leads"...both of whom were neither "romantic" nor lead character material. There was not one spark of chemistry in either their acting or the chemistry between them.
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corinthranger29 November 2019I watched this for the first time three years ago and I knew it would be one we would watch every Christmas. And I was right. It's a simple movie that's a bit predictable but it has tons of heart; Will grows a heart, and Ashley learns to trust someone, two someone's, with hers. And Nick showed them both how to make a heart bigger through sharing. It's a sweet movie that doesn't stoop to cheap laughs, bad language, or insincere sentiment.
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sandcrab27728 November 2019Right from the beginning k.c. clyde gave me the creeps ... he reeked of oil ... i was surprised to find he was the romantic lead, even worse a down to earth woman like kari hawker diaz didn't see right through him when he tried to hold her phone hostage for a date .. and as the story progressed , i knew clyde had zero moral fiber
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firstunion14 December 2019This was most uplifting, genuine Christmas movie I've ever seen. Perfect for the season. If you to be blessed, watch this movie.
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The 2009 Christmas movie titled "Christmas Angel" from writer Brittany Wiscombe was something of a swing and a miss. As I sat down to watch "Christmas Angel" for the first time here in 2021, I must admit that I was expecting a bit more of a cheerful and Christmas spirit filled movie.
But director Brian Brough delivered something else. Now, I assume that it was the character Ashley Matthews and the way the character was written that didn't sit well with me. The character was way too gloomy and just oozing with a negative aura, so it took away all of the Christmas-feeling from the movie. I assume that actress Kari Hawker-Diaz was just portraying and playing the character as it was written.
The storyline was adequate enough, I will say that much, but everything was just ruined by that God awful character Ashley Matthews, and I just couldn't get into any sense of Christmas feel from the movie, so the movie failed to entertain me.
If you enjoy Christmas movies, then you should stay well clear of "Christmas Angel", because it simply isn't worth the effort, and it surely isn't an uplifting movie. Not even the upbeat ending could do much to salvage all the previous time spent watching this gloomfest.
My rating of "Christmas Angel" lands on a more than generous three out of ten stars. -
lisamariechr20 October 2020Charming, angst, rocky romance start, sweet, kind old man. Everything is in this movie. Everything I look for at least. No horrible female protagonist, just sweetness, a tad of acidity and a wonderful, warm theme. Perfect for a Christmas movie, with a theme that should be carried throughout the year.
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angelachristie1310 December 2012Maybe this deserves a better rating as a typically sappy "feel good" movie or something, but it has no oomph in the romantic genre. The actor in the male lead, K.C. Clyde, is completely uninspiring; he has negative sex appeal. He seems more suitable for playing a dorky side-kick supporting role in a comedy or a snotty protagonist at a boarding school. Bad casting; it killed the entire movie for me. I was hoping the boy DIDN'T get the girl the whole time I was watching it. But even as a feel-good movie, it misses the mark. The basic premise was supposed to be emotional, but the way it was handled left me unmoved. Maybe I've just been watching too many of these Christmas-themed movies. My reaction to most of the scenes was rolling my eyes. I really wouldn't recommend this movie. People need to know that the 2012 production of the same name isn't a remake of this disaster; it just has the misfortune of bearing the same title.
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tinatalksavon11 November 2021I don't know how we've managed to miss this show over the years, but I'm so glad I caught a glimpse of it one day then recorded it.
We watched it last night and absolutely LOVED this show. Although I cried through most of it, then was so stopped up I couldn't breathe - it was well worth the watch. This show has a great storyline, that many people should pay attention to.
Loved the concept, the acting, and the storyline. Well worth the watch. Not your typical boy meets girl movie. We need MORE touching movies like this!!!