Eloise Mumford is 26 in this 2012 movie and is great. She starred in Just in Time for Christmas (2015) which was a perfect movie. Love her telling the story here of the Fairy who lives in the doll house. One such moment made me tear up. Loved her happy Irish dancing. Sean Faris as the uncle turned dad is a familiar face and does an adequate job. I watched this about 4 years ago and this second time it seemed better. The high 7.0 rating probably comes from the nature of the story a little girl (Holly) loses her mother and as a result has stopped talking. The Christmas theme seems a bit forced in this story.
Add a Review
-
gehewe12 November 2018
-
degrimstead-122 December 2021I know these Xmas movies are not for everyone (mainly because most are so by-the-book and lamely acted), but this is one I can highly recommend. Highlights are the beautiful scenery (it takes place in Friday Harbor, WA so features nice island and water views) - an unusual, appealing story - not just one but THREE very handsome young men who are actually good actors - a very pretty and appealing young woman - real chemistry between the couple - one of the cutest kids ever in these Hallmark movies - and a lovely final scene with Christmas sailboats and a full moon.
-
MartianOctocretr527 July 2014The opening scene with the bride left at the altar was unnecessary and appeared to be way out of place; it gives you a false impression of what the movie's plot will be. Fortunately, the direction the movie takes is much better than what you'd expect from the awkward opening.
The back story of the young mother who recently passed away, on the other hand, would have been useful but that's the omitted story you only learn bits of from dialog. Her daughter Holly in the grief of her loss, shut down and became non-verbal. Custody of the child was given to the youngest of her three uncles as per her mother's will.
The highlight is the acting of the twin sisters who play Holly; very sweet and the character is very sympathetic. The struggles her guardian uncle is facing in learning "on the job" to raise her work well in the story. The constant arguing of the uncles was somewhat annoying, but those issues are resolved and the story ends up being stronger for it. Finally, there is a romance that develops involving the shop owner (the abandoned bride) and the couple interact well together.
The fact it's set at Christmas time is a superfluous throw-away. This story could have been set with any backdrop.
The interaction of the characters works well, and although the plot doesn't have much dramatic conflict, there are some scenes that are very heartwarming to see, mostly those that feature Holly. -
asascy7 February 2013I have read other reviews posted, saying it was sappy with uninteresting characters and I say, NOT! If you are the type of person who attends film festivals and thrives on subtitles, maybe so. If you just need a plain old fashioned heart warming tale, this is it! Needless to say, I purchased it for my collection. I am a hopeless romantic and I love Christmas, so this was a given. I think it is a wonderful story of love lost and love found, of family trials and the enduring spirit of a families ties. I say give it a chance and you will not leave without shedding a tear or bursting out in joyous laughter. I have five brothers, so the brother scenes are a hoot! Break out the popcorn and tissues!
-
vchimpanzee10 December 2012You don't have to be Alex to know where this is going.
Holly is adorable even when she doesn't speak or even smile. There's just something about her.
The main characters are appealing enough. Sean Faris and Eloise Mumford (who looks like Katherine Heigl to me) do a good enough job for Lifetime. This is a Hallmark Hall of Fame production, though, but they're okay. Catherine Berube as the voice of reason probably does the best job of anyone.
The town is one of those pleasant small towns, but with a little more culture than Mayberry. The people there are nice for the most part.
The best moments involve Maggie and Holly and that tiny house where the fairy lives.
And Maggie can Riverdance!
It's a nice Christmas story, even of it doesn't quite reach the level of a Hallmark production. -
closesquarters16 December 2012First off... best film with a basset hound. Loved Olive.
Secondly and more importantly. Great job Eloise! You seem to have great emotional screen presence! Hope you have a great future in film. Will be watching for you. Keep up the good work!
Sean Faris - are you a stunt double for Tom Cruise or what? You gotta lose the Tom Cruise look dude! You did a great job... but get a different look please. I think its mostly the hair-do in this flick that does you wrong.
Hallmark films are mostly corny to me... but that makes them fun as well. Not a bad movie for family time. -
marelisafabrega25 November 2018For me, the Hallmark Christmas movies are either hit or miss. Most are so cringeworthy, I stop watching after 5 minutes. Not this one. I really enjoyed watching "Christmas With Holly". The actors are all good, and the plot was interesting. The atmosphere on the island-town is Christmassy, and there's even a Christmas miracle--or two. I'm glad I watched it, and would recommend it to others.
-
Racingphan21 November 2020Sean Faris is phenomenal. Eloise Mumford is gorgeous and emotionally moving. This story about a little girl who has lost her Mom is one of the best Hallmark has produced. The actors that play the brothers have an amazing chemistry.
-
geisesanja9 December 2019I was so distracted by the Tom Cruise and Kathryn Heigl look-a-likes, played by the two main characters, that I had to force myself to try to figure out what was going on. What will trigger the little girl to talk? What will trigger the romance? Where can I get that AWESOME fairy treehouse thing? My grown up daughters would love it! And then there's a lovable basset hound. Gorgeous setting. Toy store! Coffee and donut shop. It's all there. I'm sure I saw the Tom Cruise guy in one of the newer films but he just looks too much like the big star to survive. The hair, the smile. The 'Interview With the Vampire' sometimes scary grin. If you can get past all of that, enjoy. But I didn't like it enough to watch it again.
-
missemili-3857810 September 2018Love, love, love this film. I watch it every holiday season multiple times! Keeps perfectly in tone with what Hallmark has always been known for, perfectly simplistic heartfelt movies. And olive the Basset Hound is truly adorable, too!
-
kenthegreek4710 December 2012I enjoyed the movie. Though the cynical might call it "cheesy," and all-too-predictable in its plot line, it's a heartwarming holiday story and a lesson in what it means to be a truly good, caring person, even during hurtful times, and when being good and caring means shouldering a heavy responsibility. I have a MAJOR BEEF with the listing of the actors in the movie's credits, however! The actors who played Mark, Maggie, and EVEN Holly (the TITLE CHARACTER, remember?) are listed at almost the bottom of the credits, while actors who played supporting - and even bit - parts are given TOP billing, or are, at least, ahead of the three main characters! What's up with that, dummies?
-
Jackbv12330 June 2021This movie starts pulling the heartstrings from the first scene where Maggie is left at the altar. (And yes that scene helps establish the mindset of Maggie.) The writers did pile on with sentimental moments. An adorable little girl. And I do mean adorable, and she doesn't speak. There's even a dog, and don't forget the fairy.
Eloise Mumford is well cast in this role. She and Sean Farris connect and Mumford also with Josie Gallina as Holly. Both relationships are part of the appeal of this movie.
I don't think anyone has any doubts about where the story is going, but that doesn't matter. You know what's coming but that doesn't make it any less heartwarming. It's great to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
This story is as much about family as it is a romance. Unfortunately the Maggie/Mark part of the story is a little bit rushed. In the 90 minute TV movie format, it had to be, and I can't see how the could have shortened anything else.
The uncles/brothers throw in some goofiness. And there's some other funny moments like Maggie tripping off the curb and the aftermath.
Side note: Mumford and Farris team up a few years later in A Veteran's Christmas. Of the four Hallmark movies to date, I think this is Mumford's best. -
eprusulis15 December 2020This was a great Christmas movie every actor and actress in this movie was great there chemistry between all of them was phenomenal the twins who played the little girl Holly they were incredible especially for how young they were it was a great script it was a little different than most Christmas Hallmark Christmas movies in a good way
-
ap-8788329 November 2018A truly magical Christmas movie. Brilliant acting and an enchanting story ! Thank you for giving us this heartwarming experience.
-
IslandGal095625 October 2015If I could, I'd give this movie a 10-plus vote! In a word, it's *MAGICAL*.
I bought the DVD and I watch it from time to time *throughout the year*! (most frequently during the winter holiday season).
This is a truly uplifting, *feel good* movie.
I loved and understood how Holly bonded with her Uncle Alex. Growing up, Alex had apparently been picked on and made fun of (presumably because he was an extremely bright science nerd), which made him feel like an outsider. Holly was only 6 when she lost her mother, stopped talking, and in her grief withdrew from those around her and became an outsider.
So, it's not surprising that when Holly begins to speak again and she's asked which of the three Nagel brothers is her "favorite uncle", she looks at each of them carefully, then breaks out into a smile and declares "Uncle Alex" !! I also liked how the initially cantankerous relationships among the three Nagel brothers gradually evolved into kindness, understanding and respect.
Scott, who owns his own construction company and is juggling his job with remodeling his own house, starts out as grouchy and gruff. Alex seems to be a perpetual student, working on a Dissertation in marine biology, funded by academic grants. Mark, the youngest of the three, co-owns the local coffee house in Friday Harbor and is Holly's legal guardian -- but as Cara, Mark's business partner, points out -- Mark is "more than that".
There are so many heart-warming scenes throughout this movie, but one of my favorite moments is a funny one -- it's the scene on the staircase in Scott's house when Alex and Holly are sitting next to each and he turns to Holly and says "don't go in my room" !! The look on Holly's face is priceless! -
duku6524 December 2019Three brothers are cast well and very believable in their interactions. Love the characters. Little girl is adorable & has wonderful facial expressions.
-
wlhawk-9186017 July 2020This will be one of those movies that you want to watch each year... Sentimental and endearing as the youngest of three brothers is left as the guardian to his young niece when his sister passed. The movie explores what could really happen to an entire family when tradegy strikes and how they can come back together when it counts. The supporting cast is great and Kenda to the credibility of the lead characters. Great movie!
-
TheLittleSongbird12 April 2022Really did like the premise for 'Christmas with Holly', no make that love. It sounded so moving and you know a film does something right when its premise immediately connects with you even before watching like it did with me. This premise connected with me personally, which is already something in its favour. Something that has not been the case for any film in a while. Well certainly not the case for a Hallmark film in a while, not since 'Once Upon a Christmas Miracle'.
'Christmas with Holly' wholly lived up to its premise and the high expectations had (actually did have higher expectations for it than most Hallmark Christmas films). While not a flawless film, it was very well done. Out of a fairly unimpressive year for Hallmark, 'Christmas with Holly' to me is definitely one of the best Hallmark Christmas films for that year. Also one of their best Christmas outings seen in quite some time, as well as one of their most emotional and personal.
Is it perfect? No. Perhaps a bit slow in the early stages, with it taking a while to get started.
Also didn't care for the ambiguous feeling the ending has, it just felt too abrupt and there may be a little bias as it is not the sort of ending that does much for me.
There is a huge amount to like about 'Christmas with Holly' however. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are simply beautiful. A lot of Hallmark's Christmas films suffer from being over-scored, meaning being too constantly used and too loud. That isn't so big a problem here. The script is a lot less cheesy and schmaltzy than most Hallmark Christmas films and did find it very sincere, very affecting and that it never sounded awkward. It is also not over-serious, with a light hearted-ness that was very appealing.
Furthermore, that the story departed from the usual Hallmark Christmas film formula and took on a more serious, a more personal and more true to life situation. There is nothing cheesy or over-sentimental in how this subject is handled either, it came over as truly poignant, heart-warming and well meaning and also with a good deal of warmth. Really did connect with the story emotionally. And the same with the characters. The acting is strong, with a heartfelt Eloise Mumford standing out.
Overall, very well done. 8/10. -
What A Delight, Heart Warming Christmas Movie by Hallmark. **** May contain spoiler**** The story starts little slow but story DOES BUILD UP and gives you a good smile. It gives a joy to watch family members struggles but unites and discover value of a family. After Sister dies, her daughter was given to the youngest brother, who used to be the favorite, to take care. With mother's tragic death, little girl doesn't talk nor smile. This brother has now given a goal that most priority is his niece and do anything to make her smile and talk again. As story goes on, there's young lady who had bad relationship moves to this town to open a new toy shop. she fumbles into this brother and his niece time to time and eventually the one falls in love and make little girl to talk and put a smile back in her face. Even though it starts bit slow, it wasn't boring but appreciated the value of the story. Couple thing wanted to mention is, like other viewer, this young man does look lot like Tom Cruise and the your lady is more like Michelle Pfeiffer, WOW, REALLY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT^^
-
Kirpianuscus23 December 2017A good adaptation ? off course ! a Christmas film ? yes. and no. it could be defined as revelation, surprise, moving experience. for so many reasons. first - for Sean Faris escaping from the clothes of Never Back Down and Pearl Harbour. and giving a real good performance. the second - for the science to be more than the expected Christmas romance/comedy of season. dramatic, delicate, smart, credible, sweet and clever. not the last - for the house of Nagle brothers. and for the translation of chemistry of lead characters by actors. a film preserving the original recipes. but using it in real, real inspired manner. so, see it !
-
Dan1863Sickles10 December 2012For those who don't know, "Christmas With Holly" is based on the novel "Christmas Eve At Friday Harbor" by romance author Lisa Kleypas.
Although she's not widely known outside of romance novel fandom, insiders acclaim Kleypas as the Babe Ruth, the Dale Earnhardt Sr. or even the Michael Jordan of historical romance. She's a superstar with a huge following. While her greatest novels tend to be historicals -- LADY SOPHIA'S LOVER, WORTH ANY PRICE, SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME -- this television movie gives a fair example of her storytelling magic.
After her fiancée dumps her, gorgeous, innocent Maggie travels to Friday Harbor, a remote island off the coast of Washington, to open her own toy store. She soon meets Mark Nagle, a befuddled bachelor, and his niece Holly, an adorable first grader who stopped talking after the tragic death of her mother. All ends happily in time for Christmas.
While the gorgeous cast really nails Lisa Kleypas' mixture of gentle childlike wonder and heartwarming romance (watch the scene where Maggie shows Holly the inside of her magic dollhouse) it's sort of frustrating that the darker, steamier side of Lisa Kleypas' artistry will probably never make it to the big screen. Every time I watch MAD MEN I picture Jon Hamm as Nick Gentry and Christina Hendricks as Charlotte Worth in a HARD R version of WORTH ANY PRICE. But they'll never make that movie! The problem with Lisa Kleypas is that in her really great novels, all of the action happens when the lights are out. -
VetteRanger4 December 2022Our lead couple here is a young man whose dying sister designated him as guardian for her daughter, and a young woman left at the altar. They both move to the same island in the Pacific northwest ... he to return home and she to open a business.
The orphaned girl hasn't spoken since her mother died, and her "new dad" (no mention of what happened to her real dad) move them in with his two brothers in a house the eldest brother is renovating.
Eloise Mumford is one gorgeous lady, and Sean Faris looked for all the world like a young Tom Cruise in this movie. His hair style couldn't have been a coincidence. LOL They make a great looking couple even though the scenes between them are a bit sparse for the level of romance indicated at the end.
Still, the real point of the movie is the healing process for Holly, the little girl, and how "Maggie" and the three brothers combine their love and understanding to bring her back out to participate in life again.
Very touching and worth more than one watch. -
MickyG33324 December 20228.0 stars.
This is the story of a little girl who doesn't talk after her mother died, and her uncle (lead male) is the one left to raise her. Next we have a beautiful woman (lead female) who was abandoned at the altar. What remains are two deeply hurting and damaged females. This movie primarily involves how they help each other through their emotional struggles.
First ingredient of a great film is that the leads radiate great charm and presence. The little girl is a great actress of few words. The romance between the leads is quite fulfilling, although very brief, and the chemistry is strong. His brothers are hilariously strange and endearing. Her sister is also quite charismatic. All of these characters blend together to bring about a fully entertaining and somewhat wistful tale.
I love this movie, and I'll venture a guess that you will too. Grab the tissue box. -
"Christmas with Holly" is that rare film in which everything clicks and fits superbly. The plot, director, cast, crew and filming all excel. The story comes from a 2010 novel by best-selling author Lisa Kleypas, "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor." Kleypas has written more than 50 historical and contemporary romance novels. But this is her first and only film to date made into a movie.
Billed as a drama, family and romance, this film is so much more than that. It's a love story that brings brothers together, healing for several, and friendship, family and love of kindred souls. And, it is done with a touch of humor gently spread throughout. The story takes place in Seattle and Friday Harbor which is located on San Juan Island proper. It is the largest of the San Juan Islands that are part of the state of Washington but that sit off the mainland in the waters between Vancouver Island, north of Puget Sound and south of the Straits of Georgia.
Six-year-old Holly lost her mother a few months ago, and hasn't said a word since. Holly was born out of wedlock, and by six she had met and was endeared to her mom's three brothers - uncles Scott, Alex and Mark. Victoria had willed the guardianship of Holly to Mark, who had also been living for a time in Seattle, although he still owned a coffee shop back home. Because of problems in school, with Holly not speaking, Mark decides to move back to Friday Harbor and put her in school there. They would live with Scott who is renovating their family's grand Victorian home.
While this was taking place, somewhere across Seattle, Maggie Conway had been stood up at the altar, with a church full of friends. So, with support from her sister, Kate, she decides to get away from the city. She wants to live in the town she and Kate had visited during the summer vacations with their parents. And, with her savings, she opens her fairyland toy and book store. Where else, but in Friday Harbor?
Mark and Maggie bump into one another on the ferry, literally. Within a day or two in town, they bump into one another again. Then it becomes almost routine. While Maggie has been working to get her store open, Mark and Holly have been winning over Uncle Scott at the Nagle house, and also Uncle Alex who has been staying there as well. He is doing marine research and is waiting on a grant for a research project in Maine.
It's not hard, from this point, for anyone to guess how this will turn out. But it's the details of the story that are so endearing as it unfolds and plays out. The brotherly and half-hearted squabbles between Mark, Scott and Alex. Their deep heartstrings for Holly, mutual interest and concern. Holly's slow and slight emergence with her uncles. The natural, very real and believable fatherly warmth and playfulness Mark has with Holly - just the right seriousness, compassion and caring, and happy, playful and reassuring face - at the right times. The genuine and real touch of understanding, kindness, gentleness and encouragement that Maggie has with children, and with Holly especially. How Maggie invites Holly to imagine herself in the fairy doll house. The budding friendships, meeting others and burgeoning affections with and between these people and others in the story. And, the gradual and blooming love between Mark and Maggie, and wonderful touches of humor just in the right places.
When Mark moves back to the island with Holly, he asks Scott to put them up in the family home that Scott is remodeling. "Besides," he says, "you can use an extra hand on the remodel." Scott replies, "Okay, fine. But Holly better be good with a hammer, 'cause I've seen you with tools." And, the funniest scene and exchange in the film is when the three brothers have planned Thanksgiving dinner at home, and Alex is getting ready to prepare the dinner. He looks in the refrigerator and asks, "Where's the turkey?" Scott walks over, opens the freezer door, takes the turkey out and plunks it on the table. Alex says, "You put the fresh turkey in the freezer?" Scott says, "Yep!" And Mark is in the background nearly cracking up.
And the most heartfelt scene is when the brothers and Holly are at home and she's sitting on Scott's shoulders. Holly points to Alex and says, "He's my favorite uncle. So is Uncle Scott." Then she looks at Mark and says, "And do you think you can be my dad?"
The producers did a good job making the film in Nova Scotia, although to Washington and British Columbia residents, the ferry and aerial water scenes won't quite look like the San Juan Islands. I lived many years in the Pacific Northwest and sailed the San Juan and Georgia Islands one summer with friends. I have ridden all the Washington State ferries that operate in the San Juans and Puget Sound, and those that operate from Washington and British Columbia to Vancouver Island. And, I have been to Friday Harbor a couple of times. The movie has a reference to Shelby catching a ferry back to Bellingham, but there is no such ferry. The daily ferry to Friday Harbor operates out of Anacortes, hauling vehicles and pedestrians. There is a direct passenger only ferry, the Seattle-San Juan Clipper, that operates only intermittently between Seattle and Friday Harbor.
This is a great film that families should enjoy far into the future. -
pottsb2915 December 2012I watched this movie on TV when it came out, and came away with rather mixed feelings. On the plus side, most of the characters are likable, and the message about the importance of family is good. On the other hand, there isn't much of a plot, and except for a few moments the movie isn't very interesting. Hallmark has produced excellent movies in the past, such as the year-round "Front of the Class," but "Christmas with Holly" isn't one of them.
There are three characters - Mark, Holly, and Maggie - Who are facing different challenges. Mark has suddenly become the guardian of the young Holly, who lost her mom three months ago. Holly is so upset about the loss of her mom that she won't speak, causing additional trouble for Mark. Maggie was planning on getting married, but her fiancé never showed up at the wedding. All these characters move to the small town of Friday Harbor, WA to start new lives. Maggie opens a new toy store, which is discovered by Holly right away. Mark starts to slowly build a connection with Maggie, but is still in a relationship with someone else - This relationship goes downhill because his girlfriend doesn't like the fact that Holly is now in the picture, and is not happy when she finds out that Mark has made a new friend in town.
All three main characters come together at the end of the story, but the ending is not certain (Holly is speaking again, but you can make up your own story as to what eventually happens with Mark and Maggie).