Christmas Joy (2018 TV Movie) User Reviews (41)

Appealing characters.

[MIssM19 · 6/10 · 20 February 2019]

Familiar formula: girl goes back home and while spending time there she reconnects with people and with the place she grew up in. I can understand why people may have find this a little bit boring and slow.

I liked it. I have seen Danielle before and I've always enjoyed watching her act. Matt, however is new to me. And their chemistry was amazing. Honestly, they lack the "perky" trait we are so used to in these movies, but the relationship seemed real. The storyline is plain, nothing surprising. I mean, do these events really happen during Christmas in real life?

Danielle and Matt's acting made Joy and Ben's personas believable. And that was appealing.

Nice & Sweet

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 17 June 2019]

Review Date 6/15/2019

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.

Joy Holbrook is an intuitive market researcher in DC who has captured the attention of the account's CEO and is about to get a sweet promotion, just in time for the holidays. She receives an urgent phone call from home and she rushes back to Crystal Falls, NC to help her Aunt recover from surgery and is reunited with her former crush, Ben. To keep her Aunt focused on healing, Joy volunteers to take Ruby's place with the town's legendary baking competition, the "Cookie Crawl," much to the amusement of Ben who knows Joy has absolutely no idea of the Herculean task before her.

Now the reviews are all over the place but what the film does best is having "Christmas Spirit". I also love the fact they didn't make the lead a hard headed business woman. I also love the fact at the end you realize that this film celebrates women helping other women.

Very Good Film. I was impressed!

Joy that could have been cooked through more

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 24 November 2020]

'Christmas Joy' did have potential. The premise was very appealing, not the most original on the block but it sounded very cute and charming. And there have been a fair share of Hallmark Christmas films that have been both of those things. Have overtime been seeing as many Hallmark Christmas films as possible, some are a lot better than others but this is not coming from somebody that hates Christmas or dismisses Hallmark straight off the bat.

More could have been done with the premise in my view in 'Christmas Joy'. It is a long way from wasted, it wasn't raw at least. It could have been cooked through more. It is not one of the best Hallmark Christmas films or one of the worst, and when it comes to their 2018 output it's towards the better half in what was a very mixed year fot them. Personally didn't think that 'Christmas Joy' was great but it was a long way from terrible, actually quite liked it while not loving it.

Am going to start with the good things, as there is more of them than there are bad. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are beautiful. Danielle Panabaker is an amiable female lead, it was great too to have a female lead character that didn't irritate or have their flaws over-emphasised (too many Hallmark films make that mistake), and Matt Long once his characters becomes more likeable is charming as well. The two work beautifully together and look at ease with each other, their relationship is prominent and develops more realistically than most other similar relationships with Hallmark.

On the most part, the characters didn't bore or irritate and the supporting characters seemed to be having fun. The script is not too cheesy or schmaltzy in my view and doesn't sound awkward. The story is heart-warming, is light-hearted, doesn't come over as too serious and is moving without being sugary sweet.

Do think that more emphasis could have been had on the cooking aspect, that was underused. Likewise, there could have been less of the music score and it could have been a lot more subtly handled in a film that sounded too over-scored. Ben was not likeable to begin with, it was hard to see what people saw in him with such a jerk-ish and uptight attitude. Thankfully this lessened when he was developed more.

The story is flawed, one should know that the Hallmark films are not to be seen if you want a Grade A story. It at least is not bland but it is very predictable, due to a done to death formula lacking freshness, and has dull stretches. Some suspension of disbelief is needed later on, such as how too easily everything is resolved.

In conclusion, above average but didn't strike me as great. 6/10

a sparkle

[Kirpianuscus · 1 December 2020]

The basic virtue - the three ladies : Beverly Elliot,Susan Hogan and especially the adorable Danielle Panabaker. Second - the simplicity and high predactibility of the story. Not the last - something giving toMatt long credibility as Ben Andrews. A so familiar Hallmark Christmas film giving the presence and performance of Daniele Panabaker as the inspired sparkle.

Quite Pleasant

[rebekahrox · 6/10 · 4 November 2018]

Danielle Panabaker as Joy was very pleasant and a competant actress. She had a real girl next door Vibe which I appreciate. However, Matt long made this movie. He was simply adorable. Nothing all that special, yet nothing to fill one with contempt or distress either.

Romance?

[nemman63 · 6/10 · 25 December 2019]

First off the good: The lead actress was adorable. Picture perfect for the role. I was definitely interested pretty quickly in her story line.

The problem was there was ZERO chemistry with the leading man, and I saw no hope that there ever would be. I am sure the actor is fine, but the character he was playing - well: he had no guy friends, his friends were his parents and little old ladies (including Joy's aunt), he likes to bake, decorate, do interior designing and party planning, making ginger bread houses, and talking a lot about feeling and memories... He didn't seem to have any hobbies, interests or passions that would be considered traditionally male oriented. He just liked to hang out with the old ladies and do their kind of things. uh... well he did drive a pickup truck, so umm I guess he could be interested in a woman... maybe... Platonically. I don't know why they have him in the flannel shirt on the cover, because I don't think he wore anything other than fitted sweaters and slacks the entire movie. I seriously cannot even imagine them ever sharing a bedroom.

I often root for the nice guys and feel bad when they get jilted for the rich CEO or childhood sweetheart in these movies, but I honestly found myself hoping this guy was just a placeholder until the local fireman or outdoorsy neighbor guy took notice of her and her stunning beauty. No such luck...

She did say all her romances just fizzled, so maybe she is just saving time and going with no flame right from the start.

So much potential... Oh well. I hope to see her in more of these types of roles.

Chips Ahoy!

[ringosshed · 6/10 · 14 December 2019]

I would crawl over a pack of McVitties chocolate digestives for Danielle! She was lovely in this. It was so nice seeing her give up a big city job for the prestigious cookie crawl. North Carolina is finally portrayed in a wholesome way and not the opium addicted place we know from the news. Christmas garlands for all. Even Matt who was very slow to move even when her dough was stirring.

Small Town Dull

[moho-40260 · 7/10 · 8 November 2018]

As I've said before I am a sucker for Hallmark movies, especially at Christmas. But this one was just plain silly. Where to start? I don't think I've seen this actress in other HM movies and if she doesn't make any more appearances, it's no loss. Her "acting" was very wooden and emotionless in her lines. She had silly facial expressions and for me was just not believable. I did like Matt Long and he deserved a far better lead actress. He was adorable, however, a little young to be a hospital administrator (I work in a hospital and none are that young :) ). Also, I had a couple of problems with the sets. Speaking of the hospital, the exterior looked more like a motor lodge. I couldn't understand the lay out of the aunt's house either. It seemed too huge for one person to live there never mind hosting the town cookie crawl with several large Christmas trees inside of the house. Also, HM needs to do better with their plotlines with the older woman falling down so the younger one can come help. This was done in Pumpkin Pie Wars and others, which if I thought hard enough I could name, but c'mon, HM. Young people trip and fall, too. I did like the end where the green star shone in the sky. That was a nice ode to one of the beloved characters.

So far, HM hasn't had a great start, but there's over 20 of them, some will be better than others. Right now, this one is on my naughty list.

Danielle is so great!

[stephdawg11 · 10/10 · 5 November 2018]

Danielle Panabaker is so great of an actress. I love Hallmark using her more. I hope she becomes a regular soon! She's natural & actually believable. She makes everything captivating! Loved he theme of the crawls & contests!

Danielle

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 1 December 2020]

I'm going mostly on memory here since I was surprised I had no review for this after rewatching the last third.

This is a pretty average story with familiar themes. Big city girl goes home to help out with a Christmas event and wonders if she really is a big city girl. Of course she gets thrown together with an old friend and ends up with more than she bargained for in two events, not just one. Meanwhile her boss makes her work from home too. A promotion is at stake.

The chemistry was OK between the leads, but Matt Long lacked spark. Danielle Panabaker is not a flashy actress but she is so real and fits right in with the family themes. I wish she'd do more like this but maybe Flash keeps her busy. (Can you believe Caitlin Frost got slowed up by snow on the roads of all things?) I just feel cozy watching her. No arrogance, not even at the start. Humble competence.

No big highs or lows or surprises. Inevitable ending and Hallmark likes to tie up all the loose ends.

Too much music playing over all the dialogue!!!!

[jennigee75 · 4/10 · 26 December 2018]

Would not have been too bad if it weren't for the music playing in the background even when the actors were talking .It was constant and very distracting.

Wonderful movie!!!

[vantamn2 · 10/10 · 4 November 2018]

This is one movie that hit home!!! Absolutely love the NC ties. Great story. Highly recommend. Wonderfully acted and written. In a world of chaos, we need these simple, downhome stories to remind us about what really matters: family. Don't miss out on this one.

Better than average!

[kz917-1 · 6/10 · 15 July 2019]

Danielle Panabaker and Matt Long co-star in this film where they find themselves co-charing the Christmas Cookie Crawl.

It's a Christmas movie with baking. Several times Joy (Panabaker) is really, really aggravating. But the actors pull the movie off nicely.

Enjoyable.

Maybe bake a new batch...

[RenT-83065 · 5/10 · 20 July 2019]

I can't decide if I love or hate this movie. I find myself watching it when it's on but I'm irritated the entire time. I like the actors but so many things are written in such an annoying way.

1. Why is Ben such an a-hole to Joy the minute they run into each other and throughout? He's almost un-likeable. His digs at Joy being a city girl, and taking offense because she offers to pay for his services are just rude. Plus, how he arrogantly rattles off all the cookies needed for the cookie crawl (we'll get to that later...) How she sees past this to find him attractive are beyond me. 2. How does the aunt, a 4-year winner, not have a plan for this cookie crawl weeks, if not months, in advance? If it means so much to her where was all the pre-planning vs waiting a week before Christmas 🤔 3. Why doesn't Joy just ask the aunt what theme to use? She's got blueprints of previous years. She can't just tell Joy what to do? Again 🤔 4. I think the words "cookie crawl" are WAY overused in this movie. It's sooooo annoying after about 30 minutes. 5. Why are there so, so, SO many digs at working/living in the city? Doesn't Hallmark ever get tired of (insert reason) someone has to return to their small town, ho-hum life, said someone runs into old flame then must give up everything they worked hard for so they can conveniently uproot their life and move back to the place they avoided for years? Ugh....I love Hallmark but it's time for new story lines that don't shame women for being successful!!

I'm typing this while watching the movie. Overall, feels like a batch of cookies that aren't quite right but you eat them anyway.

Boots!!!

[LtlHippo · 6/10 · 23 November 2019]

Agree that it wasn't anything special but I liked the leads, nice to see someone other than Candace, Danica and Lacey. But when the Aunt was coming home, it was snowing, icy out and the aunt who just broke her ankle (no surgery, no cast??????) was walking into the house with shoes on and not boots! UGH

Christmas Joy

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 6/10 · 20 July 2019]

6/10 - nothing really wrong with it, but easily forgettable

A little off the beaten path

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 18 January 2023]

7.4 stars.

I don't know what to make of this movie. The leads have a weird chemistry, but it kinda works. It seems the whole town is rooting for them to get together, but there are too many other factors that interfere.

There is an outrageous cookie contest and a separate gingerbread contest, and the whole story gets smothered in cookie contest craziness. There seems to be no more depth to this whole adventure than these overblown competitions which overshadow everything that is truly important about Christmas. In other words, we lose lose focus on what's important.

There are some odd camera angles, and these are shared with equally strange segues and musical numbers. It's an odd Hallmark movie that much is certain. But the chemistry grows, the characters are likable, and the story has a main theme, which I interpreted to be: don't let fear get in the way of love.

Sweet

[chanttelle-39083 · 6/10 · 12 December 2021]

Actors were great, very real and less over the top than some of these movies. Great chemistry between leads.

I love these Hallmark movies, always comforting.

My one complaint is can Hallmark stop with the whole city living career woman = bad. So many movies where the woman moves back home for the love of a man, is getting tired.

They have chemistry! Worth watching.

[idozah · 9/10 · 4 November 2018]

For me the chemistry is important when I'm looking at Hallmark movies and this movie has a lot. Christmas and decorations everywhere, I loved it. I love the leads too, nice match. For sure I will watch the movie again soon.

Not well-done...more of a Medium-rare

[Lew777 · 5/10 · 9 November 2018]

The best thing about the movie is probably Matt Long who plays the part of Ben , the Hospital Administrator ( although you never see him working !). His role was played with effervescence & freshness . Danielle Panabaker wasn't bad as Joy, though she did have some weird facial expressions. The story was pretty lightweight, even for Hallmark. A Cookie Crawl and Gingerbread Contest isn't going to uproot any story trees anytime soon ! The DC story about a Dept store, Weathertons thinking about expanding was more plausible. It passes the time well enough but it's a reasonable snack not a big juicy steak !

Better than most

[ambie719 · 9/10 · 20 November 2018]

A really nice way to spend a couple hours. Good story but its the leads who make this one so charming.

missed fun cooking sequence

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 20 July 2019]

Joy Holbrook (Danielle Panabaker) runs a market research group for the Washington DC Weatherton store which is noticed by the store CEO Poppy Weatherton. Her work piles up as she is promised a promotion. Then her aunt Ruby takes a fall and she promises to take over the Cookie Crawl back in their hometown of Crystal Falls, NC. Ruby is best friends with Ben Andrews (Matt Long)'s mother and they even forced them to go on a date once when Ben came home from college. Nevertheless, Joy refuses help from Ben until the work from both the store and the baking starts to overwhelm.

With so much imaginary baking, this movie needs some Lucille Ball physical comedy. There is surprisingly little on-screen baking. It's only until the big rescue when the cooking montage begin and it's not fun anyways. It's missing a fun section when Joy and Ben bumble their way in the kitchen. I don't expect much from these Hallmark Christmas specials but they shouldn't miss the easiest shots. They should at least know enough to take those shots. I do like the simple progression of the romance. This is nothing special and it missed its chance to have a few more fun with the premise.

Great Movie

[dnkanderson · 10/10 · 16 December 2018]

I loved both actors playing the main characters. they had great chemistry and the story was very believable!!

Disappointment

[caryohkey · 2/10 · 21 November 2018]

Couldn't watch the whole movie. So disappointed in many of the hallmark movies this year. I record the Christmas movies and watch them all year long. Many of this year's schedule are dull and I can't get past 20 minutes.

Overall very good

[chrisandmeganmoore · 8/10 · 2 January 2019]

Danielle Panabaker and Matthew Long are two of my favorite underrated actors so I was really excited for this Hallmark movie. Sadly, there is still the whole theme of the female lead should quit her job to follow a guy. At least they had good chemistry and it causes happy feelings.