Evergreen is beautiful! A perfect Christmas town! Would have loved to see Ryan and Zoe and more Ashley Williams.
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melindacushmanminish7 April 2019
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6/10 - simply average and not entirely captivating (save for Holly Robinson Peete)
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dsmith-5470631 July 2020It was a fun movie to watch, and the bells ringing at the end made it even more special. But, NO choir EVER practices in robes. Those are reserved for performances or church services.
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elizabeth-peters-292-14799521 December 2020She thinks she needs to get a childhood dream out of her system but could this be the place she could finally settle down. When she starts an ambitious task, she might just need a Christmas miracle, or a hansom stranger! A great follow on movie. Normally I think they go down hill but their is no fear of that with this movie.
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TheSTORY-1.25
This is a wonderful addition to the Christmas In Evergreen Series. Writers, Zac Hug and Rick Garman give the audience a lighthearted and heartwarming Christmas romance with a smidgen on Christmas magic.
They bring us into a town where we would all love to be this Christmastime. Filled with loving and friendly people. Always helpful and open.
Though this town is created from imagination and, in general, unrealistic it is something we want to believe in and that is a hook in itself, especially in this season. It helps us to get out of the ordinariness of our lives.
The strongest element that helps the audience believe are the characters. Each is different, realistic and believable. It's just that no bad people live in Evergreen.
Then when you bring in Nick, the guy who plays Santa every Christmas, who just might be Santa every day, I was fully hooked and my heart was wholly warmed.
theDIRECTION-1.25
Sean McNamara has a good eye for composition and utilises the towns Christmas lights to their maximum potential. They add to the joyous atmosphere and are perfect to frame the leads when they walk through an arch of fairy lights. Everything has a magical feel when the sunsets.
When the sun rises McNamara lets his actors and actresses instil the feeling and emotion in the movie while he frames them perfectly in the scene.
theTEMPO-1.25
As with most films of this ilk, the pace is set at one tempo and McNamara knows the best pace is a jolly trot. This story flows superbly and carries the viewers along to the beautiful, though highly, predictable ending.
theACTING-1.25
Everybody in this Christmas tale gives their best and nobody stands out above the rest. This works brilliantly to add to the believability of the story. Never do you stop to think, hey this can't be real... this never really happens... people are not like this.
theGRATIFICATION-1.25
This is one of those films that I would be happy to watch every Christmastime as it has everything a Christmas film should have. For that reason, I'm happy to recommend this movie to everybody. So turn on the fairy lights, grab the cocoa, settle down, and enjoy.
theSCORE-6.25
Please feel free to come and check my Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Belles list to see where this wonderful tale landed in my ranking. -
linda-plant223 July 2020White painted staircases in the finished shop, and then ....... they're not !!!
Story is good, BUT oh my goodness does Jill Wagner go OTT with her acting - everything is SO exaggerated from the wide eyes, to the arms waving and shrieking. Then there was the stuttering conversation when bewildered. I've seen her in better films, but in this she was annoying. Is she any better than Ashley Williams ? Well, take your pick..... Williams shouts her lines (like we're all deaf !) and Wagner overacts like her life depends on it. So, not much between them. -
cfj-9381425 November 2018First I am a fan of Jill Wagner Hallmark Films. She is always good in.all of them. Second, this movie was so much better than the original "Christmas in Evergreen". Ms. Wagner's character was so relatable throughout the film.and the supporting cast was great. Holly R. Peete's character was much better as well. In the first "Evergreen" film her character was depicted as a whiny character who couldn't get anything done without the lead character's help. Very annoying. Totally opposite in this film and Ms. Wagner and her male lead had good screen chemistry. This movie made me cry at the end because of the side plot relating to the male lead and I look forward to watching this again.next year when Hallmark airs it.
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acborgia8 December 2018This was a sweet and heart warming Christmas movie. However, I had to stop thinking of it as a companion movie to Christmas in Evergreen because there were to many things that didn't make sense. For example, the store Lisa was trying to help didn't seem to exist in the first movie nor its owner. Also said owner was said to have taken over the Christmas celebration from Henry's mom but in the first movie they said it was the first year Allie wasn't doing it and it was a different character that took over. Despite that, Jill Wagner was excellent and I'm greatful this was a movie where it made genuine sense as to why she was returning to Evergreen after so many years away.
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r96sk16 December 2020Practically indistinguishable from the original, which I guess is a plus for a made-for-TV sequel.
'Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa', like the 2017 film, is lacking something. There's again nothing particularly negative about it, it's just missing a thing to turn things up a notch to create a fun festive film. The plot change-up is solid, it doesn't improve upon the first's but it's just as OK.
Jill Wagner is a step up from Ashley Williams, though the latter was good too. Mark Deklin, however, is a step down from Teddy Sears. I didn't buy into the relationship of Lisa (Wagner) and Kevin (Deklin), I didn't sense enough chemistry - same with the secondary love story, featuring Holly Robinson Peete (Michelle). I do like how they did the continuity, at least on the surface, despite the cast changes.
Overall though, like its predessceor, it's too bland. -
LovesMyGarden4 December 2018The original Christmas in Evergreen was excellent. It's become one of my favorite Christmas movies. This sequel, however, just didn't cut it. To eliminate Teddy Sears and minimize Ashley Williams was just wrong. Their acting made the first movie. I was excited to watch this movie, but it was a huge letdown. Don't care to watch again.
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lmgannon225 November 2018This follow up was so much better than last year's Christmas in Evergreen. Jill Wagner was very good in the lead female role, and I love that she looks so natural and doesn't plaster on that awful dark eye makeup and wear the huge false eyelashes that so many other Hallmark ladies do. She lets her natural beauty show through; too bad others don't do the same. Instead, the makeup seems to get thicker and thicker every year. The plot of this follow up was more interesting and the supporting actors that were also in the last movie were better and played a larger part in the movie. The rating I gave was rather high for what this was, but when rating Hallmark movies I only compare with other Hallmark movies as they are in a class of their own. This one didn't make me angry like so many others do, and I didn't cringe once, so I'm happy.
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SnoopyStyle14 July 2019Lisa (Jill Wagner) and Oliver are retail experts in Boston. She takes a quick trip to her hometown of Evergreen. She left as a kid and she finds the beloved general store had closed a year earlier. The store owner had passed away and the mayor is trying to sell it to the right owner. She has a meet-cute with local Kevin Miller (Mark Deklin) over a truck breakdown and hires him to do the remodeling. They find an old key and a 25 year old letter to Santa from KM. Allie is visiting Florida and Michelle gets set up. It's the Evergreen shared universe from Hallmark. That's a good idea if done properly. It needs a stable of regulars with some connecting story elements. It is very Hallmark. You get what is expected and nothing more.
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TheLittleSongbird23 February 2021Contrary to some of the previous reviews respectfully, the first 'Christmas in Evergreen' film didn't quite do it for me while still being a watchable film. Saw 'Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa' out of curiosity, as someone who has been watching Hallmark Christmas films on and off for a while now, somebody who has liked Jill Wagner in other films she's been in and as a big fan of Christmas (a fact probably known by quite a few people now).
There is the debate of whether 'Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa' is better than the first or worse. In my mind, there are a couple of quite big improvements but generally 'Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa' is worse. It is a long way from being a terrible film and has its moments, but it is also not particularly good, has a fair share of major debits (some of which common Hallmark drawbacks) and not one of the films that shows that Hallmark is capable of making a good sequel (it has shown that by the way, just not here).
Am going to start with the good things. Am going to be another person that really liked Wagner here and feel that she is an improvement over Ashley Williams in the previous film. She is charming and gives her all throughout without trying too hard, her character is also very rootable. Hollie Robinson Peete, apart from one part, is fun support. In fact, to me most of the acting was above average considering the material.
Likewise with the production values. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, magical at its best, and the film is very nicely photographed throughout. The music has pleasant moments where it's nostalgically festive.
Was a lot less keen on Mark Deklin, a noticeable minus point difference for 'Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa' being a vastly inferior leading man, who is on the dull and wooden side and lacks charm. The chemistry between him and Wagner has occasional moments but most of the time it's barely there, and when it comes to the development it's both rushed in how too quickly the relationship evolves and also under-baked. The characters are too much like recycled cliches.
Something that is pretty much the case with most of the story too, especially in the final third capped off by the as ever too neat and hastily resolved ending. Everything is obvious and there are too many things that happen too conveniently or come over as contrived. The dialogue has too much awkwardness and over-sentimentality with a lot of cheese thrown in too. The music tends to be too loud and doesn't always gel tonally despite moments.
In conclusion, a bit lacking for me. 4/10 -
Christmas-Reviewer28 April 2019Review Date 4/28/2019
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.
I agree that Ashley Williams is missed. This film however is still well amde and has a compelling story.
In this film Lisa (Wagner) takes a last-minute Christmas trip to her hometown of Evergreen, she finds that the historic general store has been closed. Using her skills as a professional retail designer, Lisa decides to keep local tradition alive and help the good people of Evergreen bring the store back to life.
This film however looks like the same set and street that was used for the film "Christmas Town" -
adamjohns-4257521 December 2020I think this one is better than the first, although I know a lot of people might disagree, but I just think the story has more substance.
Mark Deklin looks pretty good in this one and I prefer Jill Wagner as the leading lady. I think Andrew Francis' character could have been gay to help the LGBT representation that these films so desperately need, but he's not definitely straight either.
The horrible child and the less attractive lead male don't feature in this one, but Allie is back, but don't expect too much from her as it is not a sequel about her at all.
I can actually empathise quite a lot with Sarah in this film, I have always wanted a little shop of my own, something along the lines of "Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium", so I could quite happily settle down in a small town like Evergreen.
I think the moral to most of these stories is to not jump to conclusions in case you haven't heard the whole story. -
rebekahrox10 December 2021Jill Wagner is usually very natural and believable in whatever type of role she takes on. She is always a beacon of maturity and balance. Not so much in this one. She was a bit over-caffeinated and somewhat exhausting. Could it be the influence of being in holly jolly Evergreen?
Lisa, a big city real estate stager decides to briefly go home to Evergreen, the Christmas capitol of the world, or at least Hallmarkland. She is disappointed to see Daisy's Country Store out of business and up for sale and learns that the VIP citizens of the town are scared that a big conglomerate will buy it and put up a McDonald's or something in the middle of their picturesque little Christmas village. Haven't they ever heard of Zoning laws? And how to use them? Lisa decides to stage the store to make it a more attractive investment for someone who will keep it the way it was. And presumably everyone else who won't as well? She hires handsome Kevin, a famous contractor, who is visiting his Dad in Evergreen. To help. They transform the dilapidated store, but the prospective buyers fall through. Eventually she gets her and Oliver, her business partner and BFF 's number one client, Polly, to visit and hopefully buy the store. She OOhs and AAhs but doesn't bite, but wants Oliver and Lisa to work for her exclusively. They are thrilled at the opportunity. Kevin hears about it and decides to leave town. Also, Kevin, who doesn't realize Oliver is gay, thinks Lisa and Oliver are "together." Of course Oliver's sexual orientation is not stated because it is way back in 2018 before Gay people existed in Hallmarkland. But when Lisa falls in a snowbank laughing hysterically (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! NONONONONONONONO!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!) at the prospect of her and Oliver hooking up, we get the idea.
Anyway, Lisa and Kevin reconcile and Lisa buys the store herself. Christmas miracles abound but not without the help of the magic snow globe (see movie #1) a mysterious key to something or other, and a 25 year old letter to Santa that went astray and didn't make it to the North Pole. -
texasfolk24 November 2018Penny and Lind as casting directors have done it again. The director pulled emotion out of his actors. Every shot was pleasing to the eye. Kudos to the editors. Great acting. Great actors. It tugged st my Heartstrings like a puppet. Typical Hallmark Up and down emotional roller coaster. Best compliment - it gave me Goosebumps at the end - and something was in my eye. REAL Love is in the air again. Au is for gold. Ki should be on the periodic table for kissing. That's because there was chemistry between the actors and actresses. Finally. More Ashley Williams please. I liked it just as much as the original. Thanks Hallmark.
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caryohkey21 November 2018I tried to like it. I just think the story was not exciting.
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titi-372428 September 2019If not better, the story line was very good, got to know most of the town people and Jill and Mark did an excellent job..waiting for #3...
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Luvhallmark10 December 2018To me, this movie was so boring! The original with Ashley Williams was so adorable. I like JW but I'm not a huge fan ... I thought the chemistry between her and the male lead was non existent! In my opinion, they should've had all the original actors continue on in the second installment! HRP's "anxiety attack" was laughable, wow, the acting was not believable at all- so silly. Sorry but this was a snooze fest for me! Would not watch it again.
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byrnes-8595514 January 2020I absolutely love Jill Wagner's movies and this by far was the best of that Evergreen Christmas movies. It is funny it is romantic it has got all the Christmas spirit you need.
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This is the second of three Evergreen movies, and by far was the stinker of the bunch. A small cameo by Ashley and no Teddy Sears was a let down. And yes, you had town members from the first movie performing similar roles, but the leads just did not sell this movie. I enjoy Jill Wagner in other Hallmark movies, Deklin not soo much, but this movie lacked the couple chemistry to overcome a weak story line.
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nelliereyes19 November 2018Beautifully made Christmas movie. So warm when the whole town pitches in to get an 'Old Store' reopened because they all have childhood memories of the place. The romance is warm and magical.
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Marynewcomb201314 December 2018I see some reviews on here that are unreliable!! One that said it's better than the first has only reviewed three movies since 2015!! This was no where near as good as the first!! Not just because the original star had a small roll & no boyfriend for Ashley's character but because it lacks what the first one was, heart!! It's like they mostly focused on the town & store that was never mentioned in the first!! Also, they focused on the truck, making sure it was a centerpiece!! They didn't focus on the characters as much!! Every time I watch the first one, (got the dvd) it makes me cry in a good way. This movie did not make me feel happy for the leads!! Didn't feel the chemistry between the two leads either!! This is at best, a 5 Star movie!! Hopefully if they do a third, they will bring back the main cast from the first one!!
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catfarmer135821 November 2018This movie is pretty cute hallmark. A little over dramatic, but still cute. I love the hallmark Christmas look in Vermont for sure and I'm happy that the movie has a slight diverse cast. Personally I didn't like the leafing man and I think she should've ended up with her best friend. But oh well.