Tails of Christmas

I actually watched this a month ago, but I held off reviewing. Then I saw all the tens and thought I had the wrong movie.

No mistake.

Well, we're all entitled to our opinion. Mine is this movie is barely a five.

It stars Ash Tsai as a young woman who operates an animal shelter, and Eric Guilmette as an embittered veteran who begins volunteering there.

There's not a great deal of story here, but it is, unfortunately, one of those GAC movies in which the actors are stiff, wooden and amateurish...at times painfully so.

You really have to be able to get past that to watch some of these. Clearly several people did.

I can understand that. Ash Tsai was in another movie last year I gave a similar review and doubted I would watch it again. But I was wrong. I did watch it.

I don't see an Academy Award in her future, but she does have an appeal that's hard to describe, and an ever-present sweet smile that makes it ok that she's not yet a great actress.

Guilmmette was much the same. I have seen worse actors refine their craft and become very good, so I will hold out hope for both of them.

All in all not the best year for the Christmas movies, but GAC is getting there. In fact, I think I liked them better than Hallmark this year. First time for everything.

I loved the movie and the backdrop of a rescue organization. I also loved the chemistry of Ash Tsai and Eric Guilmette. Very wholesome story where the lead seems so sweet. I love all the sweaters.

The other actors were also believable but had limited lines. Most of the dialogue is with the romantic couple.

The well behaved retriever was really adorable and a very good actor. The other pets also performed well. The script could have included more pets and that would have been fun. Everyone loves a dog video and a dog in a movie doing funny things is definitely a way to make things go viral. Bad dogs can be fun.

We were looking for a happy, sappy Christmas movie as an escape from our maniacal daily lives. Tails of Christmas had so much promise. A great storyline, a production under the Great American Family banner, wonderful cinematography/stage-direction, well-done background music, good-looking actors, DOGS! What could possibly go wrong?

The acting. That's what went wrong. We've seen better acting in middle-school plays. We didn't make it past the 30-minute mark, it was so cringe-worthy. A shame, really, because we've seen some really well-done GAF Christmas movies this 2024 season. GAF made the mistake of deploying nearly an entire pretty-faced rookie cast on Tails of Christmas that otherwise would've been great with some seasoned actors.

Also, if you want to do a movie with "shelter" dogs, you've got to show the dogs in the shelter barking/going crazy, not sitting there like perfect angels. There are ways to direct around that type of realistic chaos.

I loved the dogs; they were actually my favorite part. I've always been a doggie Mom, and have had many over the years - have 3 right now.

I enjoyed the movie and the storyline. It certainly proved that dogs are good for you, good for the soul, good for healing.

But, the writing and/or the acting could have been much better. The acting seemed so tense, so scripted - like they were just reading lines - not natural at all.

Also, if you've ever visited your local animal shelter - I feel quite certain it looked nothing like the one in this movie. I know for a fact that the 2 in our city don't look like this one did. This one looked like a cute little puppy boutique. Cute, but not realistic.

The Tails of Christmas brings the warmth and spirit of the holiday season to life, beautifully exploring themes of healing, resilience, and love. Eric Guilmette stars as Caleb, an Army veteran facing the physical and emotional challenges of recovery. When he returns home and unexpectedly finds himself volunteering alongside Amber (Ash Tsai) at a local animal shelter, he rediscovers a sense of purpose and forms a connection that goes far beyond gratitude.

Guilmette's portrayal of Caleb is nothing short of transformative. With remarkable authenticity, he transitions from a man struggling with his past to someone rediscovering joy and fulfillment. Each emotion-from pain to hope-rings profoundly true, making Caleb's journey feel incredibly realistic and deeply moving.

With its blend of pets, holiday cheer, and an uplifting love story, The Tails of Christmas is far more than a romance. It's a heartwarming testament to second chances, reminding us that everyone deserves happiness and purpose, even after life's hardest moments. This genuine, feel-good movie is a must-watch, capturing the true essence of the holiday season.