Christmas Town

This might possibly be my favorite hallmark Christmas movie to date. Candace Cameron Bure was her usual fabulous self, but what really got to me was the wonderful tale of foster care and adoption that was woven throughout this story. Don't worry there is plenty of Christmas activities and Christmas decorations...and a love story, but what made this "more" besides the well rounded cast creating what felt like honest friendship was the lesson about what makes a family and how important and special that is to a child in the foster care system. (FYI: Candace's hair looked fabulous in this film.) If you want a feel good Christmas movie that might make you cry, but in a good way...this could be the film for you!

Saw 'Christmas Town' namely because Christmas is my favourite time of year, always has been and always will be without fail, with so many fond memories associated with it. It was also one of many Christmas films seen for the first time this year, and most released this year, to have a change from the usual traditions (while still continuing those of course) and to distract myself from all the health difficulties suffered this year.

This Christmas film quest (and my next batch of reviews are going to be for the films in question, so a Christmas film review project) has been a mixed bag, some have been surprisingly good, some watchable if average and some mediocre or less. 'Christmas Town' turned out to be one of the better films in this quest. Not a masterpiece in any shape or form and won't be a personal favourite, but it did well with what it set out to do, didn't try to do more than needed and at least seemed to know what to do with itself. This is coming from somebody who loves film, television of all genres and decades, so somebody that aims to have as varied a film taste as possible.

'Christmas Town' is not for those that dislike cliche overload, with most of the characters and situations as cliched as they come it does make things very predictable.

Others have picked up too on the lack of realism understandably, some sloppy attention to detail here regarding the cat, the permanent address situation. Tim Rozon is also a bit bland and his performance could have done with more emotion.

Anybody that wants their hearts warmed and wants to be charmed for a couple of hours, while seeing something inoffensive and something different on the television are likely though to find much to like about 'Christmas Town'. The odd parts of sloppy editing aside, the film looks quite good with a quite picturesque setting that makes one want to be there. The soundtrack creates nostalgia and puts a smile on the face.

While the dialogue is not what one would call amazing, it is not as cheesy or as forced as a lot of festive films or films with similar story types. The story is formulaic, but is also immensely charming and heart-warming. There is nothing mean-spirited about it and it is genuinely moving without going overboard on the sentimentality, the letters and angel symbolism were poignantly integrated into the story. Some nice romantic chemistry can be seen and the character interaction is natural. Candace Cameron Bure is a big reason as to why 'Christmas Town' works, she has a likeable character worth identifying with and Bure is just beguiling.

Summing up, not great but a very pleasant watch and one of the better recent Christmas film viewings. 7/10

Cute Hallmark Christmas movie but full of plot holes. There were the issues with the cat and the issues with the angel that others have brought up. But the letters he obviously wrote before he died which means he either KNEW or felt strongly that he was dying. Which begs the question: He obviously spent a lot of time and energy on the letters even ensuring they would all be mailed at the appropriate time. Why didn't he spend any time on making provisions for his daughter so she didn't end up in foster care? My other complaint is about Gloria, the teacher who up and retires. I'm a teacher and I know you don't just make the decision one day. It requires preparation, an application and it can't be both "early " retirement and "it was time." Pick a lane. Oh and the idea of her being approved so quickly to adopt, especially during the holidays when everything slows down with no home visit is simply ludicrous.

The main thought in my mind during this Christmas movie is 1 - who fed the cat 2 - how did it manage staying cooped up in a cage or room without a kitty litter box?

Usual warm hearted Christmas fare

There is no Christmas on Hallmark without Candace Cameron Bure. And she has a better than average movie this year. Losing her parents when she was young a teacher finds herself in a small town for Christmas and like the town and takes to a foster kid. There is a romance too but it's the secondary thing in this movie for a change.