Random Acts of Christmas

A wealthy do-gooder with a wise butler who projects Christmas images in the sky, ala the Bat Signal, and a journalist, ala Lois Lane, who falls for his alias while unknowingly working to expose his true identity as the Secret Santa who has been amazing the citizens of Gotham, no, er um, Chicago. Less compelling story arc than the better Hallmark Christmas movies, and an overly earnest kid actor, but saved by good production values and enfaging performances by the leads and Patrick Duffy and Jacqueline Smith.

This is a story with some unique aspects. Secret Santa has been done. But it's not as overused as most of the stories we see this time of year. The get-a-promotion is a little overused, but not quite in this way. Leading the reporter to the true meaning of Christmas is also a little different. Hiding-a-secret and interrupted-before-I-tell-you are both overused, but hard to avoid in this story.

Erin Cahill is perfect for a character with Christmas spirit. I didn't feel like it was overdone, but the spirit seemed to flow out of her. Kevin McGarry does seem a little forced, but as a duo, these two do a nice job. Jaden Oehr is decent as the kid.

The competing reporters, especially with their debate over principles, is also a little unique. Unfortunately, I hated this aspect of the story. It would have worked much better if it was a little more subtle. The debate was part of the theme of the movie, but the cut-throat competition was overdone. The idealist romantic in me would have like the random-acts theme to be a little more pure, but the way this story is written, even the competition was necessary. But the resulting climax was forced due mostly to less than stellar acting by Hamza Fouad . The climax was still worth it all. When I say I would have like the competition to be a little more subtle, I don't mean completely eliminated, but just a little more subtle.

BTW: What happened to the black tie even Colin promised to be at? You may have noticed he was doing something else. There were a few other minor details that weren't cleaned up. Sydney left her car in traffic when she saw that early event where she met Cole/Colin, yet it didn't get towed. Later when decorating the house, she walks in to cook supper leaving a box of decorations literally in the middle of the porch in front of the door.

The casting works in this movie. Erin Cahill is pretty as a journalist and Jaclyn Smith looks believable as her mom. Kevin McGarry looks better and less goofy than in other Hallmark movies. Patrick Duffy plays helper to Secret Santa.

The story isn't the usual thing about a struggling business. There is a tycoon in disguise being Secret Santa. He secretly makes life better for her while pretending to be a journalist like her. A bit of a Prince in disguise type story.

It's nice to see the different things Secret Santa does. Watchable.

I don't understand how this movie has such a high rating. I watch a lot of these types of christmas movies and enjoy them even though most of them are so predictable and follow the same formula. There's just something off with this movie! The two leads don't have much chemistry, the child actor is pretty bad, the story it self is not that good and a bit stupid honestly. And some of the set design is ridiculous, it's like they googled "rich guys house" and copied eveything. I also spent a lot of time annoyed at the male leads helicopter being in the background of every shot from his company factory/show room, probably to remind us that he is a very important and rich person. Skip this one if you like your christmas movie of choice to have a bit more substance!

This is not a secret santa within a group of friends, it's a good samaritan who feels like doing good for the people of his city. Kevin McGarry plays the charming Colin, the head of a company who is doing this random acts of Christmas. Erin Cahill plays the journalist who follows this story. Colin, who introduced himself as Cole to Sydney, passes as a journalist who is following this story as well. Together, they "chase" these acts.

It was amazing. I really enjoyed it. It's different than the movies Hallmark offers. Kevin McGarry was the reason I watched this (blame When Calls the heart) and instead I finish this movie with a huge smile. The leads were amazing, great chemistry, and beautiful moments as well.

My only complain was the final act, which was kind of ridicolous, and the overexcited child. I get it, it's Christmas, but he was excited about EVERYTHING.

I'm worried about some of the comments in this section, you won't find an Oscar worthy movie or Oscar worthy actors. Just sit, and enjoy this during that magical time of year. I'm watching this during quarantine in April and I just wished I had watch this when it premiered like 5 months ago. It definitely would have gotten me in the Christmas mood. Might watch again someday.