Genie

Melissa works for her paycheck while the rest of the cast is beyond terrible.

Whoooo signed off on the actors of Bernard and Julie?! Why?!

This proves that the best actor doesn't always get the job. Flat. Flat. Beyond flat.

I'm all for supporting less than "star" names but these two dragged every scene down. What a shame.

Production value is good. Cinematography is solid. Music fits.

I can only fault casting as well as the director.

The heartfelt ending made it worth the watch- that'll I'll also thank Melissa for.

Give new, unknown actors jobs- please- based on talent.

We want that. We support that.

A nice, uplifting, and enjoyable movie to watch on a cold winter's day. Melissa McCarthy is wonderful, as always, and doesn't overplay it here. Paapa Essiedu was tastefully understated as Bernard. Loved the NYC setting. The rest of the supporting cast was also excellent, including Denee Benton (whom I love in "The Gilded Age") as Bernard's wife; Alan Cumming as Bernard's horrible boss; and Marc Marion as Lenny, the doorman.

There are some humorous moments for sure, but those are tastefully done within the story. The story is somewhat predictable, but does not take away from the enjoyable journey. (One silly side story could have been left out, but that's a small quibble.)

All in all, a nice light-hearted movie for the holidays.

This movie isn't going to solve the world's problems but it was great for 90 minutes of holiday entertainment. Perfect fun for children and a couple life lessons are thrown in for good measure. Don't look for anything deep here including character development - it's all just fun.

Who doesn't love NYC at Christmas time, a fairy tale Genie who can help you with anything, a bad guy with ann incredible acting resume and a happy ending.

I don't know what the naysayers were looking for when they panned this movie , but I say take a chance on this one. Melissa McCarthy is her usual silly self and you can't go wrong with Alan Cummings.

Written by that prolific writer of usually hit film and TV productions Richard Curtis, this must be his idea of a Christmas stocking filler?

That is, it is light and airy and not to be taken too seriously, either plot wise or as a movie production. Its adequate, amusing, touching, and even laugh out loud funny in parts. Melissa McCarthy is its saving grace, delivering her lines with wit and charm, and emotion as only she can. The 3 actors comprising the family do not really gel together, the mum and daughter were not very well cast IMO. I think RC made the father lead watch a bunch of Stephen Merchant performances, and told him "act like that".

But it all held together well enough to enjoy as a pre Xmas movie taster, before you unwrap the real presents, such as Elf, National lampoon, A wonderful Life...or whichever are your go to Seasonal favourites.

I thought this film was terrific. It was funny and fun, plus the soundtrack was excellent. I thought the film was well cast, too. It's not Hallmarkish at all. Melissa McCarthy has been in a couple of stinkers, but this is not one of them. Don't expect a deep or profound message. This is just about a guy (excellent actor, Paapa Essiedu) who realizes that he has put his family on the back burner and he tries his best to remedy that. I'm not sure where all the hate for this movie is coming from. It was written by Richard Curtis (Love Actually and Notting Hill) so seriously, how could it be bad? Ignore the hate and watch for yourself.