Unlike so many Christmas comedies, this one isn't about a couple that may or may not get together, and it's not squeaky clean. It's actually kind of edgy at times. When cleaned up for Fox, for example, Jack says, "Shoot!" Then realizing he is around children he says, "I mean shoot." Well, that is what he said. If you don't see it on Fox, maybe that means he said something else. And there is some sex talk, and a funny scene involving an effort to sneak out of a store without people finding out about a pregnancy test.
The couple may in fact not end up together. They are having a disagreement, so there is still a will they or won't they factor. Plus a crisis that needs to be solved by a miracle. And it's not as simple as it sounds.
Jack is quite appealing and sort of a loser. I've seen Justin Long in a number of roles, and wonders how someone like him ends up with a girl as pretty as Caroline. I remember when that pretty girl was Zooey Deschanel. But Long has a positive attitude and a determination that makes the movie work, even if he is around all these tough or good-looking Irish men. And he is quite funny when he has to deal with a diaper, and any other crisis. There is even danger, and he scares easily.
Tom Moran is not tough but good-looking and seems to want Caroline back. Can it happen?
And like so many women in these movies, India Mullen, whoever that is, gives us a driven career woman. But she is somewhat pleasant and accessible, not at all like what one would expect from someone on her way up in a major company. And quite pretty. Except for the accent, I thought she might be the wonderful actress who develops the ability to see the ghosts that haunt her ancient British mansion in a TV series we in the States got to see because of a strike. No, not her, but she's almost as good.
Aoife Hughes is a delight as a girl who wants to play soccer ... What do you MEAN it's football? Oh, and I didn't know there is a version of the game where players can use their hands. Getting back to the actress, she is dismissed because she is a girl, but her brother Arlo Buchanan, who is also good, isn't talented like the real men think he should be.
I don't see Patrick's name in the cast, but he is a holy terror, just old enough to make people's lives miserable, a regular Dennis the Menace.
The Christian meaning of Christmas is included, as two live nativity scenes are shown. The stars of the movie are participants the second time and it doesn't go well.
Ireland is a beautiful place. If that's where they were.
I wasn't happy with some of the music. There is good singing when it is cast members, meaning extras rather than anyone we would know. But the first recording of music in the movie ... we have a green truck that comes every Thursday. I feel the same about what was played at the end. There is some good Irish music played during a soccer game ... okay, football.
Family friendly? Permissive parents might be okay with it. But some scenes go on the naughty list. TV-14 might have been too much. The letter S wasn't needed, as they weren't actually doing anything. It was just a noisy bed.
