La benedizione del Natale

Another winner from Great American Family. 2023 may be the year they caught Hallmark and even surpassed them for the top feel-good Christmas movies. The cast was well chosen and unlike in years past, the supporting cast was strong and played solid roles. Their performances enhanced the leads as Great American Family shook off the cast of boy meets girl and embraced older characters. They showed fulfillment in life. The music was good except for the Las Vegas lounge style version of "God Rest Ye Merrt Gentlemen" used towards the end. Scenery was Christmas like and a warm tender story worked well.

I had every reason to love this movie. I am a huge proponent of Christian content for Christmas movies. I loved Touched by an Angel, was a Full House fan as a kid, even bigger Fuller House fan, and also ***loved*** When Calls the Heart. So this should have been a top movie for me this season.

Not so. It took me at least 20 sittings to get through it. I just couldn't get into it. Part of the reason is that I kept distracting myself, googling things like "Did Lori Laughlin apologize" (and not really being satisfied by what I found). Then I started nitpicking. Her acting was *really* bad. She acted like a mousey, deer-in-the-headlights wimp the whole time. I'm not buying that for a celebrity chef/TV star.

So then I wonder if her acting was always bad and I never noticed because I loved the shows? Or if I am bring overly critical now because I feel weird about her? And then I start noticing little stuff that is normal in any made for TV movie-a space abandoned for three months that is somehow already decorated for Christmas, the stupid ice that any business worried about liability would have taken care of immediately, a tiny turkey that wouldn't feed half of my family let alone an entire community, etc. And then I know I am being overly critical. But the problem is that this movie has overcome my suspension of disbelief.

Bottom line, I didn't enjoy it. I was in my head the whole time. The script was good, and done by any generic actress it would have been a favorite. But I can't help but wonder. I don't think I have ever seen Lori Laughlin do anything explicitly Christian before. So is she playing on my sensitivity to forgiveness to get back into her career? Am I being used?

When I watch these movies, I don't want to have to think about the meta. I want to relax into 90 minutes of predictable brain candy. But I can't *not* think about the meta with Lori Laughlin right now.

Why would anyone want to watch a criminal who thinks cheating is the best way to get ahead?

I didn't realize the criminal Lori Laughlin was in this movie.

Shut it off as soon as I realized. I'm not interested in watching criminals who think they can buy their way into college, while the rest of us have to use merit.

I have to add more characters, evidently. Lori Laughlin is a criminal who thinks she's better than you. You and your family have to work hard to get into college - but the criminal Lori Laughlin thinks she deserves better and her kids don't need to work hard, so she cheats and pays people off.

People need to get over themselves. Of all the things to be upset about people are choosing to be still upset about Lori Loughlin. Border wide open, Americans are funding 2 wars but what are people being upset about?: Lori Loughlin. 🤣🤣🤣Are you kidding me? Anyway, this movie was wonderful. Wonderful plot, wonderful script, & wonderful acting. I don't remember seeing James Tupper in anything but he is a good actor and had great chemistry with Lori. Jesse Hutch is one of my favorite "Hallmark" actors. I have not seen a bad movie of his yet. I think this one is his best yet. The reporter, Karen Holness, is so underrated and I think it is past time for her to be a lead in a movie. Well done GAC.

This movie has a A+++++cast....several of the cast members are excellent actors and actresses! The main character inherits property and as often is the case, the buyer is ready and overly passionate about getting moved in. The twists and turns, stimulated my viewer mindset, keeping me engaged throughout the movie. I love warmhearted Christmas movies that promote the true meaning of Christmas and this one does just that. Many people suffer hard times, and Christmas often emphasizes those losses and struggles. This movie is a gentle reminder of what is important in life and how not to act when faced with the hardships of others. Great Job Great American Family for keeping it real. Thank you Cast for your sacrifice for being on a Movie that is sensible and has value!