Christmas Keepsake

Another quality film from GAC Family, ironically starring Australia's Daniel Lissing - actually using his Aussie accent for a change, just like he's in 'Crownies', or something! - who was once something approaching a Hallmark poster boy for his role on When Calls the Heart.

In Christmas Keepsake he plays Tom, an Australian (not much prep work needed there!) who moves to a wintry small town in America with his daughter, Grace (played by Ellie Stewart, also an Australian).

When Grace finds a time capsule buried in their backyard, it connects them with Elizabeth (Jillian Murray, not an Australian!), who is grieving a loss just as Tom is.

If you've seen only even one of these movies, you probably don't need me to tell you what happens eventually...

This was a pleasant film about second chances and new Christmas beginnings.

I always hope the next movie with Danial Lissing would portray him as well as his strong role as Jack in WCTH. This one does not do it. Albeit.it was enjoyable to have him speaking with his natural accent. From the start of the movie there was an attempt to have an attraction between Tom and Elisabeth but it came out to be rather forced. It progressed in a ho-hum pace obstensively because the poor girl did not want to be vulnerable. It dragged along tooooo long. She didn't even try to snap out of it, at least to have shown a little spine along the way rather than poof at the end she sees the light. The young girl, Grace, actually acted the age she looked. Kudos on that, usually they say the child is 10 and they look 15, Noted it was supported by Australian movie guild. Nice to see the international aspect. Hoping Lissing's next movie gives him a more substantive character role.

Christmas Keepsake is a low-key romance about an Australian widower who relocates along with his preteen daughter to America, where the discovery of a time capsule buried in their back yard leads to new relationships and new traditions.

The acting is much better than some of the GAC movies out there. Old pro Daniel Lissing is excellent as always, although it's a bit of an adjustment hearing him speak in his natural Australian voice. I can't wait for all the reviews saying how bad his Aussie accent is.

Jillian Murray is one of the GAC stable who was brought back this year, and rightfully so. She is improving, as I'm sure many others will too.

The daughter did a fine job as well.

The movie itself was just ok. To be honest, I didn't feel like there was a relationship developing, in spite of the mother's blatant attempts at matchmaking.

Still in all, definitely a step in the right direction.

It was a nice enough movie and I liked all the actors but right from the get go it bothered me how little they did to make finding the time capsule real. Supposedly, one young girl hid it in (I think a neighbors) back yard and years later another young girl, who had just moved into the house, found it under a few inches of snow. It wasn't even buried. So, all the people who had lived in that house over the years never saw it? Also, it was a tin. That would have been rusted out in a year. Even the papers inside the tin looked brand new. It just seems no effort was put into making any of this believable.

Christmas Keepsake is a romantic Christmas movie about an Australian father who lost his wife. He relocates to the United States with his daughter to try and give her a wonderful American Christmas. His daughter finds a time capsule buried in their backyard. The time capsule leads to new relationships and new traditions. Sounds great...but unfortunately does not deliver.

I had a very hard time making it through this movie. I am a huge fan of Christmas movies, however, this one did not resonate with me or my wife. I gave it three stars and my wife said it was a two star movie.

We could not put a finger on why we did not like this movie. It just seemed to be missing something. It felt rushed and just thrown together. The actors were likable and did a good job acting. As I mentioned before it was just missing something.