Tails of Christmas

We were looking for a happy, sappy Christmas movie as an escape from our maniacal daily lives. Tails of Christmas had so much promise. A great storyline, a production under the Great American Family banner, wonderful cinematography/stage-direction, well-done background music, good-looking actors, DOGS! What could possibly go wrong?

The acting. That's what went wrong. We've seen better acting in middle-school plays. We didn't make it past the 30-minute mark, it was so cringe-worthy. A shame, really, because we've seen some really well-done GAF Christmas movies this 2024 season. GAF made the mistake of deploying nearly an entire pretty-faced rookie cast on Tails of Christmas that otherwise would've been great with some seasoned actors.

Also, if you want to do a movie with "shelter" dogs, you've got to show the dogs in the shelter barking/going crazy, not sitting there like perfect angels. There are ways to direct around that type of realistic chaos.

Whilst doing physiotherapy Caleb meets Amber, who owns an animal shelter. A Year later, Caleb is all better, and happens to drive past Amber's shelter. Being unemployed, he offers to volunteer for her Christmas adoption drive.

With his love for dogs, Caleb manages to make her drive a huge success, and in the process he falls in love with Amber, and an adorable dog named Rex. This dog is so precious that he might just inspire you to adopt a dog yourself!

From a romance perspective, it is just as predictable as a Hallmark movie. I mean, from the moment Caleb and Amber met it is inevitable they would fall in love. But hey, this is a movie with a simple premise, and a real feel-good movie! 'Tails of Christmas' is perfect for a family movie night - especially around Christmas!

The acting wasn't the greatest. Ash Tsai, who portrays Amber, sounded like she was simply saying her lines. She might not be the best actress, but at least her voice is nice and clear and I could hear every word. Eric Guilmette was much better in the role of Caleb, but then again, he is a far more experienced actor. And he's darn cute, too!

The Tails of Christmas brings the warmth and spirit of the holiday season to life, beautifully exploring themes of healing, resilience, and love. Eric Guilmette stars as Caleb, an Army veteran facing the physical and emotional challenges of recovery. When he returns home and unexpectedly finds himself volunteering alongside Amber (Ash Tsai) at a local animal shelter, he rediscovers a sense of purpose and forms a connection that goes far beyond gratitude.

Guilmette's portrayal of Caleb is nothing short of transformative. With remarkable authenticity, he transitions from a man struggling with his past to someone rediscovering joy and fulfillment. Each emotion-from pain to hope-rings profoundly true, making Caleb's journey feel incredibly realistic and deeply moving.

With its blend of pets, holiday cheer, and an uplifting love story, The Tails of Christmas is far more than a romance. It's a heartwarming testament to second chances, reminding us that everyone deserves happiness and purpose, even after life's hardest moments. This genuine, feel-good movie is a must-watch, capturing the true essence of the holiday season.

I loved the dogs; they were actually my favorite part. I've always been a doggie Mom, and have had many over the years - have 3 right now.

I enjoyed the movie and the storyline. It certainly proved that dogs are good for you, good for the soul, good for healing.

But, the writing and/or the acting could have been much better. The acting seemed so tense, so scripted - like they were just reading lines - not natural at all.

Also, if you've ever visited your local animal shelter - I feel quite certain it looked nothing like the one in this movie. I know for a fact that the 2 in our city don't look like this one did. This one looked like a cute little puppy boutique. Cute, but not realistic.

I don't know if it is director, the script or the actors but I felt I was watching the first table read. The leads were very attractive and had some chemistry but were very stiff and showed very little emotion. A good director should have been able to get more from them. Instead, they just stood looking at each other and recited their lines. The supporting actors performed better, probably due to the fact that they are more experienced actors. The animals were the best part of the movie. They made the movie more watchable. I am sixty six characters too short so I will just ask why I see some reviews that are only two or three lines? Ok, now I'm done.