The Spirit of Christmas

I really enjoyed this. It's well done as far as made-for-TV Christmas movies go, with a unique story and decent mystery attached.

It also wasn't as corny or cliché as most holiday themed movies tend to be and I wasn't ever sure how the story was going to play out especially in regards to the happily-ever-after. The acting and sets were very good too, including real snow, as I've seen some Xmas movies which were obviously filmed mid summer.

The story follows Kate, a lawyer who travels to Vermont to broker the sale of an inn and learns that the reason it won't sell is because it's haunted by a man who cannot move on until the mystery of his death (95 years ago) is solved.

I have to admit one of the reasons I enjoyed this as much as I did was down to Thomas Beaudoin who plays the ghost. I've never seen him in anything before but he was excellent. Decent acting and super good looking. He really pulled off a man from the turn of the century.

Daniel as our ghost only appears 12 days each year and then disappears back into his static between world again. He is grumpy and perpetually hungry for his 12 days at the inn, wanting just to be left alone. Despite Kate finds herself drawn to the ill-tempered spirit, determined to help him and they soon find themselves in an unlikely time crossed romance.

I try to stay away from the Hallmark/Lifetime movies, but the synopsis had me intrigued. I was so surprised at how well (and non-cheesy) the acting was. I was a little worried at first! But it was such a sweet and heartfelt movie. If you're a cynic it's probably not for you, but if you want a moving and romantic Christmas movie then this is for you!

Loved this movie want to see a second part like so many Christmas Movies need to make second one.

This is a unique take on TV Christmas movies. I enjoy watching most TV Christmas movies but so many are pretty predictable kind of like they are out of a box and just fill in the blanks and have an unnaturalness in the acting. But this movie is different and has a great plot and very good acting and very good sets. I challenge anyone to find a Christmas TV movie like this one. Fun to watch and very different from the Christmas TV movie standard formula. During the whole movie I was interested and not sure of how things were going to turn out, which is something I like in a movie. The lead female was very good and very believable and just a natural for the part. And the lead male was equally as good and well suited to the part. And the supporting cast fit very well. I never once lost interest or was able to jump to the ending in my mind.

Christmas has always been special to me and my favourite time of year. Main reasons being that it means lots of family time and reliving the nostalgia of singing and listening to carols, watching Christmas films and animations, playing festive games and opening presents. Will never tire of it and nothing will ever change that for the world.

Seing it as someone who wanted to see a different festive film other than the ones watched every year, 'The Spirit of Christmas' is never going to be among my favourites or one of the timeless festive films. It is not great, nor is it flawless. 'The Spirit of Christmas' is though a more than watchable film and avoids some, though not all, of the traps that other Christmas films have fallen into. It is a case of having appeal for some and others finding it a bit of a chore to sit through. For me despite its flaws, 'The Spirit of Christmas' is one of the better new Christmas films seen recently, but nowhere near close to ever.

As to be expected, the story is predictable and although the premise is a reasonably clever one there isn't really an original idea in sight. There are a lot of easily telegraphed scenes here. Some draggy pacing here and there too.

Quite a fair bit of the dialogue does make one cringe and like some festive films it is not without its cheesy moments, and when we say cheesy we are not talking a little sadly.

However, 'The Spirit of Christmas' is a decent looking film, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to, while the direction avoids being too routine. Didn't find myself irritated by the characters at least and wasn't bored.

Despite the predictability, 'The Spirit of Christmas' has its heart in the right place, a difficult to dislike atmosphere and has a nice message that is easily relatable and wasn't laid on too thick. There is definitely a festive spirit and there is plenty of warmth and charm here, with enough parts to warm and melt the heart. Never does it feel too juvenile or mean-spirited and the sentimentality generally doesn't become too much. The acting actually comes over very well, with two likeable leads and a supporting cast that show enthusiasm without over-doing it.

Overall, likeable and above average if nothing to be blown away by. 6/10 Bethany Cox