Really liked the premise for 'Angel of Christmas'. It sounded like it could be intriguing in its mystery element and be as heart-warming as one expects from a Christmas film (well certainly me anywhow). Also the concept for the film was quite different, well in the main plot line at least, from the usual premises for a Hallmark festive film, which tend to follow a certain formula with the odd variation every now and again. Despite how the rest of the review is going to sound, not all Hallmark festive films are bad, enough of them far from it.
'Angel of Christmas' is not a my definition of a terrible film either. It is though towards the bottom end of the spectrum when it comes to ratings and one of the mediocre ones. The concept is a great one, 'Angel of Christmas' is sadly a case of not doing enough with it. Outside of everything to do with the angel, which actually could have been done much better, it's pretty much standard Hallmark fare so not as original as it sounded on paper sadly.
There are good things here. Some of the photography is attractive and the scenery likewise. Really liked the character of Grandpa James, the most likeable and most interesting character by far due to being the source of the bouts of warmth and charm the film has. Some of the soundtrack is pleasant. There are moments of charm and heart.
Did find some of the acting quite good. Jonathan Scarfe is amiable as Brady and makes a real effort to make an initially not so likeable character easier to warm to. The best performance comes from a twinkling Francis X. McCarthy.
Jennifer Finnegan is less successful though. Did find Susan an obnoxious, over the top and unrealistic character, despite promise on paper, and Finnegan tries too hard, some of her performance is borderline mugging. There is not enough discernible chemistry between her and Scarfe, the relationship between them building too slowly and then developed hastily in a slightly choppy manner. Too much of the rest of the music is like other Hallmark films too loud and too constant.
A good deal of the dialogue is very corny and awkward, with a fair share of over-sentimentality. The story as said had a good and quite different premise but executed it too ordinarily. Found everything with the angel too unintentionally creepy in alternative to heart-warming, the mystery element is too slow paced and under-explored to intrigue and the rest is very formulaic with nothing new. Also found everything to do with Susan's job pretty unrealistic and the ending doesn't ring true either. Some of the photography was nice but there were other parts where it was fairly choppy.
So in a nutshell, mediocre and could have been so much more. 4/10
