User reviews

A lovely story; easy watching and for once it is nice to care about the characters in a story. No drugs, no sex. Just love. As a transplanted northerner I loved seeing the snow and pretty scenery. Aren't Julie Andrews and James Garner lovely together?

This is a nice TV movie starring screen legends James Garner and Julie Andrews. Garner plays construction contractor Robert Woodward who encounters medical doctor Catherine (Andrews) after having problems getting a taxi home during a snowstorm. After Catherine offers him a ride, her car gets stuck in the snow, forcing them to spend the night at an empty cabin, resulting in at first a fiery, but later an unlikely relationship.

There is great chemistry between Garner and Andrews and both delivered some solid portrayals of their respective characters. Their presence really made this drama a worthy viewing experience and made the plot, although slow at times, entertaining. This movie also captures the values and integrity of humans and the genuine love and special bond people share - things sorely missing in many of today's movies.

I will always remember Julie Andrews as Maria from Sound of Music, but it is great seeing her in a TV production later on in the years. It's one special movie for everyone.

Grade B

"One Special Night" is the classic story of two people meeting each other and taking an instant dislike to the other, then slowly but surely warming up to each other. What makes this movie stand out above the rest in the genre, is that after they spend their 'one special night' together, it's not all smiles and roses. Messages get mixed up, white lies are told and things happen that seem to drive the two further apart and make any chance at romance seemingly impossible.

This is Julie Andrews & James Garner's third movie together and in 35 years, since the filming of "The Americanization of Emily" & "Victor/Victoria", neither of them have lost their glow or spunk and can still create the spark between that makes them so adorable.

The two stars of "One Special Night" are far from the average Hollywood tartlets that seem to dominate the genre. Instead they're mature, well established people that give the movie that little bit more credibility and realism.

It's nice to see that Hollywood is still willing to make romance movies with actors and actresses that are no longer considered "young" as personally I think people only get better with age.

This move is definitely one that proves that theory correct beyond a doubt!

Im 14 Years Old And I Watched And Taped One Special Night And It Was A Very Good Movie! 10 Stars! Andrews And Garner Were Great! This Movie Was About James Garner (My Fellow Americans) Needing A Lift Home On A Very Snowy Night And Julie Andrews (The Sound Of Music) Ask's Him If He Would Like A Ride In Her Car Home And When On The Way Home They Hit A Slick Spot In The Road And Go Over In To The Deep Snow And Can't Get Her Car Out! Soon They Fnd A Cabin And Stay The Night And Soon They Fall In Love! This Movie Is A Drama Mixed With A Little Comedy! -Jeremy

This film needs a lot of work. The weakest part concerns the supporting actors, most of whom have too little presence, charisma, or acting ability (I don't mean to sound like an ogre, but these actors seem stiff and insincere in too many scenes).

Andrews and Garner, of course, are terrific just being themselves (or their personas, at least). But their short one-night conversation provides too little reason for a viewer to think they've found something so deep within their relationship that they definitely need to continue seeing each other. This is especially true for Garner, whose character no sooner loses his wife than he's pursuing Andrews at a speed that makes a mockery of any grief he may be feeling for his wife.

If the writer and director had doubled the screen time given to the two leads, and put the rest of the story on the cutting-room floor, they'd have a film I would have rated much more favorably.

Despite these problems, I would recommend watching the film--while tuning out the subplots and concentrating on the scenes with Andrews and Garner.

Watched this again this weekend. I have seen it every year since it's premiere in 1999. Andrews and Garner (in their third film together) still have chemistry together--and then some. This is truly a classic, and a sterling example of what a Holiday movie should be. The entire cast performs beautifully, the wintry atmosphere is completely captivating and the musical score is perfect. Add to these a script which is believable and touching without becoming trite. Everyone gets an "A" for their work in this, but in the end, it's truly the perfect performances of Andrews and Garner that make this such a memorable experience.

Julie Andrews and James Garner -- again! -- create a special magic with two stellar performances -- especially Andrews. I've always felt that Andrews's acting talents were greatly underappreciated and have been overshadowed by her musical greatness. She is one special actress -- I fell in love with her 35 years ago in "Mary Poppins," and my admiration for her continues to this day.

I only wish this movie was a one-hour episode, and that it dispensed with the whole dysfunctional family sub-plot. It was tiresome and predictable. The only reason I did not use my fast-forward on my VCR is because I didn't want to miss one second of Garner and Andrews.

I have always admired a film based on a story with steadily ascending human values. Like "An Affair to Remember", the story in "One Special Night" begins with a negative relationship between Garner and Andrews but, as they become better acquainted, their antagonism goes into neutral. When they are finally forced to take refuge in a deserted house to shelter from the heavy snowstorm and they eventually discover that they both possess that sublime quality of positive human values, their affection for one another gradually develops into a beautiful kind of love superbly suited to their advanced age. The dialogue between Andrews and Garner is admirably sober, witty, and often deeply touching. One feels compelled to offer congratulations also to writers Hartman and Silvers, and director Roger Young for a truly heart-warming story. One would wish to be witnessing a reversal of the sleazy trend so frequently adopted by the movie makers of the last quarter of the twentieth century. I gave this story a score of 9, and I added another point for the fact that the film was produced well after what I've always considered to be the golden age of Hollywood movies (1930-70) in this age when films are being made in abundance but rarely with any depth of meaning.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

The plot involves two strangers, a construction contractor (Garner) and a medical doctor (Andrews), who take refuge in a small abandoned cabin during a stormy winter night and, despite their many differences, they become undeniably drawn to one another. This was Garner's and Andrews' third film pairing as romantic leads, after The Americanization of Emily (1964) and Victor Victoria (1982).

This is a nice little film. It holds your attention . Long time friends James Garner and Julie Andrews really do have great chemistry together.

It seems to me however there were little winks to the audience to Julie's & Jim's past roles. I won't give them away but see if you could spot them.

I bought this film as I love James Garner and Julie Andrews. The Notebook and the Sound of Music I could watch over and over again and have done! I am shocked at how bad this was,I thought the storyline had no morals and the acting shocking.I cannot understand the other reviews that think this was good, I agree that it is lovely to see older actors in a love story and the Notebook if a perfect example of this but this was corny and so not true to life.Things like them finding the tractor and James being able to start it within a few seconds, Julie managing to light a fire and it blazing in a few moments,the loaf of bread not being mouldy, and how he found the necklace when it had not stopped snowing beats me.Buyer beware!

Call me sappy. Call me nostalgic. Call me silly. But I loved it. 2 great actors, one Oscar winner one who should be and an old fashioned relatively moral love story. It evokes a feeling I will never forget and I re-watch it every year. BTW I've never seen any of the supporting cast again and that is disappointing. I also hope James and Julie don't make us wait another 18 years to another film together; they have previously co-starred in The Americanization of Emily and Victor Victoria. Husbands take note about what James Garner remembered the most of his late wife and Julie Andrews' reaction. and after seeing the film have some chocolate chip pancakes in the stars honor.

"Robert," James Gardner (Victor, Victoria) and his daughters went to visit his wife in the hospital. There was a snow storm coming and Robert decided to stay at the hospital longer. Later he tried to get a cab but he could not get one. "Millie" Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music), a doctor, overheard his phone conversation. She was driving home in her convertible Jaguar and offered Robert a ride. Not exactly your snow transportation! Her car crashed in the snow. They ended up spending the night in a vacated cabin in the mountains without a telephone. Robert had to break a window to get in. There they started a love-hate relationship. They argued a lot. His daughter and son-in-law were having marriage problems. They went arguing and looking for Robert. They were not able to find him. Millie and Robert decided that they should meet for breakfast. When it was time for breakfast, Millie was inside the restaurant. Robert got to the front of the restaurant but he received a phone call and did not go in the restaurant. The scene reminded me of "An Affair to Remember" and "You've Got Mail" where she waits but he does not come. The next time they meet neither one wants to admit that they were there. It turns out that the phone call that Robert received was that this wife who had Alzheimer's had died. His children meet Millie and thought that she was neat. Millie's husband had died of cancer and she had no children. Robert and Millie fell in love. He purchased the cabin that made that night so special. This was a nice and sweet made for television movie. Favorite Scene: he gives her the scarf she lost in the snow.

While it was nice to see a film about older people finding each other and falling in love and the performances by Andrews and Garner were not bad, this picture poured on the sapp and schmaltz at every turn. Every curve in the plot was in view from a mile away!

My spouse & I count this movie as one of our all time favorites & a MUST SEE for the holidays. We never miss it, as it is an extremely enjoyable, fun, romantic & heartwarming movie, with a superb cast who give fantastic performances. Ms. Andrews & Mr. Garner, reportedly close friends in real life, have a lot of "spark" together & the dialog written for them is, at times, hysterical. There are some sad points in the movie, which only make it more believable & true-to-life. The scenery in this movie is gorgeous & there are a few stories going on at once, making it a non-stop enjoyable movie. The title, "One Special Night" defines the catalyst for a lifetime of special love & relationships.

I gave "One Special Night" to myself as a Christmas present and it was worth every cent I spent on it. James Garner as Robert the Builder and the great-looking Julie Andrews as Catherine the Doctor are a terrific couple, funny, heart-warming and lovable. You can see that Garner and Andrews known each other for quite a while and that they're used to act together. They do have a chemistry that makes your heart want to jump. Julie is funny but nonetheless you can see how Katharine's suffering. And Jim, well, let's say, he's the great re-actor he's ever been. I really enjoyed watching those two eat maccaroni and cheese and Julie's face just as well as Jim's. There are so many little scenes you don't realize when you see the movie for the first time that'll make you laugh when you watch for the third or fourth time. I love the way, Catherine talks to herself. We all do it, right? But only few people show it. It was funny and sad, and Julie made it so great. She's just perfect (I LOVE HER!!!) So guys, get some hot chocolate and watch. It doesn't have to be between the holidays, but every day. But in summer, I recommend chocolate ice-cream instead of hot chocolate. If you're not disgusted when you see two older people fall in love, you'll enjoy this movie!

James Garner and Julie Andrews reunite for this very special TV-Movie. They play two people stranded in a snow storm who through the night learn about each other and grow a meaningful friendship. James Garner is excellent, while Julie Andrews delivers a knockout performance. A great CBS movie, watch it if you get the chance.

I was so excited to see the tv drama One Special Night, and when I finally got my hands on a copy, I wasn't disappointed. It reunited Julie Andrews and James Garner for the third time, and it had a compelling, touching storyline that tugged on my heartstrings from start to finish. It was written by Nancey Silvers, the writer of Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores, so you can expect good values, three-dimensional characters, and sweet moments. I like your style, Nancey!

In this story, the two leads meet in an old folks' home. No, it's not what you're thinking. James is visiting his Alzheimer's-ailing wife, and Julie is seeking comfort by sitting in her late husband's old room. It's snowing pretty heavily, and as a good Samaritan, Julie offers James a ride home. They spin out on a patch of black ice and crash in a snowbank. What are two attractive, semi-available people to do when they're stranded in the snow and come across a cozy log cabin?

Sometimes you can tell when actors really like each other; the camera just can't cover up true feelings. Paul Newman always had a twinkle in his eye when he looked at his wife, Fredric March had a softness when Flo worked with him, and Robert Mitchum seemed happier around Deborah Kerr. James and Julie looked like they couldn't wait to have dinner together and chat about old times. Even though they initially start the film antagonistically bickering, you could still see a warmth between them that threatened to thaw the snow.

This holiday-set romance is very sweet, and it's definitely one I'll watch again. Julie has such incredible class, and she looks so beautiful! I love the way she applies her makeup, and her feathery 'do is so flattering to her bone structure. After watching this movie, I scheduled an appointment with my hairdresser and brought in a picture of Julie for a new cut.

I enjoyed seeing James Garner and Julie Andrews again in this genuine feel good movie. After watching the movie I felt good just as I was supposed to. Don't expect to see any surprises as the movie is totally predictable; but, hey, that's okay. It's a nice movie about nice people and I enjoyed seeing the chemistry between Jim Garner and Julie Andrews, beginning to end. You can almost bet on a sequel.

Sick and tired of watching It's A Wonderful Life? try this then as a v v suitable replacement! Julie Andrews and James Garner are very well matched in this delightful and sometimes bittersweet film about two people who become stranded in a snowbound cottage for"One Special Night" as they themselves put it.

Julie Andrews gives an Oscar worthy performance as Catherine and same with James Garner as Robert, two people who find love, without really looking for it as two recently widowers....

Not wanting to spoil this film for those who have not seen it, I can just say in closing that if you do not cry at least once during this film, you do not deserve to call yourself a human being...

This must be my favorite movie. I can't explain why, I just love it! I've watched it uncountable times and I will watch it again - it has become my ultimate Christmas movie and I watch it with my daughter and/or my husband or alone and we all love it, everything about it! My only concern is that I by time will be unable to watch it because until now it is just available on dvd (and the quality is not excellent anymore I'm afraid...) ..... so when my old dvd player is gone, then what.....!? The main characyers are just lovely, the communication between them, the sharp comments, the energies and the atmosphere....! And I love a happy ending.

Like the original "Winter's Tale" It's difficult to decide whether this is a comedy or something serious. There certainly are serious moments, Julie Andrews is a doctor and widow, still crying for her husband alone in their common room at the hospital, and James Garner is losing his wife and too well aware of it. But the thing with James Garner is that you can always rely on him for some jokes. The really delightful thing about this film is the splendid dialog between him and Julie Andrews - this is more than comedy, this is great uplifting wit and humanity. There are many quarrels as well, but as usual with winter tales for Christmas, things tend to gather together in some kind of miraculous turn of events and circumstances in an ultimately harmonious way. There is plenty of room both for laughter and tears in this film, while the great moment of truth is Julie Andrews' ultimate contribution as a doctor.

These two actors are magical together, and they prove it again in this film. Well acted, not schmaltzy, and very touching. I loved it.