The Christmas Club

I prefer action movies but this family movie was a pure delight. Not to cornet or mushy. The characters had so much onscreen chemistry that it reminded me of a time that I had forgotten. I will add this to my watch again and again list!

A woman's Christmas club money is swept away by a sudden gust of wind, and strangers Olivia (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Edward (Cameron Mathison) kindly help in her time of need. She is a ballet teacher and widowed mom, and he is a business consultant who travels a lot, but the 'magic' of Christmas then ensures they continue to meet. Great chemistry amid the usual story curveballs ensures it enjoyable enough to perhaps revisit every other year.

Of course Hallmark have its standard list of go-to performers for its films, and they're great, but it is equally nice to see someone new pop up in one of them.

Enter Elizabeth Mitchell ('Santa Clause 2-3) here, and what a joy she is, allowing this to be a different sort of Hallmark film.

Ably supported by Hallmark regular Cameron Mathison (allowed to do more than just be an 'action man', as he normally seems to be cast as) this was lovely, with more depth than a standard one of these films.

One of the best festive films I saw in 2020.

This production was blessed by the good acting on the part of Cameron Mathison and Elizabeth Mitchell. They made a good match, and the story was very romantic. A slow development of their relationship with more than a hint of magic provided by the wonderful Gabrielle Rose. Two strangers, both missing true romantic love in their lives, team up to help a little old lady who lost her Christmas Club money. They give her $40.00, and from then on, magic follows them, and brings them together. It was something a little different from the typical cookie cutter offerings from Hallmark. It had some very imaginative and heartwarming plot points. Elizabeth was a little over-sensitive in parts; a little too fragile, but I guess that was her character. They did not drag the misunderstandings out too long. Probably not a re-watch, but I enjoyed it.

We've thought the 2019 crop of Hallmark Christmas movies has been pretty disappointing. This is the third one we like.

We liked Cameron Mathison in "A Christmas to Remember", and he came through again here, with a very similar performance. Elizabeth Mitchell is just as beautiful as we remember her from her Santa Clause roles.

This is a story of two people broken on love, and a chance(?) meeting which brings them together ... again and again and again.

The characters all have chemistry, which is essential for a romance, and the story has believability, despite the "magic lady" who drives the couple's fate.

I'm not sure if this is one we'll want to watch year after year, but we very much enjoyed one viewing.