User reviews

Sometimes you just want a wholesome story about characters navigating their life and relationships, and this is where this film delivers.

You find yourself rooting for all the characters and the themes of the struggle of finding success in the creative industry in relatable to many, and it's a nice change of pace that it's implied that success is found through working and supported each other as opposed to competition (which is in keeping with the overall wholesomeness of it all)

It fits nicely with many other Christmas films (although the Australian element is always a nice touch, again, nice to see an Xmas movie taking place in the Summer!)

Another low budget Australian film. The story was quite good but the acting was atrocious. I'll stick to watching good old American movies. If you want a bit of background noise while doing the dishes or vacuuming this movie fits the bill. I don't see why Australian movie makers can't find a decent budget and get some decent actors to make some decent movies. Any decent actors like Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe head off to America where they get paid what they are worth. All things considered. I would give this movie, a big miss and stick to watching American or Canadian movies instead of this Australian rubbish.

Overall, a low budget endearing film with a light heart and genuine good intentions, unfortunately it doesn't quite land and is very cringy. The story is NOT really a story but more of a nice message. I applaud the diversity, but this is at best for senior citizens and not for a regular audience. There is no real story or conflict, the acting ranges from bad to good to mediocre. The music is absolutely terrible and cheesy, and the photography looks like a home video, and the color grade looks like a student film. Overall, the film is easy to watch but doesn't leave you with much to take away. Lex Marions was the best thing in this film.

What an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This movie was sweet, easy to watch and covered many topics which effect all of us, family, love, illness, work and appearances. No swearing or violence, but a message that should resonate with all of us - kindness to our fellow man! And with a few giggles along the way this movie was well rounded and had something for everyone. Loved the music, the aussie scenery and how the importance of friendship was portrayed. Well done Joy House Productions!!

I so enjoyed the Rhapdsody of Love and the Gift that Gives is another fine example of the writing, producing and directing talent. Can't wait to see what's next!!!

This charming film left me feeling good about families and the funny ins and outs of romantic relationships. A new take on the classic boy meets girl then misunderstaing and wounded pride ensues. In this film the main characters are Asian Australian of various kinds (Korean, Japanese and Chinese) making for a complex interracial and intergenerational family mix. A really accurate picture of modern Australian society reflected more now on television but still not often seen on in Aussie films. Clearly it is a low budget production, as another reviewer has pointed out, but so have been some of Australia's funniest and most memorable films such as The Castle and Kenny- I enjoyed this one just as much.

I watched this film not sure what to expect and I certainly didn't expect to resonate so much with the script. As a daughter of two political refugees who immigrated to Australia I've often had the feels of being stuck in between and to see this narrative play out was somewhat cathartic. The production value for this Independent film is very high and I caught flavours of Last Christmas starring Emilia Clark and subtle notes of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion - all 90s films I adore. I really see this film as a homage to all those 90s rom-coms and a nice reprieve from all the drama currently playing out on world news. So if you need a film to bring back some 90s nostalgia, an original Australian story and just something that leaves you happy rather than worse for wear than when you started - this is the film for you.

'The Gift that Gives' is the stuff of good independent films: it gives voice to underrepresented filmmakers, actors and audiences; brings to light cultural values of Asian Australians; and does both with professionalism, creativity and good story telling. And of course, it's entertaining because it includes good acting, interesting cinematography and thoughtful themes. The production value is great and the integrity obvious.

We need more film makers like Joy Hopwood to broaden our perspective and appreciation for the diversity of stories and cultures that make up our planet.

Definitely worth including on your Christmas movie list!

With way too much violence and general negativity on screens, big and small, it was refreshing to watch a feelgood movie for a change. The fact that The Gift That Gives is an Australian production was a bonus. When movies today are so often dog-eat-dog and mean-spirited with little or no redemption, this light-hearted story lifted my spirits. It could be said that there is a bit too much moralising, but I found the message of kindness, love and joy expressed through the characters done with a light touch. And it was good to see in the casting a realistic cross section of Aussies with different cultural backgrounds. I look forward to Joy Hopwood's next production.

My favourite film by Joy House Production yet! A feel-good romance story that invites viewers into the world of grassroots success, intertwined with unexpected love tales that shine a light on the beautiful richness and diversity we are lucky to have in modern-day Australia. The optimistic lens the film is filtered through is a refreshing change. Kudos to Joy and the Cast for investing the passion they did into this story. The production elements come together beautifully and it's encouraging to see how the Director's vision can bring opportunity to talent that allows everyone to continue developing their craft...now that's a Gift that's worth giving! Excited to see what comes next from Joy Hopwood and her team :)

In "The Gift that Gives," Sydney's enchanting backdrop plays host to a love story as captivating as the city itself. This charming romcom follows the serendipitous journey of Callum Mori (Takaya Honda) as he and his brother Austin (Damien Sato) discovers hidden love letters leading them on a exciting and humours hunt on who they are written for.

With its witty banter, heartfelt moments, and breathtaking views of Sydney's iconic landmarks, "The Gift That Gives" is a delightful ode to the power of love and the beauty of pursuing one's dreams. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, drawing viewers into their romantic escapades with every scene.

Another Joyful movie created by Joy Hopwood. Not to mention supporting local diverse characters in this story.

Would recommend!

Set in Australia, it is easy to watch and has lots of fun and laughs. There are plenty of touching moments and I really appreciated the challenge of writing books and being an author and doing all the publicity of appearing in TV Shows and signing books.

This is one of Joy's best works with a tight script and actors who shine. I particularly liked the misunderstandings along the way and the chemistry with the leads is top notch.

The Sydney backdrop is also a plus, how good is it to support your local artists and movie makers.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good laugh and wants to support Australian legends like Joy.

The Gift That Gives is the sort of film the world needs today. No, it is not science fiction or fantasy or filled with murder and horror. On the contrary, it is filled with joy, love and happiness. It is set in Australia and the characters are excellent in that they fulfill their roles wonderfully - making one giggle one moment, then making one gulp, the next. The banter is brilliant and the relationship between the characters is so good. A feel-good movie with an important message to all of us - spread kindness, love and joy and reap the rewards.

Gather your friends and family and see this heartfelt and romantic movie.

Firstly, Joy Hopwood is a powerhouse filmmaker and artist in her own right. Her vision of promoting inclusive cinema featuring a culturally diverse cast (inclusive of LGBTQI+ cast members) is to be celebrated.

The Gift That Gives places the picturesque and iconic Sydney Harbour in the spotlight. The film showcases the beauty of a city that often falls under the radar, unlike many of its Northern Hemisphere city counterparts, such as Los Angeles or New York. This means that the film also advocates for a snowless Christmas theme which is very rarely shown in most holiday-themed productions. Typically, snow and Christmas are seen as synonymous, and this film refreshingly challenges that narrative.

The storyline is easy to follow and doesn't overstate itself in its unfolding of events. It gives insight into the lives of a family living in Sydney from a comedic perspective and provides an easy watch for the audience. The film maintains a consistent rhythm with a few highs and lows throughout, a key moment being that of the art class scene.

Congratulations again to the cast and crew!

Really enjoyed watching this! It was super lighthearted and just makes you feel good. I'm a huge romcom fan and I always love a wholesome movie! So, this hit the right spot for me!

The movie kept me engaged and on my toes... It kept me wondering what's gonna happen next with the characters! I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster it took me on.

There were also many funny moments that made me laugh out loud, especially the yoga scenes with Maria Tran. There were many witty moments between the main characters too.

Also, I love seeing a diverse cast in movies! We need more Asian-Australian representation in film, so it was refreshing to see that here. I also love spotting iconic Sydney, Australia locations in the film too.

Overall, I walked away from this movie feeling super warm and wholesome. Especially the ending!!

When you leave the cinema after watching this film, you are filled with joy. Yes, this may be a play-on-words related to the multi-talented director et al, Joy Hopwood, but it's true. It is a feel good movie that not only presents a positive message about family and friendship, but it's entertaining as well. It also normalises diversity, and is one of the first Australian feature films to do so. There's a lot to love about "The Gift That Gives". Director Joy Hopwood is growing stronger with each of her directorial efforts, and more personal. I'm sure there's something every movie goer can relate to, and of course, enjoy the movie as well.

Joy Hopwood unpacks tricky adult relationships and subtly explores mental health and balancing emotional accountability through interpersonal connections, neatly wrapping it up as "The Gift That Gives".

Characters are grounded and have realistic backstories fleshed out just enough to be relatable in stakes and chemistry, that really pay off in the end.

Cheeky elements are here without taking away from the drama with the much loved and missed late Lex Marinos delivering his signature comedic relief in his scenes in his last role as Lawrence.

Despite having a teenage Disney like depth, the film hits all it's marks with a positive message and deserves more credit for Joy's unique approach in these complex modern times is indeed wholesome warm hug.

We are spoiled by all the classic American white Christmas films and aside from missing a musical number I only unrealistically ask for snow in this film, but don't let that take away from your experience of the Christmas Joy theme.

The Gift That Gives tells the story of debut author Callum and his utterly lovable family as they search for love and connection. Cupid strings his bow when Callum appears on a TV talk show to promote his new book and meets presenter Kate who falls for his kindness and easy going charm but Callum has eyes for her best friend Lila. Meanwhile, we are introduced to the Mori family including soulful brother Austin who Kate makes a connection with, just in time for the holidays Joy Hopwood has given us a wholesome and nourishing rom-com that explores love and family healing. In a time when the images and stories that play out on screen and in social media can seem overwhelmingly spiteful and negative, A Gift the Gives strikes a beautiful note of tenderness and warmth that we all need.

"The Gift that Gives" written and directed by Joy Hopwood has EXCELLENT cast well played by Actors Takaya Honda and Hai Hai Lee deserving of recognition. Lex Marinos and Susan Ling Young were notable standout actors as well. The story line is well developed and is supported by a great diverse cast. The movie is set against the stunning Sydney backdrop and the music score and cinematography are impressive. This movie made me laugh and cry... a roller coaster of emotions at times.

A movie with twists and turns and the ending with a few surprises....

A great Aussie film! Definitely will recommend to my friends.