A Town Without Christmas

What a lovely movie. Not the standard Christmas movie (though I like those as well). We can often get caught up in the busy-ness (is that a word?!) of life, and especially at Christmas, and forget to remember the real meaning of Christmas. And Rick Roberts, as always, was adorable.

Behold! The one decent Hallmark-style Christmas film that doesn't absolutely suck!

Loved the first 60 minutes of this movie. We have mystery, fun and excitement. A reporter sent, wonderful paintings predicting future events, a kind act by the reporter for which the lady gave her a red coat and she twirls. Then the story sort of falls apart for me, it gets real weak. Now we end with this pageant which is going to be canceled because the power is shut off. Our hero finds Peter Falk as the magical Max and gets candles so we can have Christmas. This confusion put me to sleep. My wife agreed that the candle part was pretty lame but she would rate the movie a little higher. I am just disappointed they weren't more creative about the ending. Actually they may have been a bit lazy about the ending.

This teleplay, scripted by Michael J. Murray, is a pleasant holiday charmer. While there's nothing new here (it combines elements of practically every version of "A Christmas Carol," including the darkly edgy "Scrooged"), earnest, understated performances by Patricia Heaton and Peter Falk (he's still alive?!?) make "A Town Without Christmas" worth a watch. My vote? A mild 6.

Review Date 7/13/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films, & Christmas Television Movies , & Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever produced. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.

Chris, a young boy in the Pacific Northwest town of Seacliff, Washington, goes missing. Before he disappears, he writes a letter to Santa Claus, wishing that he would no longer exist in order to not trouble his divorcing parents.

Concerned that Chris is in danger of taking his own life, locals set out to find the missing child. Among them are struggling writer David Reynolds (Rick Roberts), jaded big-city reporter M.J. Jensen (Patricia Heaton), and Max (Peter Falk), a kind yet mysterious elderly man .

A few twist here and there keep this film moving along. The acting is great and the story maybe a little dark it is however a truth that we should avoid. Maybe not for the under 8 10 set but it is a film that doesn't fail in getting its message across but in a subtle way. Worth watching!