If You Believe

It is Christmas time and someone is unhappy with their life. Something out of the ordinary happens and forces them to change and with the change comes some sense of redemption.

OK, you've seen this dozens of times, I could name several movies where the same thing happens, why is this movie any different and any better? The answer is the wonderful chemistry between Ally Walker and Hayden Panettiere. They argue, they fight, they come together. Can you believe it! I am recommending a classic chick flick to everyone. But I have to admit it, I am sending a copy of this film to all my brothers and sisters for Christmas.

I loved "If You Believe!" It was a refreshing look at the Christmas story. Ally was wonderful as was her 7 yr old counterpart Hayden... They made the concepts of faith, hope and joy of the season come alive. Ally shows her versatility as an actress in her character's transition from hopeless to joyful.

I have only seen this movie once but was extremely touched by it. The original concept of having a character's past self being able to relate to the present self is terrific. I enjoyed all performances, but I have to say that Hayden Panettiere left a lasting impression. The movie comes to a satisfactory conclusion, leaving a "what-if-I..." flavour with the viewer. Using the Suzie character as part of the rest of the family created a more believable scenario than simply presenting her "as is". I wondered if we would recognize ourselves as children if in the same situation. I tended to think it would be impossible not to - but then again, having seen lots of photos of family and friends as children, I realize it might be possible to see a similarity without instantly identifying oneself in another. This turned out to be a gentle and satisfying little Christmas movie which left room for thought when it was over.

OK, I'm a sucker for fairy tales with a happy ending, and, I like the understated, lively portrayals by the two lead actresses, especially Hayden Panetierre as...our unhappy heroine as a child. The "fairy godmother" as a ten-year-old with attitude - excellent.

Not Academy Award stuff, but definitely a movie I'll watch with a date next Christmas. I gave it a 9.

This movie started out a little depressing, but I stuck with it because someone mentioned in another review that it's a great movie about listening to your inner child.

The reviewer was right, it's a great movie about inner child healing, listening to your younger self when you were a child.

The second half of the movie had a beautiful home and a red truck and lots of snow and a train station and a great relationship and a golden retriever! Lol. Everything you could once in a great Christmas movie.

(apparently I don't have enough characters in my review to leave a review so I'm just saying some more words here, lol)