Under the Mistletoe

Firstly, many Canadian movies have nothing to do with hockey games - and American movies have been known to feature them as well. But what I found strange were the summer clothes and palm trees at Christmas time, when the movie was made in British Columbia. We've had some warm winters - but palm trees? It was obvious to me that the location was not somewhere in the southern US like Florida or California so shooting a Christmas movie in the middle of summer in Canada just doesn't cut it. This movie didn't fully engage me on other levels as well and it was at times difficult to stay focused on it. I agree that it does have the feel of a Hallmark.

I'm writing this review while watching this movie. I missed the first 40 minutes. With that being said the mom is 28 years old (real life in 2006) and the son is 14 years old. Is it me, or is there something wrong with this?

While I was expecting a "not too bad" TV movie, I was thoroughly surprised at the quality of this film. I found it totally believable and especially likable. The principal characters were extremely engaging. The story was very touching and the filming beautifully done. I even found myself thinking of the characters throughout the rest of the day and even for a few days afterward, always with a warm thought.

One of the main reasons this movie works so well is because of the son, Jonathon. Many movies with kids are irritating and hard to get through because of the precociousness of the kids. Jonathon on the other hand is a truly likable young man even though he is going through a lot of "stuff". You never catch this young man "acting" and his portrayal of this character is topnotch.

I would like to say "Well Done" to everyone on this film and encourage all to watch. This is a keeper!

A slushy romance full of saccharin, but it's still good.

When Jonathan's Dad dies in a car accident, nobody believes that he can still see and talk to his spirit, as he tries to get his Mother to move on in her life, so that his Dad can move on into the spirit world.

It's not the standard romance and there is something about Michael Shanks that is fanciable, together that helps to make this an enjoyable festive watch, even if the kid is somewhat annoying.

Christmas stories often have an ethereal spirit which leads the main character(s) to a new awareness or life. "The Christmas Story" is a prime example where the ghost of Robert Marley and the other "spirits" lead Scrooge to a new life of loving and giving. Much in the same vein, "Under The Mistletoe" engages the audience in the same manner, without seeming derivative. It is a wholesome, modern Christmas film, that should become a yearly favorite. Jaimie Ray Newman radiates on screen. She is totally believable as the mourning widow with a son who can not let go of his father, who has died, but remains visible to him. Burkley Duffiled as her son is a fine young actor, handsome, and natural as the loner who can only see into the other world. Michael Shanks, as the new father in his life, is refreshing in his departure from "Stargate". And Connan Graham fulfills his role as the "ghost", the departed father, admirably. The action hockey sequence is bound to engage the hockey fans and the kids as in the "Mighty Ducks". Well produced and put together film with a sure and steady hand in directing.