IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Traumatized by her mother's death, a 6-year-old girl stops talking, but is cared for by her three uncles. The story unfolds as all of them discover the importance of family.Traumatized by her mother's death, a 6-year-old girl stops talking, but is cared for by her three uncles. The story unfolds as all of them discover the importance of family.Traumatized by her mother's death, a 6-year-old girl stops talking, but is cared for by her three uncles. The story unfolds as all of them discover the importance of family.
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- 1 nomination total
Dawn McKelvie Cyr
- Ms. Ames
- (as Dawn Cyr)
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Eloise Mumford is 26 in this 2012 movie and is great. She starred in Just in Time for Christmas (2015) which was a perfect movie. Love her telling the story here of the Fairy who lives in the doll house. One such moment made me tear up. Loved her happy Irish dancing. Sean Faris as the uncle turned dad is a familiar face and does an adequate job. I watched this about 4 years ago and this second time it seemed better. The high 7.0 rating probably comes from the nature of the story a little girl (Holly) loses her mother and as a result has stopped talking. The Christmas theme seems a bit forced in this story.
The opening scene with the bride left at the altar was unnecessary and appeared to be way out of place; it gives you a false impression of what the movie's plot will be. Fortunately, the direction the movie takes is much better than what you'd expect from the awkward opening.
The back story of the young mother who recently passed away, on the other hand, would have been useful but that's the omitted story you only learn bits of from dialog. Her daughter Holly in the grief of her loss, shut down and became non-verbal. Custody of the child was given to the youngest of her three uncles as per her mother's will.
The highlight is the acting of the twin sisters who play Holly; very sweet and the character is very sympathetic. The struggles her guardian uncle is facing in learning "on the job" to raise her work well in the story. The constant arguing of the uncles was somewhat annoying, but those issues are resolved and the story ends up being stronger for it. Finally, there is a romance that develops involving the shop owner (the abandoned bride) and the couple interact well together.
The fact it's set at Christmas time is a superfluous throw-away. This story could have been set with any backdrop.
The interaction of the characters works well, and although the plot doesn't have much dramatic conflict, there are some scenes that are very heartwarming to see, mostly those that feature Holly.
The back story of the young mother who recently passed away, on the other hand, would have been useful but that's the omitted story you only learn bits of from dialog. Her daughter Holly in the grief of her loss, shut down and became non-verbal. Custody of the child was given to the youngest of her three uncles as per her mother's will.
The highlight is the acting of the twin sisters who play Holly; very sweet and the character is very sympathetic. The struggles her guardian uncle is facing in learning "on the job" to raise her work well in the story. The constant arguing of the uncles was somewhat annoying, but those issues are resolved and the story ends up being stronger for it. Finally, there is a romance that develops involving the shop owner (the abandoned bride) and the couple interact well together.
The fact it's set at Christmas time is a superfluous throw-away. This story could have been set with any backdrop.
The interaction of the characters works well, and although the plot doesn't have much dramatic conflict, there are some scenes that are very heartwarming to see, mostly those that feature Holly.
A good adaptation ? off course ! a Christmas film ? yes. and no. it could be defined as revelation, surprise, moving experience. for so many reasons. first - for Sean Faris escaping from the clothes of Never Back Down and Pearl Harbour. and giving a real good performance. the second - for the science to be more than the expected Christmas romance/comedy of season. dramatic, delicate, smart, credible, sweet and clever. not the last - for the house of Nagle brothers. and for the translation of chemistry of lead characters by actors. a film preserving the original recipes. but using it in real, real inspired manner. so, see it !
This movie starts pulling the heartstrings from the first scene where Maggie is left at the altar. (And yes that scene helps establish the mindset of Maggie.) The writers did pile on with sentimental moments. An adorable little girl. And I do mean adorable, and she doesn't speak. There's even a dog, and don't forget the fairy.
Eloise Mumford is well cast in this role. She and Sean Farris connect and Mumford also with Josie Gallina as Holly. Both relationships are part of the appeal of this movie.
I don't think anyone has any doubts about where the story is going, but that doesn't matter. You know what's coming but that doesn't make it any less heartwarming. It's great to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
This story is as much about family as it is a romance. Unfortunately the Maggie/Mark part of the story is a little bit rushed. In the 90 minute TV movie format, it had to be, and I can't see how the could have shortened anything else.
The uncles/brothers throw in some goofiness. And there's some other funny moments like Maggie tripping off the curb and the aftermath.
Side note: Mumford and Farris team up a few years later in A Veteran's Christmas. Of the four Hallmark movies to date, I think this is Mumford's best.
Eloise Mumford is well cast in this role. She and Sean Farris connect and Mumford also with Josie Gallina as Holly. Both relationships are part of the appeal of this movie.
I don't think anyone has any doubts about where the story is going, but that doesn't matter. You know what's coming but that doesn't make it any less heartwarming. It's great to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
This story is as much about family as it is a romance. Unfortunately the Maggie/Mark part of the story is a little bit rushed. In the 90 minute TV movie format, it had to be, and I can't see how the could have shortened anything else.
The uncles/brothers throw in some goofiness. And there's some other funny moments like Maggie tripping off the curb and the aftermath.
Side note: Mumford and Farris team up a few years later in A Veteran's Christmas. Of the four Hallmark movies to date, I think this is Mumford's best.
10asascy
I have read other reviews posted, saying it was sappy with uninteresting characters and I say, NOT! If you are the type of person who attends film festivals and thrives on subtitles, maybe so. If you just need a plain old fashioned heart warming tale, this is it! Needless to say, I purchased it for my collection. I am a hopeless romantic and I love Christmas, so this was a given. I think it is a wonderful story of love lost and love found, of family trials and the enduring spirit of a families ties. I say give it a chance and you will not leave without shedding a tear or bursting out in joyous laughter. I have five brothers, so the brother scenes are a hoot! Break out the popcorn and tissues!
Did you know
- TriviaThe coffee house that Sean Faris' character owns, "T.A.N. Coffee", is an actual café in Nova Scotia which operates by the same name.
- GoofsWhile supposedly on Friday Harbor, an island in Washington State, there is an announcement that the ferry is leaving for Bellingham (Washington). The ferry from Friday Harbor to the mainland goes to Anacortes, not Bellingham.
- Quotes
Holly Nagle: [With the three Nagle brothers, pointing to Alex and then looking at Mark] He's my favorite uncle. So is Uncle Scott... And, you think you can be my dad?
- SoundtracksThe First Noël
(uncredited)
Traditional
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Різдво з Голлі
- Filming locations
- 40 Water St Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada(T.A.N. Coffee Shop)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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