Wishin' and Hopin'

A very loving Christmas story, well directed and played by a fine cast. The lead character is especially enjoyable, as such a story demands, and there is not the usual Hollywood overplay on bad versus good characters. Everyone has their own personality as people do, neither dastardly nor saintly, just people/kids. My wife and her sister watched it with me, we are TCM and movie fans in general. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I did, by the way, experience many Catholic Christmas school plays as a child. Our parish priest was not a heavy drinker, he smoked a cigar, some of the nuns were certainly way out there, and the kids mostly looked at the old round clock waiting for 3pm. Lay teachers were uncommon but I had one in 4th grade, not as colorful as Molly Ringwald, but just as devoted.

The book was a great read. When I heard they made a movie, I had reservations. I was fortunate enough to attend the first showing and I'm glad I did. It was tastefully made and it doesn't matter how old you are, you will laugh from beginning to end. Wally knew what he wanted when he perfectly cast the six leading kids. Wyatt Ralff (Felix), Quinn McColgan (Rosalie), Olivia Pungitore (Pauline), Siobhon Cohen (Zhenya), Christopher Bogomus (Marion) and Shawn Ervin (Lonny). The kids acting abilities certainly stole the show, not to discredit Molly Ringwald, Annebella Sciora, Danny Nucci. In most movies, we all fall in love with the leading character and this is no different. Felix is adorable, talented and will be a household name real soon. The other kids very talented but we have seen their characters many times in many films. Zhenya (Siobhan Cohen) was fantastic and a breath of fresh air. My favorite has to go to a supporting role. I fell in love with Pauline Papelbon (Olivia Pungitore) who caught my attention since the trailer. Her strapping performance, shy, quiet demeanor had a powerful punch, along with those adorable cheeks, certain to see her in future films. Carmila Banus and Sosie Bacon performances fit their part perfectly. Meatloaf, Cheri Oteri, Blanche Baker, Conchata Ferell and Jesse James all cast sensational.

While watching this film, the question of "Holiday Classic" kept coming to mind. First, we thoroughly enjoyed watching this film as a family. The story line is entertaining throughout. The pace is lively and engaging. The slice of time, along with vibrant writing helps bring nostalgia to the forefront. The bits of coming of age humor make the film just edgy enough to keep you surprised. The film has the feel of "A Christmas Story" without repeating it. The seasoned actors such as Molly Ringwald and Conchata Ferrell were great, but I think the young actors such as Wyatt Ralff, Quinn McColgan and Siobhan Cohen helped cement this film into Holiday Classic status.

Wishin' and Hopin' is an untypical Lifetime movie based on a nostalgic book about a Connecticut kid Felix Funicello a 10 year old at a Catholic school whose quirky family own a small diner and are related to a famous celebrity.

He gets to all sorts of scrapes at school with his friends and the film centres on the class preparing for the Christmas play at school when they get a new substitute teacher from Quebec as well as a new student from Russia.

The film did remind me somewhat of A Christmas Story? with all the nostalgia and the narration is provided by Chevy Chase as the older Felix.

The film has a barbed look back at school days of the 1960s, poking fun at Catholic teachers, the Monsignor is played by Meat Loaf! You encounter the kind of classmates I had at school and also see them on the verge of puberty although at 10 years old they were rather early for puberty.

I never really found this plot heavy and nostalgia only can take you so far. It kind of reminded me of shows like The Wonder Years and Chevy Chase's narration told me that Felix must had lived a hard life as its taken it out in his voice.

We went to the premier with out 8 and 10 year old daughters with cautious optimism as there has not been a worthy Christmas movie since Elf. To our amazement we were entertained for the full 90 minutes. The lead actor Wyatt Ralff made his on screen debut with the flare of a seasoned professional (and to think he is only 10). The casting was perfect and the set was realistic 1960's. Growing up catholic, It brought back many childhood memories. The audience was engaged and laughing throughout the premier. Narration by Chevy Chase was perfection. It is destine to become a Christmas classic. A must see for all ages.