Engaging Father Christmas

Those who rated low maybe are expecting award-winning performances. I personally think that this is as good Hallmark gets. Maybe there were a few things I didn't agree with but compared to the messes that there were this year, those where just details.

I was such a fan of the first movie and luckily this one didn't disappointed me. I even understood the family's point of view of the conflict.

Miranda and Ian were even cuter than in the first movie, the chemistry was so much better. And it was kind of predictable from the first moment but it was such a good movie i'm letting that go.

Hallmark does a really good job at making me love Christmas. It really makes me want to sit next to the fire and read while drinking hot chocolate. Cliché, I know.

This movie, & series is probably the best out there for Christmas!! I am excited to see the third installment when it comes out in a few weeks!! This series has it all, comedy, some wondering & most of all heart!! Heart is what movies have been lacking from Hollywood really, & originality!! I'm not going to ruin anything for anyone who hasn't seen theses movie but I will say this, I cry every time I see these first two movies. I actually own this & the first on dvd. I am one that really doesn't listen to reviews because a lot of people get PAID to give reviews, (if you understand my meaning). So when someone says after they try to bash others reviews that they are not bias or anything like that, you ignore them!! Those are bias because they are paid to post reviews on places like this & rooten tomatoes!! I do give honest reviews & a lot of mine have been negative!! Just see these movies & decide for yourself!!

Yes, the titles are a twist, but adds to the intrigue! I love both of these Hallmark movies. I missed seeing "Finding Father Christmas", last season, as my dau and grand-dau were visiting from Rio. But WHAT A DOUBLE TREAT this season!! I loved both! And especially Niall Matter as Ian! Yes the story is a bit bizarre, but the acting was superb for me! I liked the array of a strong cast. I hope to see them again next season, having seen them each twice already this year! All Hallmark movies are predictable, but this had a few curves to navigate. They just gave me so much enjoyment and lifted me into the holiday season. Going to get to baking today!! Hope the authors, Gunn & Golden are busy writing next years part 3!

Both movies, starting with "Finding Father Christmas" complement each other VERY nicely. Very Well Directed, and 'Miranda' (Erin Krakow) comes across as a very believable / sensitive character, searching for answers leading to the identity of her real father, and her place with a far away unsuspecting family (back east, in Vermont), far removed from her Seattle connections. Her subtle but highly talented acting skills convincingly captures the audience, and takes them on a sentimental journey into solving a family mystery, and her place in not only finding who is 'Father Christmas', but the meaning of Christmas, itself ! Some subtle changes between the first movie, and the second movie are inherent, as you plunge into the sequel: "Engaging Father Christmas"... Daughter Julia Whitcomb changes young actresses (from the first movie), and one of the premises, behind the family mystery.. 'the captivating poem', behind the mystery to: "the beguiling eve".. actually changes content (a subtle line is added to the original poem, in the second movie. as was initially introduced in the first movie); But these are subtle elements / modifications that actually complement the overall finish product.

BOTH - GREAT FAMILY HOLIDAY productions - a Must See !! But these are so good, you do not have to wait for the Holiday Season, to enjoy. Can't wait for the third movie to be released, (could it be: "Marrying Father Christmas" (??). High marks in this quality holiday drama series, as we have come to know and love - both Miranda and Ian, in this instant Christmas Classic journey...

In writing this review, I am reminded by one of the 'hallmark' quotes, from the movie, that stand out - as that we should be reminded: "May Truth and Grace Reside Here".. how poignant.

Our public library added this movie on DVD and my wife and I watched it at home, just under 85 minutes with no commercials!

Erin Krakow is a cutie and a capable actress, she plays Miranda Chester in this second in a series of movies telling her story. She lives and works in Seattle but is traveling back again to Vermont for Christmas. She had found out her real father was a now deceased famous actor and she was welcomed by his primary family, wife and grown children, but cautioned not to tell anyone else about her real father. They thought it would bring shame and tarnish his memory.

However a reporter finds out, confronts her, and announces his intention to write a story. She can either help or not. But working together the extended family figure out a way to handle it all in a productive manner, in the spirit of "family" for the Holidays.

The other story involves Miranda's boyfriend she had met the previous Christmas, he is a local and they both seemed right for each other. So the "Engaging" in the title of the movie is a reference to their intent to eventually get married.

It is a bit too sweet at certain moments, as Hallmark movie tend to be but overall it is good, clean entertainment for the holidays. We enjoyed it.