A Joyous Christmas

Review Date 7/1/2018

Kicking off my 2018 Holiday movie watch begins with this film

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 Christmas MOVIES. On all Christmas movies BEWARE OF FAKE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. Many reviewers have only have ONE REVIEW. When it's a POSITIVE REVIEW chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. If its a negative review then they may have a huge grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.

In this film A successful motivational speaker learns the true meaning of Christmas when a stranger rescues her from a near-fatal accident. Upon her rescue she stumbles upon this woman fight to save a community center. As the movie moves along these women lives become entangled with one another and they become each others support.

Thie film is not great but it has it some great moments.

I truly enjoyed this movie the first time I watched it, even though I figured out Joy's secret. I don't want to leave a spoiler on this review, so as not to ruin it for others. How I'm watching it for the third time and am bored. Probably because I know the secrets, plot twists and outcome. I do recommend this movie if you haven't seen it, but for myself, it's not one I care to watch every season.

The one thing I didn't like about the movie was Joy. She had NO joy, was sour-faced throughout the whole movie. She never smiled!

Yes, she had sadness in her past, but when a miracle happened in her life, she had the same expression. She did not believe that you must love yourself before you are able to give love to others. Not a selfish "Me Only" kind of love of oneself, but an acceptance.

She was always giving her time and energies to others because she carried so much guilt. Yet there was no progression in her character at all. It could have been a better movie with different casting or different directing, not sure which was the problem.

Although some reviewers didn't like her work in this movie, I thought Bonnie Bedelia did a convincing job depicting Joy, a broken, perpetually sad woman trying to help others. She was slow moving, slow talking, and withdrawn because that is in line with her sad and depressed character, especially when we learn why she's so sad. It's probably also worth pointing out that Bedelia was nominated for two Emmy awards and has been in countless TV shows and movies including the first 2 Die Hard movies (she was Holly McClane).

Michael Rady and Natalie Knepp were both fine. Rady has done good work at Hallmark (my favorite so far is Christmas in Homestead). Knepp, on the other hand, seems to be one and done at Hallmark. She apparently hasn't acted in much since. I liked her, but it's a tough business.

There are 2 big problems with A Joyous Christmas. One is the Big Reveal. It's not just implausible, it's insanely unlikely. It's like in Dumb and Dumber when Jim Carrey is told the chance of being with Lauren Holly is "one in a million" and he says "so you're telling me there's a chance?".

And he had way better odds than the odds of what is disclosed during this movie's Big Reveal.

The other big problem is the whole "Me First" self help phenomenon that somehow justifies a pricey big production "Event" in Rachel's hometown during Christmas. I've seen plenty of lectures and they're basically somebody standing on the stage in front of a lectern, or sitting on a couch or chair, talking for an hour. Occasionally, there's a multi media presentation projected on the screen behind the speaker. There's also, inevitably, a Teleprompter to help them out. There's not a whole lot of "production" involved, and there certainly wasn't any evidence of any special production with the "Me First" event despite all the scrambling around to "get ready". Basic Christmas decorations don't count.

And Rachel's brother, and his kids, would likely have been bored out of their minds.

Plus, a "Me First" "Christmas spectacular" makes about as much sense as a Fourth of July celebration in Russia. How can Rachel promote her "Me First" brand in the midst of a holiday season centered around the selflessness of Christmas? Why would anyone set that up? And why would a successful producer just happen to be in their small town ready to work?

And if Rachel is inevitably convinced to wrap herself up in the Christmas spirit, and give a speech that embraces the selflessness of Christmas, how does that promote her "Me First" brand? In fact, doesn't that just undermine her book's message? And thereby invalidate her entire career?

Throughout my whole Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas film completest quest undertaken namely late last year through to early this year, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmark's output. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. One could see that with most of Hallmark's output but not all.

'A Joyous Christmas' is neither one of the best or worst Hallmark Christmas films. It's another one that is firmly in the middle, with not a lot that is done wrong other than some major story issues but with little that is wow-worthy or extraordinary. 'A Joyous Christmas' is one of those type of films where everything is present and correct and with a lot done right, but also one of those type of films that could have done with more spark and with more joy. If asked whether it's recommended, my personal answer would be yes with a small y.

Will get the not so good out of the way. The story is pleasant enough, but there are times where it does try to include too much and some of it is underdeveloped and on the bland side. Some things happen too quickly and too conveniently, in a credibility straining way which does make for some convoluted parts. There is not much that is unique, with the film playing it too safe.

Rachel was neither interesting or endearing, with not enough character growth. Her indecisiveness is frustrating and Natalie Knepp didn't always seem at ease.

However, a lot is done well. Joy is much easier to empathise with and grows as a character. Bonnie Bedelia plays her very movingly. The best performance comes from Michael Rady, understated while never looking bored and very charming and very sympathetic. The chemistry between him and Bedelia is very genuine and not sugary sweet. The production values still manage to be pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Some of the music has some pleasant nostalgic moments.

Dialogue isn't stilted and doesn't go too heavy on the cheese or schmaltz. While the story was problematic, it was not a disaster by any stretch. Is light-hearted and really warms the heart without going into over-saccharine territory despite being familiar territory in tropes and thematically. Most of the characters are fine, apart from Rachel's indecisiveness.

On the whole, nice enough but didn't wow me. 6/10.