Shoelaces for Christmas

Despite the fact that the usually gorgeous Bailey Chase was in this one, I couldn't watch it to the end or for that matter more than fifteen minutes. The depressing direction in which it was going, with what was going to be a very moral message I'm sure, was not the way I wanted to go today and I don't generally like being made miserable at the best of times.

Sadly, the close ups and unfiltered Bailey did not do him justice either. They must have spent the make-up budget on the evil and plastic teenagers.

I can't score it, because I didn't finish it.

It's an uplifting Christmas movie, with establishing shots in Salt Lake City. I highly recommend it!

This is one of those feel good movies that's a tear-jerker and plays with your emotions. Expect to be moved.

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Hopes actually were not low for 'Shoelaces for Christmas'. The title is not the most inspired or interesting of ones, it also doesn't really match the plot synopsis and turned out to be misleading. Have made no secret about being a big fan of Christmas and have liked and loved many Christmas films and specials. Really liked the idea of the story too, with a deep and serious theme that sounded like with the right execution 'Shoelaces for Christmas' would be a moving film.

It did thankfully turn out to be that. 'Shoelaces for Christmas' didn't strike me as a great film and is less than perfect. There are though a lot of great things about it, its good intentions are worthy of admiration and a less than easy topic is handled sensitively. It is deeper and more serious than most Christmas films seen in the few years and is a welcome departure from the more of the same basic formula that Hallmark and Lifetime films (of which 'Shoelaces for Christmas' is neither) adopt.

'Shoelaces for Christmas' succeeds in many areas. It looks good, simply but never cheaply shot and the scenery is lovely on the eyes. The music avoids being too constant or over-scored and captures the essence of Christmas quite well. The direction lets the drama breathe while not letting it get sluggish. The beginning is absolutely beautiful.

The acting is very good, with movingly dignified turns from Yolanda Stanger and Ivey Lloyd Mitchell in roles that could have been too sentimental but actually the two most relatable ones. While not caring for Jennifer for too much of the film's duiration, Mia Topalian's performance is game and quite spirited. The script is well meaning and thoughtful, mostly not being mawkish and it flows well. The story is not over-deliberate and is genuinely moving, the family dynamic is sensitively done and worth investing in and most of the characters are ones worth caring about.

By all means 'Shoelaces for Christmas' isn't perfect. Did feel that the ending was slightly too pat and could have slowed down in pace and there are moments where the sentiment is slightly overdone. Others have mentioned the unrealistic chemotherapy look.

My biggest issues concerned the character writing and development for Jennifer. Did not find her a character worth rooting for, with the film committing two of my biggest bugbears with character writing, exaggerating character flaws and out of nowhere character changes. Her self-absorbed and selfish trait to her personality is overwritten and Jennifer agreed never grows or progresses enough for any changes of heart to be believable. The change was too out of nowhere and felt too tacked on and convenient.

Overall though, this was good. 7/10.

While the idea of a simple gift could have made a wonderful plot line, either the director or the screenwriter(s) dropped the ball on this one. The main character was plunged too quickly from horrible selfish girl to loving girl, there is no real transition - it was too forced. After noticing that it was written by two guys, that explains a lot as there was no real sense of the depth in the lead character.