Glucedee
It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.
Taha Avalos
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
NJS
I loved this movie! It just shows you that you can't always trust ratings. We all have our standards I guess. I'm a lover of Hallmark movies and I hate sad endings. For me, this movie was incredibly heart-warming and gave the message that doing the right thing will always win. Jason Gray-Stanford (some of you may remember him from Monk as Lt. Randy Disher) was 100% believable in his character. At first the movie seemed like a slap-stick sort of comedy but it quickly became clear there was more depth to it after awhile. Don't shy away from this movie because of the beginning. Stay with it and you'll be pleasantly surprised. One of my top favs.
Stephen Abell
This is not really a Christmas film, it's a romance set at Christmas time. So there's no real festive spirit or seasonal joy.What you do get though is a more realistic, than normal, love story. Elizabeth Berkley does a great job playing the struggling mother who wants to give her son everything while having the job she dreams of. She works hard at three jobs trying to bring her dreams to fruition. So when she wins the lottery all her dreams come true... only to be ripped to shreds when her car is "borrowed", along with the winning lottery ticket. She does a great job showing the emotional roller-coaster she's on... and before things get better they get worse.Jason Grey-Stanford does a passable job of depicting the charmer who, unintentionally gets pulled into Elizabeth Berkley's life. There are a few laughs and heartwarming moments along the way, but I doff my cap to the writers and director for taking a more realistic storytelling path.In all the glitzy, schmaltzy, Christmas tales this is a breath of fresh air; one that I would recommend. If it's repeated in a couple of years I'll probably give it a second viewing.
adoptshelterpetstoday
(what Hallmark Christmas movie isn't predictable, folks?) I absolutely loved this movie! Nothing corny, air-headed, or drab like some HC movies. Elizabeth Berkeley played a realistic, down-to-earth person in realistic situations perfectly: if anything can go wrong for a good, decent person, it will. "Holly," a lovely, sincere female, who was dealt an undeserved and unfair shafting, is struggling to make ends meet, as well as raising her son alone to the best of her ability....while desiring to fulfill a major goal as a café owner. Yet, there is always some scoundrel who tries to take advantage of her with her potential fortune........"Holly" came across as a very likable person, someone who would make a good, trustworthy friend.I didn't care for "Mike's" looks. His eyes seemed sinister and insincere. (It was like you didn't want her to be burnt again). But his heart was in the right place, and Elizabeth's appearance and performance wonderfully countered his expressions.........And finally, Wow! that was a nerve-wracking close call to 12 midnight! ***Congratulations, Holly!*** "Happy LEON!"
Zoooma
A decent Hallmark Channel Original Movie starring Elizabeth Berkley (Saved By The Bell, Showgirls) and Jason Gray-Stanford (the clutzy detective on Monk.) Both turned in pretty good performances in this quite predictable average romance set at Christmastime. It really has very little do with Christmas, which is sad because that's what a freakin' Christmas movie should be -- Christmasy! But with so many produced for television every year, many of the stories are stale yada yada yada that could almost just as easily take place in August. This is one of those. Not too terrible, though. Surely could be a lot worse but when it comes to their Made-for-TV movies, Hallmark Channel routinely has at least average productions... and if you know their cards, they're dripping with sap.--A Kat Pirate Screener
