Amanda (Larisa Oleynik) a corporate analyst who's sent from Washington to ailing businesses to "cut the fat" which means firing employees and often closing them. This time it so happens it's a Christmas ornament factory (which is more like a family of artisans in which objects are lovingly handmade)in her old home town which her old high school boyfriend Jesse(Aaron Ashmore) has inherited and runs. As often in Lifetime Christmas movies, Jesse's a sad young widower with a loving bond to his son Danny (Dylan Kingwell). Danny's a big Santa fan, and has written Santa for someone special for his lonely dad. Amanda rekindles her old flame for Jesse and vice versa, and figures out a plan to save the ornament factory without layoffs. However, her Washington bosses reject it. Amanda quickly loses her popularity with Jesse's employees and alienates Jesse as she starts firing half the work force right before Christmas.
Meantime, a charming and distinguished man with a beard, Mr. Tomley (Kevin McNulty) has been looking all over town for a trinket valuable to him. Danny has found it. He thinks it's a magical charm or amulet of Santa's sled operation without which there won't be a Christmas. When Amanda and Jesse take Mr Tomley to Danny to return it, Danny is convinced Mr. Tomley is Santa. But the "amulet" has been lost! In looking for the lost charm , events happen which eventually unite all three Amanda, Jesse and Danny. Plus, do you think the factory is saved, and all come back to work? One hint: It's a Christmas movie!
Yes, "Wish Upon a Christmas" is loaded with clichés and predictable situations. It pretty much adheres to Lifetime Christmas formulas. it's awash with romantic fantasy. That said,it's gratifying that the plot has been artfully woven to have both natural and supernatural explanations. Fantasy is not just rammed down our throats. Children and romantics can delight in the magic, skeptics can find credibility in this pleasant tale. It's a predictable tale but sweetly told. The actors are engaging and attractive. Larisa Oleynik plays Amanda with easy charm and humor, and is credible as a corporate executive. Aaron Ashmore (Jesse)is a great dad and idealistic factory owner. He's very likable and persuasive. He looks a bit, and has a vibe similar to Neil Patrick Harris. Dylan Kingwell as the boy Danny, has just the right dewy-eyed look of winsome innocence to effectively deliver some really fanciful lines. Delightful Dylan is a central character and does a splendid job.
The small-town setting is charming, with great wooded areas and beautiful old homes.There a great supporting cast. Alan Thicke plays Amanda's retired jovial dad, who phones her periodically to give her advice. The factory artisans who interact with Jesse and each other in a folksy, family way.There's a cranky old sculptor,and a sweet matronly supervisor who passes around pecan candy during work hours. All in all, "Wish Upon a Christmas" is a very pleasant Christmas film that will make you warm all over, like hot chocolate or spiked eggnog. Food for your heart, not your mind. It may usher in your Christmas spirit.
Meantime, a charming and distinguished man with a beard, Mr. Tomley (Kevin McNulty) has been looking all over town for a trinket valuable to him. Danny has found it. He thinks it's a magical charm or amulet of Santa's sled operation without which there won't be a Christmas. When Amanda and Jesse take Mr Tomley to Danny to return it, Danny is convinced Mr. Tomley is Santa. But the "amulet" has been lost! In looking for the lost charm , events happen which eventually unite all three Amanda, Jesse and Danny. Plus, do you think the factory is saved, and all come back to work? One hint: It's a Christmas movie!
Yes, "Wish Upon a Christmas" is loaded with clichés and predictable situations. It pretty much adheres to Lifetime Christmas formulas. it's awash with romantic fantasy. That said,it's gratifying that the plot has been artfully woven to have both natural and supernatural explanations. Fantasy is not just rammed down our throats. Children and romantics can delight in the magic, skeptics can find credibility in this pleasant tale. It's a predictable tale but sweetly told. The actors are engaging and attractive. Larisa Oleynik plays Amanda with easy charm and humor, and is credible as a corporate executive. Aaron Ashmore (Jesse)is a great dad and idealistic factory owner. He's very likable and persuasive. He looks a bit, and has a vibe similar to Neil Patrick Harris. Dylan Kingwell as the boy Danny, has just the right dewy-eyed look of winsome innocence to effectively deliver some really fanciful lines. Delightful Dylan is a central character and does a splendid job.
The small-town setting is charming, with great wooded areas and beautiful old homes.There a great supporting cast. Alan Thicke plays Amanda's retired jovial dad, who phones her periodically to give her advice. The factory artisans who interact with Jesse and each other in a folksy, family way.There's a cranky old sculptor,and a sweet matronly supervisor who passes around pecan candy during work hours. All in all, "Wish Upon a Christmas" is a very pleasant Christmas film that will make you warm all over, like hot chocolate or spiked eggnog. Food for your heart, not your mind. It may usher in your Christmas spirit.