It is true that Christmas movies tend to follow a formula. That is what makes us watch them with the comfort and anticipation that comes with familiarity. This movie had all the components of a typical holiday movie. A romance breaks up, the leading lady travels to a new town, she meets a precocious and bright little pre-teen girl who makes the visitor feel welcome and optimistic. And then one meets the little girl's father.
Somewhere along the way. This handsome man was not directed appropriately for his role. He is a widower, father of a charming little girl, an academic, a star-gazer, and a man with a perpetual, empty, vacant, meaningless smile.
It almost felt as though this actor was auditioning for a toothpaste commercial. What was the possible reason for his smiling in every single scene for the entire time he was shown on screen? He chats with an old buddy (who is speaking seriously about the dad's widowhood,his single parenting, his reluctance to try a new dating life, etc..) and still,the fellow sits and smiles.
It was baffling to watch this poor fellow acting without any nuance or any direction.
Well, probably every holiday movie can't quite make the top ten list. This one surely had along way to go. It had every promising component, but one very glaring feature was its distraction from success.
The young girl was wonderful to watch. She is a real actress. The leading lady was charming, had a captivating , nuanced style. The neighbor, played by Viveca A. Fox looked as though her makeup was bit overdone. Her face and color looked waxy. Her role, however, was beautifully played and had mature meaning.
This film could have been a real winner. Sadly, no one was supervising when the young dad smiled his way though every minute of every scene. The story around him was charming and very sweet. Better direction next time!
Somewhere along the way. This handsome man was not directed appropriately for his role. He is a widower, father of a charming little girl, an academic, a star-gazer, and a man with a perpetual, empty, vacant, meaningless smile.
It almost felt as though this actor was auditioning for a toothpaste commercial. What was the possible reason for his smiling in every single scene for the entire time he was shown on screen? He chats with an old buddy (who is speaking seriously about the dad's widowhood,his single parenting, his reluctance to try a new dating life, etc..) and still,the fellow sits and smiles.
It was baffling to watch this poor fellow acting without any nuance or any direction.
Well, probably every holiday movie can't quite make the top ten list. This one surely had along way to go. It had every promising component, but one very glaring feature was its distraction from success.
The young girl was wonderful to watch. She is a real actress. The leading lady was charming, had a captivating , nuanced style. The neighbor, played by Viveca A. Fox looked as though her makeup was bit overdone. Her face and color looked waxy. Her role, however, was beautifully played and had mature meaning.
This film could have been a real winner. Sadly, no one was supervising when the young dad smiled his way though every minute of every scene. The story around him was charming and very sweet. Better direction next time!