This film is not your traditional low budget Christmas film, as it benefits from being based on a very true story.
There is no high powered lawyer clad in a pencil skirt reluctantly returning to her small home town to help save her grandfather's gingerbread shop. There is no city-based marketing executive (again, almost certainly wearing a pencil skirt) being forced to return to her small home town to stop some evil corporation from bulldozing her family's Cnrisrmas Tree farm whilst simultaneously falling in love with one of the evil corporation's executives.
Instead what there is is a couple of characters who manage to be thoroughly likeable without ever being cloying or twee, supported by a small ensemble of minor characters who tread that particular fine line equally well.
The film lacks the cliché jeopardy inherent in 99% of Christmas movies. There are no arguments between the love interests brought about by a misunderstanding. There is no real degree of "will they, won't they" either, as the two main characters (Heather and Chris) are so well suited to one another that the outcome is never in doubt.
The story tells of a liver donor recipient who ends up falling in live with, and eventually marrying, the man who provided the donation. As I say, this is based on a true story and it is as heartwarming a tale as you could ever want at Christmas.
It could be argued, because the film lacks the things I have listed above, that not a lot happens, and on essence that is correct. The film uses the "one week later" and "one year later" technique to effectively remove the need for what would essentially be drama free filler. I would say the film benefits from this.
Yes, not much happens (even the liver transplant goes ahead without the slightest hint of jeopardy) but the characters are so thoroughly likeable that you fond yourself not minding.
This film is definitely one I will want to watch next Christmas. A true feel good tale which I recommend.
There is no high powered lawyer clad in a pencil skirt reluctantly returning to her small home town to help save her grandfather's gingerbread shop. There is no city-based marketing executive (again, almost certainly wearing a pencil skirt) being forced to return to her small home town to stop some evil corporation from bulldozing her family's Cnrisrmas Tree farm whilst simultaneously falling in love with one of the evil corporation's executives.
Instead what there is is a couple of characters who manage to be thoroughly likeable without ever being cloying or twee, supported by a small ensemble of minor characters who tread that particular fine line equally well.
The film lacks the cliché jeopardy inherent in 99% of Christmas movies. There are no arguments between the love interests brought about by a misunderstanding. There is no real degree of "will they, won't they" either, as the two main characters (Heather and Chris) are so well suited to one another that the outcome is never in doubt.
The story tells of a liver donor recipient who ends up falling in live with, and eventually marrying, the man who provided the donation. As I say, this is based on a true story and it is as heartwarming a tale as you could ever want at Christmas.
It could be argued, because the film lacks the things I have listed above, that not a lot happens, and on essence that is correct. The film uses the "one week later" and "one year later" technique to effectively remove the need for what would essentially be drama free filler. I would say the film benefits from this.
Yes, not much happens (even the liver transplant goes ahead without the slightest hint of jeopardy) but the characters are so thoroughly likeable that you fond yourself not minding.
This film is definitely one I will want to watch next Christmas. A true feel good tale which I recommend.