This movie is different from the other holiday movies I've seen this year. A few minutes into the film I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue watching. I didn't see how I could like the ending, however I chose to see it through to the end. The movie leads you to believe one possible ending but surprises you with another one.
Lindy Booth brings real depth to her character, which is very likable. The other actors also did a good job of making the story believable. There are some problems with the film such as make-up, the hospital set, lip syncing and how Carrie jumped into her task so easily. Also the end of the film is a little rushed. You have to realize that this is an Hallmark Channel TV movie. It's a less expensive movie than major network TV movies and has maybe one or two recognizable stars. It's meant to be for all members of the family and give a warm fuzzy holiday feeling.
Christmas Magic
2011
Action / Adventure / Drama / Family / Fantasy / Romance
Plot summary
Carrie Blackford (Booth) lives for her successful career as an event planner in New York City, but her life changes in an instant after a nasty car accident in a snowstorm. Carrie suffers head trauma and regains consciousness in Central Park with an older man, Henry (Derek McGrath, "Little Mosque on the Prairie"). Henry is Carrie's spirit guide and is there to help her "pass over" to Heaven. But before Carrie can move on, she must fulfill one last task on Earth - a type of Angel Duty. Henry tells Carrie that she must help guide a widowed, young restaurant owner, Scott Walker, (McGillion) who has recently considered suicide because his beloved restaurant/catering business is utterly failing. Carrie befriends Scott and his 8-year-old daughter and immediately displays a knack for promoting the restaurant. But time isn't on Carrie's side on this mission. She has until midnight Christmas Eve to turn the eatery around. As friendship grows, romance blooms, and Carrie finds it a struggle to keep business and pleasure separate. Will the heat in Scott's kitchen be all about the food? Or is one Angel on a meteoric rise to earn her wings?
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This film is good
BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.
One of the rare Hallmark films that had more promise than most of them but then but it almost becomes cringe worthy when the lead male star breakouts into a song.
In this film in order to gain entry to heaven, a woman (Lindy Booth) must help a man (Paul McGillion) and his young daughter.
Carrie Bishop (Lindy Booth) is a successful event planner living in New York City. Her life changes when she is involved in a car accident and wakes up in Central Park, where she is met by an older man, Henry (Derek McGrath),a spirit guide who is there to instruct her how to get to Heaven. He explains to her that in order to move on, she must complete one task: help widower Scott Walker (Paul McGillion),the owner of a struggling restaurant.
In order to complete her mission, Carrie spends time at the restaurant and becomes friends with Scott's daughter Abby. Carrie puts her event-planning skills to good use and helps to promote the restaurant. But there is a catch: Carrie only has until midnight on Christmas Eve (in two weeks) to succeed in helping Scott turn the failing restaurant into a successful, thriving business. And there are rules, including that Carrie is forbidden to contact anyone from her previous life and that ultimately she cannot meddle in Scott's life (he must make his choices by free will, without her influence). These rules prove to be more & difficult to follow, especially when she begins falls for Scott.
The only magic is Lindy Booth
Another Christmas angel story. Actually this is a bit of an older one.
The plot is pretty predictable, although they throw us off just a bit by having Scott meet and suddenly seem to get romantically involved with Lynette, Carrie's biggest rival. This was very poorly done and didn't play at all. There is no way Scott would go on a date with another woman Christmas Eve. Perhaps the writers thought he was striking back at Carrie's rejection, but the way it played was totally false. But then they needed a way to tell Scott that Carrie was in the hospital.
Unfortunately Paul McGillion should not attempt to sing in public. And not just once but three times. The song could have been a very sweet climax to the movie, but fell flat because of the singing.
But lovely and energetic Lindy Booth made this a movie worth watching. Lindy does optimistic so well. She just lights up the screen. It was a little strange seeing her go from heartless business barracuda to sympathetic and sweet in the blink of an eye. But Lindy can be just plain sweet and it's hard to stop watching her in a role like this one.
The ending was awkwardly done, but still struck heartstrings.