The premise of Hallmark's The Christmas Card is so touching and intriguing, but the actual movie is quite a letdown. Through her church, a woman writes a letter to a random soldier in Afghanistan, and when he returns stateside, he looks her up to thank her for keeping him afloat. Set during Christmas, what could go wrong?

I've never seen a movie with equally low-energy leading actors. Both Alice Evans and John Newton seemed as though they'd rather be doing anything else than acting in this Hallmark movie. Alice acted like she couldn't stand her costars, and John seemed like he was making the movie because he lost a bet with a friend. I know this sounds harsh, but trust me. Ed Asner had more sparks flying with his wife Lois Nettleton than the younger folks did, and far more energy, too!

In addition to the lack of chemistry, energy, and desire to propel the story forward, there was a highlighted part of the plot that really bothered me. Peter Jason plays Uncle Richard. His character is responsible for his sister meeting the love of her life, he's devoted to his niece, has worked at the lumber mill ever since he was eighteen, and brings an armload of Christmas presents to his sister's house in the morning. How is he treated? He's constantly insulted, teased, ignored, and disrespected. He's never consulted for work decisions; and the family doesn't thank him for his gifts or even open them, but instead rush out of the house for an unrelated activity. How is this promoting Christmas cheer or goodwill towards man?

Thankfully, Hallmark produces several military Christmas flicks every year, so there are plenty more to choose from if you don't like The Christmas Card. Try Operation Christmas, Holiday for Heroes, or A Veteran's Christmas.

Most people with family connections to the military may find "A Christmas Card" especially enjoyable. I'm a veteran and come from a family of several vets. Others may like it too. It is a nice Christmas romance connected to modern times of military service. I especially enjoy the scenery of the towns and parts of country chosen for this and other Christmas holiday films. But, some aspects of this film have me, and perhaps other viewers who aren't otherwise love-struck, downgrading it overall. A couple of other reviewers noted this as well and have good analyses of the plot and performances.

This TV movie for the Hallmark channel has a wonderful story idea. The acting jobs by Ed Asner (Luke),Alice Evans (Faith),Lois Nettleton (Rosie) and Peter Jason (Richard) are excellent. But, the performances of the two young male leads, John Newton (Sgt. Cody Cullen) and Ben Weber (Paul) were stiff and tepid. Both actors seemed wooden in their performances. Paul even acted hesitantly at times – in a way that makes one think the actor forgot his lines.

I will grant that Cody was a quiet person, not someone who would be very outgoing. But, given the exuberance of the entire Spelman clan (Luke, Faith, Rosie and Richard),Cody seemed very wooden and out of place. Both of the young male actors seemed devoid of even the basic energy that all people have most of the time, regardless of their ilk. They seemed lifeless. This viewer thought that the other characters – especially Luke and Richard, overly prompted Luke to get a little life into him, as though they were coaching him to put a little more energy into his life (and role).

Seldom do I linger this long on one or two character performances. But here they were so much in contrast that it was a real detraction from the story. The director had to share some of that responsibility, by not getting those two actors to put more into their roles. And the script and direction account for the choppiness at times, and weak connections in some scenes.

As I said, this movie had so much going for it in the idea, the setting and some very good performances. These other shortcomings rob it of at least a couple of stars in my book. And, that means it isn't a film I will keep in my library for viewing at future Christmases and holiday periods.

If you are familiar with other Hallmark holiday romances, this one is different than most. Neither of the main characters has a bubbly, festive personality. This might be considered a more serious film. And there is a reason for that.

The main character is Cody Cullen (John Newton),an American soldier stationed in Afghanistan. Through a community outreach program, he receives a letter from a small town named Nevada City. When he is sent stateside to deliver the dog tags of a fallen soldier to the widow, he decides to travel to Nevada City.

Through a series of coincidences, he connects with a family that runs a lumber mill. The daughter is Faith (Alice Evans). She might be interested in him if she didn't already have a steady boyfriend.

One of the best aspects of this film is Ed Asner, who plays Faith's father with positivity and mirth.

The film hits all the right emotional buttons for many who watch the Hallmark offerings, with scenes that reinforce the values of hard work, patriotism, prayer, small-towns, the family dinner table, and nature's beauty.

An emotional pay-off comes at the end of the film, but the ending is too abrupt, as many other reviewers have written.