There sure are a lot of mean reviews for this movie. Sounds like some are trying to knock the ubiquitous Candace off of her Hallmark throne. I am not a huge Candace fan, but she’s harmless* and she has never looked lovelier than in this tribute to The Wizard of Oz. I thought it was very cleverly done with the names, the characters, and the situations. There wasn’t much of a plot, but at least it wasn’t a stale rehash of the same old Hallmark set-pieces. I watched it to the end with no fast-forwarding, and that’s worth at least a 6 or a 7. I’m not sure why she got so mad at “Glen Goodman” (Glenda the Good Witch, Ha Ha) at the end, but that’s just standard Hallmark procedure to provide some tension and to set up the happy ending.
I had never even heard of this wonderful Christmas movie of over 20 years ago. It was heads and tails above the current crop: Well written, acted, and produced. Ally Walker is great as the sour neurotic heroine who is so toxic that her brother tells her that he does not want her to be around his children. At her lowest point, thrown out of her family and about to lose her career because of her unpopularity, pessimism, and lack of contribution, her inner child comes to rescue her from herself. Literally. Hayden Panettiere gives a bravura performance as her 9 year-old self. She bullies and advises, encourages, and befriends our Scroogey woman until, at last, her life is turned around and she breaks free from the influence of her former marriage to a controlling critical jerk, that largely caused our heroine’s descent into misery.
The romance was wonderful. As his editor, Susan falls for a first time author who is nice, smart, and quirky. Just the kind of man that she would have chewed up and spit out if he hadn’t been a true talent and brilliant writer. She needs him to save her career. Perfectly played by Tom Amandes, he brings a real Gary Cooper in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town feel to the part.
There were a few little things I wish had been better. The ending felt rushed. Young Susie just disappeared without comment when she had finally accomplished her mission. I would have loved a farewell scene. Also, I wish there had been more of a reunion scene with her brother and his family. That said, I loved the “15 months later” epilogue. I just did not want it to end, I guess. If you like what I like, seek this movie out this Christmas season. It’s free on IMDb TV if you have Prime.
Excellent ghost story. Not scary, but the family drama and suspense are the focus here, not jump scares. Many involving mysteries, slowly revealed, and a good side story involving Maisie Williams as the oldest daughter. Great job in developing the youngest daughter, who is the shining light of truth and insight in a suffering and confused family. I really liked that though there were some conflicts between the husband and wife, it did not split them apart. Although it is revealed that the son is in fact dead (and how could it be otherwise?) the family remains in tact and the ghosts are set free, so it was ultimately a hopeful happy ending for a horror story. Especially as we learn the fate of the main orphan, Stephan. I wish we had had more details about him. Also we know that Cam was kidnapped from the beginning, so there was a loose end there, as the family never learns how he came to drown, and neither does the audience.
I honestly do not remember a movie where the acting was so bad I actually could not finish it. Even the worst Hallmark movies at least have adequate, if not engaging, actors. The casting of Oliver, the hero, was terrible. He is supposed to be handsome and charming. He is not. I will say no more about his looks. His horrible disfigurement is not so much at all and could be easily corrected. The female lead was cast pretty well, but her acting also left a lot to be desired. I feel a little bad that I am reviewing this without seeing every minute, but when the acting is bad, the whole movie is tainted, no matter how good everything else was. (Though it wasn’t) My time is too precious. I was just so disappointed. I love remakes, and the original version with Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire is poignant, thought-provoking and sweet. It’s a minor and little-known classic that deserved a remake (and still deserves one). This was a desecration. **1 star out of 10**
