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2017
Directed by Allan Harmon
Synopsis
Just before Christmas, bestselling author Rachel Kennedy returns to her hometown to host an event for her upcoming book. Though being home is difficult since losing her parents and losing touch with her brother, David, she finds strength from unexpected sources, namely her local producer, Jack and a selfless stranger, Joy. Jack and Joy help Rachel connect with the community, reunite with her brother and reevaluate her motivational message. Rachel and Jack develop an undeniable bond, but Rachel is torn between their relationship and career pressure from her manager, Stuart. As the event approaches, Joy reveals a secret from her past that has a lasting impact on Jack, and Rachel must find a message that brings her fans — and herself – lasting joy.
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- Cast
- Crew
- Details
- Genres
- Releases
Cast
Natalie Knepp Michael Rady Bonnie Bedelia Steve Bacic Marc Senior Chiara Guzzo David James Lewis Jillian Walchuck Jordan Ninko Bobby Stewart Jaime Maclean Françoise Robertson Connor O'Mahony Mischa Karwat Grace Chin
DirectorDirector
Allan Harmon
ProducerProducer
John Prince
WritersWriters
Heather Provost Scott Damian
Executive ProducersExec. Producers
Kim Arnott Ivan Hayden
Studios
Two 4 The Money Media Hallmark Media
Country
Language
English
Alternative Titles
Une coach pour Noël, Den sande juleånd, Семейна Коледа, 一个欢乐的圣诞, El secreto de Joy, Um Alegre Natal, Un felice Natale, Wesołych świąt
Genres
Romance TV Movie Drama
Releases by Date
- Date
- Country
TV
26 Nov 2017
USA
07 Dec 2018
- France
Releases by Country
- Date
- Country
France
07 Dec 2018
- TVTF1
USA
26 Nov 2017
- TVHallmark Movies &Mysteries
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Review by luke ★ 1
I can't
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Review by thefriscobay ★★★★
here is the thing. for hallmark films the bar is very different. these two leads could act and they had chemistry so my rating will reflect these very weak standards. also? the writer liked my tweet about this movie on twitter. hello heather.
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Review by Sarah Collins ★★★★½
Might just be in my top five Hallmark Christmas movies. I really loved the chemistry between the two leads and I kept waiting for them to kiss, that's how good the chemistry was. I loved the story and it was sweet!
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Review by Michelle 🎄📚 MichelleBookAddict ★★½
Christmas in July movie with a Hallmark movie starring Die Hard John McClane’s wife! Best part is when she says that she’s been devoted her life to helping others.
As for the story, it gets 2.5🎄 and some cheese puffs 🧀
It’s got that typical “oh you’re that person?!” big city gal with no Christmas decorations, always thinking of herself and working too much that she can’t visit her only living family for 3 years. And then a whole 180 after being “saved.” Oh and let’s throw in a sad story of reuniting a mother who gave her son up for adoption. And that isn’t a spoiler because this is such a Hallmark predictable flick.But still, the romance is cute and maybe worth a rewatch. Maybe.
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Review by Grant McLanaghan
A live events producer – who was given up for adoption at a young age – hooks up with a self-help guru who, ironically enough, has forgotten how to help people. Producer Guy is given the remit to improve Motivational Lady’s next big presentation, which will be held in her hometown. There, they meet Joy, a reserved, kind lady who may or may not have a shady background. Joy helps our heroine with the upcoming event – but is it possible that she holds the key to the main man’s shrouded-in-mystery childhood? I think we all know the answer to that.
It’s always nice to see Bonnie Bedelia in anything. Here, she plays Joy and is pretty good value, despite working within the strictures imposed by the Hallmark TV movie format, which rarely, if ever, allows for any kind of character depth.
⭐⭐ Christmas TV movie stars out of ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.
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Review by theodora22 ½
There are really no words to describe how bad this movie was. Hallmark needs to be stopped, they can not keep getting away with this.
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Review by Bethany McBride ½
so bad i fell asleep
also, joy does not evoke feelings of joy
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Review by Linnea
It feels weird to see Michael Rady not being a single father.
Oh also hallmark - don’t you dare make me cry! That’s not allowed!
Once you get past the bad lip syncing it’s GREAT! 😂
Notable Quotes::“It took a little joy and a Jack of all trades to make this happen.”
*NEW* Hallmark Rating System::
Christmassy: (+1 point)
(X) Baking scene
( ) Ice skating
( ) Build a snowman
( ) Snow ball fight
( ) A character dresses up as Santa
( ) They visit a Christmas tree farm (+1 if someone disses a fake tree / +1 if a main character owns a Christmas tree farm)
(X) Decorate a Christmas tree
(X) Tree lighting
(… -
Review by Ted Ryan ★
An entitled and moody author falls for an awkward workaholic TV producer. No chemistry, clunky writing and a bland plot. In short, this Christmas movie didn’t make me feel very joyous.
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Review by kathryn ★½
hallmark would be so much better if they let their main characters have a good ol f*ck
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Review by ExistentialJeny ★★½
First cheeseball bad Christmas movie of the year. Not a bad start. It's a bit more intelligent than most,... still formula though, as I feel like I've definitely seen this exact plot before, yet don't think I've actually seen this movie. Lol! 🤦♀️
Lots of different "life lessons" in this one, so it's sort of a souped up Hallmark for getting this year's season started.
The thing I might like most about this one is the lead actor. He's darn cute, great energy and has good chemistry with the lead female. -
Review by alaina ★★
I literally predicated this movie. It was so obvious that the one character who was adopted and the one lady who gave her child up for adoption would be connected lol.
whenever i watch a hallmark movie i always want it to be super camp like if Joy was actually Mrs Claus and Jack was Jack Frost. Like i want it to be so bad and over the top, that it’s good and you can make fun of it.
Also pls don't sing .. it’s so cringe🤢 something about the male lead in this was a little funky to me. He just seemed off lol. Why did he feel the need to whip out his guitar and sing so much..…
