The Christmas Club

A woman's Christmas club money is swept away by a sudden gust of wind, and strangers Olivia (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Edward (Cameron Mathison) kindly help in her time of need. She is a ballet teacher and widowed mom, and he is a business consultant who travels a lot, but the 'magic' of Christmas then ensures they continue to meet. Great chemistry amid the usual story curveballs ensures it enjoyable enough to perhaps revisit every other year.

I'll watch anything Cameron Mathison is in. He's just so real and fun, no matter what role or position he plays. Love him, also, on Home & Family. Elizabeth Mitchell was very natural and their friendship was fun to watch develop.

Writing is smart and witty. Characters are perfectly matched with just the right touch of playfulness and intrigue. The supporting roles were equally interesting. Well done!

Cameron Mathison is adorable in this. The Uncle I aspire to be, the business mind I'd like to have and the gorgeous, loving and kind man I'd like to share my life with. The female lead is a bit precious and "sweet" in a sickly kind of way, but she's not that bad. Certainly she wouldn't make me turn it off, because I actually really enjoyed this film. After turning off 4 films yesterday, because they were all terrible, it was nice to get back on track with this one. It's full of Christmassy activities, morals and spirit and the romance is cute. I think her reaction towards the end is a bit OTT, but they have to do something to cause some drama don't they. It's a festive film that we could all watch and feel something for, but we definitely need to start seeing Cameron topless, at least, in one of these soon.

Elizabeth Mitchell does not act like a natural mother with her 'daughter', and the shy stuttering with Cameron Mathison soon after the film started was annoying, and I was ready to switch off. I wish the Hallmark set dressers would NOT use white sheets to give the impression that snow is melting on the pavement (sidewalk ?) , - these films may have been made in a September heatwave but white fabric ???? that the actors almost trip over ? no. In this film there was no snow to be seen beyond the fence of the Christmas market/festival, the roads were clear and cars were moving fast, yet the kids were making snowmen with fake snow. Sorry, its a miss from me.

Of course Hallmark have its standard list of go-to performers for its films, and they're great, but it is equally nice to see someone new pop up in one of them. Enter Elizabeth Mitchell ('Santa Clause 2-3) here, and what a joy she is, allowing this to be a different sort of Hallmark film. Ably supported by Hallmark regular Cameron Mathison (allowed to do more than just be an 'action man', as he normally seems to be cast as) this was lovely, with more depth than a standard one of these films. One of the best festive films I saw in 2020.

Cameron Mathison is always worth watching and is a likeable and charming actor in a subtle way, though he can be well above what he is given. Also like Elizabeth Mitchell, she was great in 'Lost' and was absolutely wonderful in the 'Law and Order: Special Victim Unit' episode "Totem". Also liked the concept. Did worry that 'The Christmas Club' would be too formulaic, as a vast majority of them are very more of the same. Also Hallmark's 2019 output has been very up and down, mostly in the in between and down categories. 'The Christmas Club' is one of the bigger hits of Hallmark's 2019 output. A Christmas classic it may not be, but by 2019 Hallmark standards and compared to a lot of Christmas films (Hallmark, Lifetime and elsewhere) it's refreshing. It is also a great representation of both Mathison and Mitchell, more so the former. If anybody was generally underwhelmed by 2019's Hallmark output and has not yet seen this, it will be a relief for them to see a film from this group that is good. Did feel that the final third was on the contrived side and lost the spark and lustre that the rest of the film had. Most Hallmark films end predictably and patly and 'The Christmas Club' is no exception. However, there is a lot that is great. The production values still manage to be pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. The music is pleasantly nostalgic and is not over-used or constant, the latter of which is the case with a lot of Hallmark Christmas films. The direction is accommodating without going too far in that it becomes pedestrian instead. Furthermore, the script quality is better than most 2019 Hallmark Christmas films, where a vast majority were either all the way through cheesy and stilted or a case of starting off very ropey and then got better. The script here is playful and heart-warming and the flow isn't awkward. The story is light-hearted and really warms the heart without going into over-saccharine territory. Characters were easy to get behind and carry the film well, one of the few 2019 Hallmark Christmas films where both lead characters were worth caring for. The support acting is solid, nobody exceptional but there isn't a weak link. The kids are not on the wrong side of cutesy and aren't annoying. Mathison is his usual charming and amiable self and while she is for my tastes a little neurotic at times in the final act Mitchell gives a deeply felt performance. They look lovely together and their chemistry is both playful and sweet. In summary, very much worth watching. 8/10.

I prefer action movies but this family movie was a pure delight. Not to cornet or mushy. The characters had so much onscreen chemistry that it reminded me of a time that I had forgotten. I will add this to my watch again and again list!