Finding Father Christmas

source: Finding Father Christmas

"Finding Father Christmas" might be seen as a play on words, and whether or not it was so intended, it's surely appropriate and right on target with the story. The plot and everything else about this film are superb. It's always a joy to find one of the many year-end holiday films that is exceptional. While the story should appeal to most, it will have special meaning for people who have not known one of their parents, or who their father (or mother) were. Besides the Christmas setting, and the drama, this film has a nice element of mystery and some very good bits of light comedy just in the right places. And, as some Christmas films end, this one too has love. Not romance, but love. The story itself makes this a different enough Christmas season film to rate keeping in one's film library. But then, the cast, especially the leads, are truly outstanding. Erin Krakow as Miranda Chester and Niall Matter as Ian McAndrick are superb in their roles. Her reticence and hesitation in places are very believable and real. And Ian's down to earth, listening and perfect responses are the work of excellent screen writing and performance. He is so at ease in the role that it's easy to put oneself in the scenes and story and not even think there is acting tacking place. Then, the chemistry between the two is perfect. All of the rest of the cast also give superb performances. Wendie Malick as Margaret Whitcomb, Jim Thorburn as Peter and Aliya O'Brien as Ellie are affable, so naturally at ease and believable. And, Ian's parents, Lynn Johnson and Michael Kopsa as Katherine and Andrew McAndrick make a viewer feel comfortable and invited into their inn. This is a delightful film I will enjoy watching over Christmas seasons to follow, and to share with others. Here are some favorite lines from the film. Miranda Chester, expressing surprise to Ian, "Get out of town!" Ian McAndrick, "Well, I will say that what we lack in talent we make up for with form." Miranda, "I don't think I'm gonna find the answers I'm looking for." Ian, "I'm not sure what brought you here, Miranda. But I'm glad it did. And, while you are here, you might as well enjoy it. After all, it is Christmas. All those questions you have - they'll still be waiting for you." Santa Claus, passing by in a horse-drawn wagon, "Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, Miranda." Miranda, after he passes, "How did you know my name?" Miranda, "I don't belong here, Ian - not the way you do." Ian, "It's a tricky thing - belonging." Miranda, "Tricky? What does that mean?" Ian, "Well, take me, for example. After I finished law school, I had job offers coming in from all over - New York, Los Angeles, you name it. Some of them were pretty good, too." Miranda, "I'm sure they were." Ian, "When I told them I was happy here, they assumed it was because this is where I grew up. Because it was so comfortable." Margaret Whitcomb, "I'm afraid we may never be able to solve the mystery." Miranda, "Well, some mysteries are better left unsolved." Margaret, "Perhaps you're right."

Finding Father Christmas (2016) (1) - I wish Niall Matter would take a bite of my cookie. Whew! He is the perfect man for me. Handsome and with a lovely smile that shows how gorgeous he must be inside too. I liked the fact that he wasn't prettified to within an inch of his life, because his rugged handsomeness didn't need it and was the reason I liked him, which may have also been the reason I enjoyed the film, because where these "Made For TV" films are concerned, if the lead guy isn't hot, I generally won't even bother with it. That is because they can be very cheesey and twee sometimes as well as badly acted, too saccharine or just too full of the same thing, but I have found that the better looking the guy, the better the film usually was and if nothing else, there was someone nice to look at throughout it. I do actually like this film and I have seen it a few times now, which isn't always the case with because they can be too much sometimes, but this had a slightly different story and a good cast. The script was a bit wet at times and the main character, Miranda, was drippy too. And the kids were vile in a sickly sweet way, but Niall, as Ian, holds it all together and there's just enough Christmas for it to be charming for a cold winters day. 7/10.

Expertly cast, mostly because Erin is just amazing. Two amazing actors... very well acted, and an amazing story. This is definitely worth watching.

Having watched several Hallmark movies, this film seems to be less forced than most. The pacing is good, and the script is fair, if somewhat predictable. The actors work together well. However, this film is not great; for me it was more workable as a love story with some mystery. The Christmas theme seemed like window dressing.

This is definitely one of the better quality Hallmark Christmas movies. I almost always like Niall Latter and he excels in this. Erin krakow is hit or miss for me, sometimes she is totally overacting, this is one of her better roles, she is more restrained than normal. Some continuity things that irked me, but the production is food. The town is cute as always. I really enjoyed it and would watch it again.

It is not real comfortable , for me, to say that about a >H>allmark Christmas film. because all films from this serie are, at the first sigh, the same. but this film is special. I can explain why. for the plot, remembering a labyrinth or the improvisation. for the performances - Wendie Malick and Erin Krakow as lead examples. and , sure, for the small change of sentimental side. off course, many familiar parts. and the impression about storz to have the mark of improvisation. but the film works and seems more profound than others about pink Hallmark Christmas universe. and that is, for me, the most significant detail.

That hayseed niall can't decide whether his shirt should be tucked in or left hanging out and he's never clean shaven.. the last christmas movie i saw him in he was an injury retired pro hockey player and in this one he is a lawyer yet he still dresses in the same duds from the other film .. his main occupation is handyman, yeah right ..erin krakow does a good job as a detective looking for father she never knew ... if you can get past the smarm, its watchable.

The concept did sound interesting, not innovative but it didn't sound like too standard Hallmark. Am not one of those people, have said this more than once, that hates on anything from Hallmark (actually have liked a good deal of their festive efforts surprisingly, though they have done a lot of misfires) and tries to not judge them too seriously. Erin Krakow and Niall Matter have been somewhat hit and miss for me in their other work, an opinion that probably not everybody will share. 'Finding Father Christmas' contains some of the best work of both Krakow and Matter, will come onto that later. It is also not only one of Hallmark's best 2016 festive efforts (in a not particularly amazing year for them), but also towards being one of my favourites of theirs overall. While not quite a classic, 'Finding Father Christmas' surprisingly really impressed me. Was hoping that it would be at least average, but was not expecting it to be this good and proof that Hallmark do have good work in them. Sometimes the script could have been tighter, parts are a little too heavy on the talk. Also found the ending slightly rushed. However, Krakow and Matter excel hugely in the lead roles. Krakow is a lot more restrained than she was in 'Sense, Sensibility and Snowmen', here she is quite understated but she never phones in and her performance is charming and heartfelt. Matter is a great sympathetic partner for her and gives a much better performance here than he did in 'Christmas at Dollywood', much more relaxed and looking a lot more engaged in the drama. The chemistry between them is natural and affecting, looking as though they did care for each other. Wendie Mallick is also terrific and is a breath of fresh air. The acting from all is well above average and the chemistry is always there and never looks disengaged or stiff, while the characters aren't complex they have enough to them to make them worth connecting with. The direction is sympathetic while never being dreary. Visually, 'Finding Father Christmas' is slick and attractive. Hallmark often did deliver on the scenery, the locations were seldom authentic to the real thing but they still looked great and lovingly shot, and 'Finding Father Christmas' is no exception. There is a tendency in Hallmark to have the music too prominent and intrusive, found neither to be the case (not distractingly so anyhow) here. The script flows well and is easy to take seriously without being overly so. Really appreciated its sincerity, something that's evident in the story. There is not much innovative here and the mystery element is not surprising as much, but it's always compelling and has a warm heart delivered with little signs of heaviness. Without going too heavy on the schmaltz. In conclusion, very well done. 8/10

This is well worth watching. James Welch Henderson Arkansas Henderson Arkansas 11/15/2020