Silver Bells

Silver Bells

Silver Bells

7.4 stars. When I see a character like the father of a boy who simply wants to follow his dreams, and daddy has him under his thumb, wants him to walk in his footsteps, take over the family tree business etc...I get fired up, because this is an old school ignoramus mindset and there's no place for it in the 21st century, or even the 20th century. This sort of mindset should have ended at the turn of the century when anyone could follow a dream with no worries about safety, health, survival, etc. This is the story of a boy who wants to be a photographer, his dad won't let him, his younger sister is sympathetic, but what can she do? A woman in NYC who comes into contact with the family sees his potential and encourages him to follow his dreams, but father gets in the way. The rest of the film is about this rift and the son's talents and the fathers stubbornness and a woman's tenacity. Not a bad movie, but not good enough to round up to 8 either.

My Christmas film viewings over-time have been a very mixed bag. With some surprisingly good hits, where regardless of how predictable they are succeed in being full of charm, warmth and heart so succeeding in being light-hearted and undemanding fun. But also some quite big misses, where the characters are not likeable, everything is forced and shallow with implausibility too in some of the worst cases, the acting and writing being weak and basically with just nothing to them. Despite being a long way from perfect or being a complete hit, 'Silver Bells' is thankfully closer to the former category if not quite. Certainly not a film to humbug on. As far as the Christmas films seen overtime go, 'Silver Bells' is somewhere around high middle, which is not too bad a position to be in actually. Especially considering how much of a mixed bag some recently seen Christmas film viewings have been. Expectations were mixed, but the execution was better than expected. 'Silver Bells' isn't perfect. Maybe it does take a while to get going and the messaging could have been more subtle, if the truth had been revealed a little earlier than it was that may have made a difference. There also could have been more development to Christy, who is too much of a jerk, and also didn't like how long it took for Catherine to come out with the truth or how obnoxious the son sometimes is. However, a lot is good. It pleases visually, lovely festive locations attractively and never drably or garishly shot. The music isn't as intrusive as it tends to be with Hallmark while the direction gets the job done well. The script doesn't get too cheesy or sentimental and does have a more natural flow when it becomes more settled. The story is not too heavy while taking itself seriously and is both warm-hearted and has a light touch when necessary. On the whole as well it isn't too predictable, there are elements that are different than the usual Hallmark Christmas film and they are elements that feature a lot but not rammed down the throat. Did find later on that the characters were generally worth caring about. Anne Heche and Tate Donovan both give honest committed performances, particularly Heche. In conclusion, decent if not great. 6/10.

This is by far my favorite Christmas movie. Excellent small town feel with a great cast. The basketball scenes are my favorite. You can really tell that everyone involved gave it their all. Sometimes in movies, they don't cast actors who actually play the sport. But I really don't think that's the case with this one. I watch this every year because it brings me back to my high school basketball years. I hope it goes on streaming services soon so it's easier to watch. I don't mind plugging in my our DVD player to watch it, but I think a lot of audiences would benefit from watching movie with such a great message.

I love "Silver Bells" and I own the DVD, because I am a fan of Anne Heche. I've always thought she was a great actress, and so sad that she is now deceased. Anne was beautiful in appearance with a stunning carriage in this movie. I had never seen Tate Donovan and felt he did a good job playing the controlling father. He did ease up after a scary incident involving his son. The son was ambitious, the dad controlling and the daughter was trying to keep peace. The scenery in the beginning is beautiful. Over-all I was happy with the outcome of the movie. I can watch it over and over again because it has a great holiday feel to it.

"Silver Bells" is a superb Christmas film that has many variations from the common formulaic holiday romance movies. Those who particularly like that sort of film may not enjoy this film as much - unless they happen also to appreciate films that go a bit deeper with family and marriage. One very different aspect of this plot is that the two people who eventually come together - or really, literally "find" another person, have both lost their spouses to death three and four years earlier. Their love, or romance is a slow "discovery" of one another that happens in the context of the main plot of the film. That is the separation of a father and his son, the son running away as a young teenager, and the dad searching for him for a year. Yes, there are divorces and single moms or dads with children. And, yes there are young women who are dating or engaged to men who may not be "Mr. Right," where the right guy comes along. But those aspects have plots that have been used so often that they are hardly interesting plots for stories anymore. "Silver Bells" also goes further in other directions. There are more aspects- differences in interests of the dad and son, a young daughter and sibling of the son; the family's annual month-long trip from their tree farm home in Nova Scotia to New York City and a regular place where they set up to sell their Christmas trees and board with a woman who is a friend. And, much more to the meat of this story and film. The young son's interest in photography and the subsequent artistic views the audience get - seeing nature and architecture through the eyes of an artist. The dad's friendship with a local police officer who has helped look for his son; and a budding other romance - the policeman and a young woman friend of the female lead. There's no doubt that patience is required because this film is much more slowly developed, but as such it is more down to earth and gives a real feel for the story and the lives of the people. It's not a quick run around and holidays romance. The film is based on a 2004 novel of the same title by Luanne Rice. All of the cast are very good in their roles. Three whose performances stand out are Anne Heche as Catherine O'Mara, Michael Mitchell as Danny Byrne, and Courtney Jines as Bridget Byrne. Some aspects of the production are familiar - so many of these films that air on the Hallmark TV channel are made in Canada. One can understand when part of the plot or story is imparting the traditional aspects of a white Christmas, and the beauty of the countryside, forests, and hills raped in snow. But this one was made in the U. S., so the Christmas tree harvesting might have been filmed in any of several states where such farms exist - from New England to the West Coast. This one has both the pastoral scenery and some fairly nice scenic shots of the Big Apple. And, one other aspect that is shown more in this than in most films, is signs of Christian faith. Some films will have scenes or dialog about children in a school play of the Christmas story, or a Christmas pageant that includes religion. But this one shows churches and some of the cast going to church. In that sense, also, it is more realistic - in showing true customs and practices of the vast majority of the population of the time. This is a very good film for the Christmas holidays about family, love, healing from the loss of loved ones, and finding new love. It's a good story of hope and about second chances in life and how healing is hastened with care about and for others. My favorite line in the film is when Christy Byrne (played by Tate Donovan) meets Sylvester Rheinback (played by John Cunningham). Christy, "Oh, you're Catherine's boss." Sylvester, "Well, I try not to boss her around too much."

I like the film's presentation. And it was good that it incorporated Christmas elements, like the choir singing Away in a Manger. I didn't know until the credits that the little girl named Rose is played by a young Victoria Justice! I do have complaints about the characters. The father hasn't joined the 21st century and realized that his son should be free to pursue a career of his own choice. The son decides to stay in New York before even graduating high school. He asks both Catherine and his sister to keep secrets from his father. And he sneaks around like a coward, instead of just manning up and seeking reconciliation. Moreover, Christy is too much of a jerk to Catherine for me to accept her taking him back in the end. He doesn't even apologize.

I have been watching this movie every year for about 4 years now. The first year every day tell Christmas from December 1. Great story line and actor/s.

I've watched this movie every year since it came out. At first throughly enjoyed. But as time goes by and you start to analyze it more, the son comes across as a spoiled kid. All about him at the end. Even when the father tries to make amends. Only when he fully gets his way, he becomes supportive. Now it bothers me when I watch it so don't really watch anymore.