Most people would say that a review of "A Gift Wrapped Christmas" could be summed up with one word. I can hear the men in the house saying words like cheesy, sappy, predictable, mush, but the women would say, adorable, sweet, loving, and romantic. While I doubt very many males would sit down and watch this movie, I do think women will enjoy it. It provides a nice escape for 87 minutes.
Before I watched this movie, I was not familiar with any of the actors, but I thought I would give it a chance. I was seeking a Christmas movie that didn't require me to be heavily invested. Because I was physically tired and emotional exhausted, I simply wanted a reprieve from reality for just a bit. That is exactly what I got with A Gift Wrapped Christmas!
A Gift Wrapped Christmas Movie Synopsis
A GIFT WRAPPED CHRISTMASCheck PriceGwen is a personal shopper that has a unique talent. She knows what style and colors would look best on her clients at first glance. Matching their personalities requires more individual interaction, but her vivacious personality endears her to them quickly.
When she is assigned as Charlie Baker's personal shopper, he is not particularly happy with her clothing choices for him. However, he learns to trust her opinions and gift selections for the people on his Christmas shopping list. Because Gwen researches the gift recipient, she is able to buy relevant gifts that are perfect for everyone. When Charlie reaps the benefits from the gifts she has sent to others in his name, he begins to reconsider his initial opinion of Gwen and her advice. In addition to Gwen's ability to delight Charlie's associates with gifts, she also seems to have a knack for making his 8 year old son happy.
Even though both Charlie and his son, Owen, enjoy having Gwen around, his girlfriend, Victoria, does not. As a matter of fact, Victoria has her own plans for a special Christmas gift she expects Charlie to give to her. She is happy to give Gwen a precise description of the engagement ring she should purchase for Charley to give to her. However, Gwen is not too happy to take her instructions from Victoria.
I'm sure you can imagine what happens next, but imagining is not as much fun as watching. I recommend you find a hour this holiday season to gift yourself with the time to watch this delightful Christmas movie. It will put a lovely smile back on your own face!
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With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it is befitting that we should review a movie entitled "Be My Valentine".
Of course, this is a sappy romantic movie with the perfect ending. After all, isn't a sweet love story exactly what we are all seeking for Valentines?
So, why not go ahead and tell you now, this is it!
William Baldwin might not be as well known his brother, Alec, but he is every bit as likeable. Perhaps, even more so. His role in this movie as a single father actually makes him very endearing. We see his playful side as well as his sensitive side. But, mostly we see a father who loves his son and is willing to help him in ways that might normally be considered a mother's job.
Oh, and one more important thing, the fact that it is a Hallmark channel movie ensures us that the movie is appropriate for any age to view.
Be My Valentine (2013) Hallmark Movie
Be My Valentine on DVD, Prime Video or Hallmark ChannelCheck PriceFirefighter, Dan Farrell (William Baldwin), believes all of the embers of love were completely doused for him when his wife died. But, fear not, he is good-natured and happy as a single father. His daily focus is on his son and his job. He is definitely not looking for romance when cupid smacks him upside his head. Kate Burlington (Natalie Brown) plans to spend Valentine's Day with old movies and comfort food. Still feeling the sting of a failed relationship, Kate isn't looking for anyone special. She is not even interested in having a date for Valentines. However, when a small fire breaks out in her flower shop, she comes face to face with someone very special indeed. The mutual interest is immediately ignited between Dan and Kate.
As they spend time together, they find they have a lot in common. Therefore, a friendship between them just seems natural. It isn't until Kate's ex shows up that this new relationship is challenged to the extreme. After all, Kate had wanted to marry Gavin and it was his lack of commitment that caused the breakup. Now, Gavin is back and wants to get married.
Ok, so the movie is probably "cheesy" and a bit predictable, but it is also still adorable. A sweet love story for Valentine's Day for sure!
"Be My Valentine" is available on DVD or Amazon Prime Video
Currently, "Be My Valentine" is available on Amazon with an Amazon Prime Membership.
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Imagine being live on the air with the person that annoys you most in life. Broadcasting your arguments for the world to hear, while also giving relationship advice to listeners. Well, that is exactly what happens to Sonia (Alison Sweeney) and Nick (Jonathan Scarfe) in the Hallmark movie, Love on the Air.
The only thing better than a sweet romantic movie, is one that also makes you smile. Better yet, one that makes you laugh. Yes, I found myself laughing a few times during this movie.
I found out for myself, that it is the perfect movie for an afternoon or evening indoors. After working in the yard for a few hours, I needed a break from the heat and a relaxing movie that wouldn't take a lot of mental investment to appreciate. And, that is exactly what I got with the Hallmark movie, Love on the Air.
Sonia's show is based on developing a relationship that allows a woman to follow her dreams and career. She encourages women to not base their lives on love relationships. Her theme phrase is "be an island". She believes "getting married doesn't mean giving up your identity. The question is not who's going to let you. The question is who's not going to stop you." In her personal life, Sonia has been in a long-term relationship with her fiance and they are planning their wedding. Her segmented view of a romantic relationship seems to be working for her and Scott.
Nick's show gives advice to men about how to not be taken advantage of by an overbearing woman. He gives dating advice like, not spending too much money on first dates, or not spending money on sending flowers. Instead, he suggests cheap dates and flowers picked from a garden, preferably not from your own garden. He states on the air that the word "girl-friend is a misnomer". In his personal life, Nick doesn't pursue long-term relationships. He appears to be content with being single. When Sonia is asked to cover for another female on WCV radio station, she is thrilled. Even though it is a nighttime show, it has a huge following. It just so happens that Dr. Lynne's show airs right after Nick's Man Cave show. During the Dr. Lynne show, Sonia's fiance dumps her (inadvertently) on the air. She has no idea that her fiance was influenced by Nick's Man Cave advice that was on shortly before her program began, but she handles it with as much grace as she can muster. Surprisingly, Sonia's rating soar as a result of that excruciating experience.
Nick and Sonia meet for the first time by accident at an afternoon movie matinee. Not realizing who the other one is, they strike up a conversation and seem to like each other just fine. Nick opts to sit behind Sonia during the movie and even shares his popcorn with her. After the movie, they get into their first spat over who is going to pay for coffee. Of course, Nick feels he must tell his audience all about it. He didn't realize Sonia was in the station, able to respond to his story, until she interrupted his broadcast. The fire between them as the argued shot their ratings through the ceiling and up to the sky. And that is when the station decided they needed to co-host a morning show!
Once they had forged a sort-of friendship, Nick decides to help Sonia get Scott back. Even more fun follows, which means you must see the show for yourself to find out what happens.
Currently, Love on the Air is available on Amazon with a subscription to the Hallmark Channel.
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The movie Navigating The Heart starring Jaclyn Smith and Tim Matheson was actually released in 2000. However, I only discovered it this week. I love it when I find two of my favorite actors in a old movie that I have never seen before. I know I am guaranteed a wonderful movie experience. I was certainly not disappointed with this one.
Navigating The Heart is a great romantic movie where two people from completely different backgrounds fall in love. What makes this movie even better is that it is based on a true story. The book entitled "Fishing with John" was written by Edith Iglauer, the main female character in the story. She tells the story of their love and sadly brief life together in this bestselling memoir. The movie only captures the story of how they met and fell in love. For the details of their subsequent life on the boat, you would need to read the book.
To be completely honest, if it were not based on a true story I would have a hard time believing a beautiful, sophisticated city woman would fall in love with a small town fisherman. Normally, we would have to suspend reality to embrace this story, but not with Edith Iglauer (Jaclyn Smith) and John Daly (Tim Matheson).
Navigating The Heart Synopsis
Edith Iglauer is a somewhat arrogant, although justifiably so, writer for Manhattan magazine, which has just been taken over by a new owner with very different ideas about how a magazine should run. Previously the "literary journalists" were allowed to choose their own article subjects. Now, they will be assigned.
This
decision to assign subjects and articles burns right to the core of
Edith's literary heart. She is not happy about the idea and doesn't
hesitate to express her opinion. She feels her 15 years of dedication, as well as her contribution to the popularity of Manhattan magazine, should be rewarded and praised. It is beneath her to be treated like an upstart that needs to be spoon-fed or assigned specific boring subjects to cover.
Her first assignment is to write a piece about the excessive price of salmon. Needless to say, Edith is outraged at the idea. After all, her expertise is in covering politics. Interestingly enough, when she investigates the industry for her assignment, she does find a huge political influence. But she doesn't know that will be the case as she reluctantly heads to British Columbia, Canada to get background for her article.
I had to laugh out loud when Edith arrived at the fishing pier dressed for the office, wearing toeless heels and pulling her luggage on wheels. It really is the perfect illustration of how out of place she was in a fishing town.
After learning that John Daly is the best source of information for her article, Edith asks a local female fisherman to take her out to John's boat. He is no happier to see her there than she was to have been assigned the article. However, after some persuasion, he allows her onto his boat and proceeds with the business of catching, cleaning and icing fish. Needless to say, Edith is sickened by what she sees and smells. Again,
I had to laugh when she quoted Mark Twain, "fishing is a jerk at one
end of the line waiting for a jerk at the other end".
Determined to write a story and not be beaten by this assignment, Edith ends up back on a John Daly's boat in spite of how much she really dislikes him. At constant odds with each other, while exchanging hateful barbs, Edith makes bad matters worse by accidentally starting a fire on the stove. Later that night, in the midst of a storm, they hit a log and the boat starts taking on water. Declaring "mayday" and requesting assistance, John does his best to seal of up holes, and then they wait. Ironically, it is during that time of waiting for help, possibly facing death, that they talk and a friendship is forged.
Edith does write her story, but her whole life is changed after visiting BC, Canada, where she finds so much more than just content for a story.
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At Home in Mitford is a sweet, romantic movie based on the novel by Jan Karon. I read the book several years ago and was quite delighted when I found that the Hallmark Channel had released the movie. I always trust Hallmark movies to be appropriate for family viewing. Since I knew the plot of the book, I anticipated an excellent movie. I was not disappointed! It was truly an enjoyable way to spend my Sunday afternoon.
Jan Karon's books are easy reads which may well explain why they are so popular and why she is on the New York Time's bestselling author list. At Home in Mitford is the first book in the Mitford series.
The Mitford book series is absolutely perfect for a Hallmark movie.
At Home in Mitford Movie & Book Plot
At Home In MitfordCheck PriceMitford is a fictional town set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It resembles hundreds of small towns in America where people live slower paced lives, plant backyard gardens and look out for each other.
Andie MacDowell plays the part of Cynthia Coppersmith, a burnt out, uninspired, recently divorced children's book author who returns to her childhood refuge in Mitford. Even though her uncle has died, he left his home to Cynthia and she desperately needs the solace of his safe-haven. With her book deadline approaching, Cynthia and her cat, Violet, take off for Mitford and hopefully renewed inspiration.
As the new woman in town, Cynthia immediately starts attracting attention from the bachelors, but she isn't looking for a relationship. When the realtor asks her to dinner, at first she declines his offer, but eventually reconsiders.
Father Tim is her next door neighbor who has recently adopted a big dog that can't be held by mere fences. Therefore, Father Tim and Barnabas also burst unexpectedly into Cynthia's life. Father Tim, an Episcopal priest and Cynthia quickly become friends in spite of her original anger over being disturbed and having a portion of her fence knocked down.
I'm not going to tell you which bachelor Cynthia selects. To find that out, you will have to watch the movie. But, what I will tell you is that At Home in Mitford is a delightful movie (and book) about a woman who finally finds where she truly belongs.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Love by Design starring Giulia Nahmany, David Oakes and Jane Seymour, is a wonderful romantic comedy that leaves us feeling hopeful and happy when the underdog succeeds in business, plus finds real love. Since we have all experienced injustice to some degree, we enjoy movies where the maltreated prospers. Love by Design is the perfect romantic movie for a much needed break from intense reality and drama. Plus, the less glamorous yet highly creative, hardworking, kindhearted girl finds love and success in a highly competitive world of fashion. As a Jane Seymour fan, I was instantly drawn to the movie while searching for a romantic movie I have never seen before. Even though Seymour does not have the leading role, she does play a very important part in the movie. She is the fashion magazine editor that frowns on Danielle's appearance and ultimately fires her. As always, Seymour is a joy to watch even when she is playing the part of a snobbish, egotistical and ruthless fashion magazine editor-in-chief.
Synopsis of Love By Design
Love By Design Own on DVDWhen Danielle doesn't fit the image of a Beguile magazine designer, Vivian (Jane Seymour) replaces her with a "more appealing" spokesperson. Danielle is rightfully distressed when she sees that this "better choice" is not presenting her own presentation to the clients, but the one Danielle, herself, designed and wrote. Danielle erupts in anger and is fired from her high prestige fashion job in New York City. She needs to get far away and decides to return to her home in Romania.
By returning to her childhood home, she also returns to her love for sewing and designing clothes that fit the real women around her. She loves making clothes that truly flatter the individual wearing them and those women love her designs.
While finding herself again, she also finds true love when she meets Adrian (David Oakes). The relationship is not without stress, but it is easy to be confident that the two will end up together.
Sometimes
we just need a great romantic movie, even if it is transparent and
predictable. We simply need to let our minds and bodies rest and be
entertained for a brief spell.
Giulia Nahmany
I had never heard of the lead actress, Giulia Nahmany. While watching the credits at the end of the movie, I noticed that she also wrote the story and was one of the executive producers of the movie. I wanted to know more about her, so I did a bit of research and found that she started her career as a soloist. Pretty cool! So, not only can she write, act, and produce a movie, she can sing. Impressive!!! Somehow, I think we will be seeing her again in the future and the next time, I will know her name.
Conclusion
Of course, I love the romantic plot of Love by Design. I also enjoyed the way the movie embraced multiple body types in fashion. Danielle's creations flatter several different shapes and sizes.
Many of us can relate to the women in the movie. We want fashion that will compliment our bodies. We should not have to fit our bodies to the current fashions. As a curvy female, I can relate to Danielle who is constantly dieting in order to try to meet an unrealistic body size expectation. I also know exactly how frustrating it is to try to buy clothes in a fashion world that designs for a smaller, straight or flat body type. Some would say that both expectations in this movie are unrealistic. Perhaps they are, but we still desire to be loved. And, to have fashion designers who create fabulous fashions for all of us.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Last week I reviewed a fabulous contemporary romantic Christmas movie, The Spirit of Christmas. This week I am shifting the focus back to an old holiday classic. Christmas in Connecticut may be over 70 years old, but it is far from outdated. It is simply a fun movie about a woman who gets caught in her deceptions and tries desperately to cover her tracks, and keep her job! Barbara Stanwyck takes the lead role as Elizabeth Lane in this Christmas romantic comedy and Dennis Morgan plays the part of the unsuspecting soldier who joins her "family" for Christmas. For some of you it may matter that this movie is in black and white. It has not been colorized like some of the old classics. For me, I enjoy the step back into a simpler time and a movie that stands on it's own as pure entertainment.
Synopsis of the Christmas in Connecticut Movie Plot
Elizabeth Lane is an extremely popular journalist who claims to be a fabulous cook, a wife, a mother, and the ideal homemaker. She is able to write well enough that no one even suspects she is unmarried and completely clueless about preparing food. Even the publisher has no idea she is a fraud.
Christmas in Connecticut (BD) [Blu-ray]The story takes place during WWII. Jefferson Jones is one of two survivors when his naval warship was torpedoed by a German submarine. He and his fellow survivor spent 18 days in a raft on the ocean. Needless to say, they were literally starving and Jefferson dreamed of a fabulous meal anytime he slept. When they were finally rescued and hospitalized, Jefferson could not eat solid food and was placed on a milk diet. He continued to crave a real meal. He was so desperate to eat, that he even proposed to one of the nurses so she would take sympathy on him and bring him food.
After 6 weeks in the hospital, and many meals, he was no longer anxious to get married. The nurse thought that if he simply experienced a home for Christmas and observed how wonderful it could be to have a wife, that surely he would follow through and marry her. She wrote Alexander Yardley, the publisher of the magazine that employed Elizabeth Lane. She requested that they extend an invitation for Christmas to this soldier who had been through such an ordeal and had no where to go for the holidays. In response to the letter, Mr. Yardley insisted that Elizabeth Lane and her family include Mr. Jones in their Christmas celebration. No only that, Mr. Yardley invites himself to come spend a few days with them for Christmas too.
That is where the fun begins! Elizabeth must find a farm, a husband, a child and learn to cook outstanding meals in a few short days before Mr. Jones and Mr. Yardley show up to join her and her family for a Christmas in Connecticut.
Christmas in Connecticut Trailer
This is an old Hallmark channel trailer. I did check the Hallmark channel schedule for showtimes. At the time of publishing, Christmas in Connecticut was not on this seasons schedule. However, you can continue to check it here:
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Let me "propose" this solution for an otherwise boring evening!
The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds is a delightfully entertaining movie. Even though the movie is pretty predictable, it is refreshingly funny and romantic.
Sandra & Ryan really are a good match! Not only are they a cute couple, but they appear to interact naturally with each other.
Betty White, Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson each added their own special touch of fun and awesomeness in their supporting roles. The total cast really made this movie one of the best romantic comedies I have ever seen.
This is one of the best movies I have seen in decades. My son took me and my husband to see this movie the week it opened. The guys really went just to accompany me, but they ended up being thoroughly entertained too.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I get really tired of going to the theater, paying astronomical admission prices, then going home more depressed than I was before I went. Oh wait, I wasn't depressed before I left home!
Regardless, that was not the case with this movie. I actually felt lighter and happier when I left the theater and wonders of all wonders, I was laughing. When this happens, it is an occasion to rejoice; and write a review!
Be warned though, there is a nude, well mostly nude, scene. However, it was so funny that I forgot to be embarrassed.
The Proposer
Margaret Tate
Sandra Bullock has always been one of my favorite actresses. Not only do I think she is beautiful and witty, she appears to be the type of person I would want for a best friend.
If I had read the screenplay first, I never would have pictured Sandra Bullock playing the part of Margaret Tate. Gratefully, I was not on the casting committee because she certainly is the perfect choice.
She is extremely entertaining without being crude, rude or socially unacceptable. Well, maybe she was a bit rude in this movie, but she is still somehow very lovable.
The Proposee
Andrew Paxton
Surprise, surprise, surprise! Ryan Reynolds is truly remarkable!
While he has never especially impressed me in the past, I couldn't even tell you what I have seen him in before, he was phenomenal as Andrew Paxton. You absolutely must see this movie! His expressions alone should make this a box office hit.
Nothing less than an Oscar deserving performance!
While he may not have received an Oscar, he did win MTV's Best Comedic Performance Award for this movie.
The Plot of "The Proposal"
Only a teaser. I won't give the whole movie away
When Margaret Tate learns that she faces being deported due to an expired visa, the manipulative and despised executive declares that she is actually engaged to her unsuspecting assistant, Andrew.
Shortly thereafter, Margaret and Andrew find themselves in the Immigration office insisting that they really are in love. In order to prove to the suspicious immigration officer that they are the "real thing", Margaret once again lies and states that they actually have plans to spend the weekend with Andrew's family in Alaska, where they intend to announce their engagement to his family. After being totally caught off guard by this declaration, Andrew decides to make a few demands of his own, starting with a proposal.
Alaska becomes the setting for one comedic episode after another.
At the risk of being redundant, You Simply Must See This Movie!
The Proposal Trailer
Join me for a brief look at the movie!
Others Opinions of "The Proposal"
Reviews
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
"The chemical energy between Bullock and Reynolds is fresh and irresistible"
The Hollywood Reporter by Kevin Lally
"The situations might be formulaic, but the teamwork of the two leads brings them to sparkling life"
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
"Recycles a plot that was already old when Tracy and Hepburn were trying it out. You see it coming from a great distance away. As it draws closer, you don't duck out of the way, because it is so cheerfully done, you don't mind being hit by it"
Los Angeles Time by Betsy Sharkey
"Just a good old-fashioned romance, one in which people actually bring out the best in one another rather than the worst. How novel is that?"
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That's
what Cher says to Nicolas Cage when he tells her he's in love with her,
"Snap out of it!", then she slaps his face! It's a famous, classic
scene in the 1987 movie Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. A Movie about Love Centered Around 'Cosmo's Moon'
Moonstruck
ranks as one of my personal all time favorite romantic comedies. If you
haven't seen it, and you're a fan of funny romantic movies, then you're
sure to enjoy this one! You know a movie ranks high on your radar when
you start quoting lines from it all your life! Well, that's what this
movie did to me!
Some of the famous movie quote lines from Moonstruck:
When
you love them they drive you crazy because they know they can (A quote
by Olympia Dukukas who plays Rose Castorini, Cher's (Loretta Castorini)
mother in the movie
Rose Castorini asks, 'Do you love him
Loretta? Loretta says, 'Yah Ma I love him awful', 'Awe gee that's too
bad', says her mother
It's Johnny Cammareri <---It's the way
Julie Bovasso who plays 'Rita Cappomaggi' says this - She plays Cher's
Aunt in the movie
La Bella Luna!
Alla famigilia, Salut!
What is Moonstruck About?
The
movie is about a thirty something woman, Loretta Castorini, played by
Cher, whose boyfriend, Johnny Cammareri, played by Danny Aiello,
finally proposes to her. She accepts because she feels it's time to be
married.
Her mother Rose asks her, 'Do you love him
Loretta', she says no Ma..she responds saying she only likes him and
that he's a good man. Her mother is relieved to hear that, because as
pointed out in the above famous quote, Rose tells her daughter, 'when
you love them, they can drive you crazy'. Rose's husband Cosmo
(Loretta's father in the movie, played by Vincent Gardenia), drives
Rose crazy; she loves him, and suspects he's having an affair.
After
their engagement, Johnny has to fly to Palermo, Italy to be with his
dying mother, and he asks Loretta to go visit his brother Ronny (a
brother she had no idea he had!) Johnny wants to resolve his
differences with his brother, and asks Loretta/Cher to invite him to
the wedding.
Loretta goes to see Ronny (played by
Nicolas Cage). He's a funny dramatic caricature of a scorned man.
Ronny blames his brother for the lose of his fiance five years previous.
Loretta ends up going upstairs to his apartment to talk sense into
him, and one thing leads to another and they sleep together, but even
worse, they fall in love!
At the end, her mother
asks her, about Ronny, 'Do you love him Loretta?' ...Loretta says,
'Yah, Ma I love him awful'...her mother says, 'ah gees, that's too
bad'.
There are a lot of other 'love mix-ups' taking place, which make this movie pure entertainment to watch!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! What is Cosmo's Moon?
The
movie centers around the moon, referred to in the movie as Cosmo's
moon. Rita's brother, Raymond Cappommagi played by Louis Guss tells the
story of when he was a young boy who saw this huge moon in the sky, so
he proceeded to his bedroom window to look at it and he swears he saw
Cosmo standing outside his sister's window. Apparently the 'ole wise
tale is that the moon brings the woman to the man.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
If you're looking for a good romantic comedy movie, look no further! While You Were Sleeping is a flirty, fun, cheerful film that the whole family can watch.
What's the Movie About?
Sandra
Bullock plays Lucy Moderatz, a Chicago Transit Token Collector who's in
love with a handsome man she's never met, but sees everyday taking the
train. That man is played by Peter Gallagher; his character's name is
Peter Callaghan.
On one particular day, a mugger
pushes Peter onto the tracks, and Lucy, without thought for her own
safety jumps into action and saves Peter from an oncoming train. When
he's brought to the hospital, unconscious and in a coma (where he stays
for most of the movie), they won't let Lucy see Peter because she's not
family...at which point she quietly says under her breath, 'oh that's
alright I was just going to marry the guy'. One of the nurses hears what
she says, misunderstands it, and lets her see Peter, explaining to the
hospital staff that she's 'Peter's fiance'. His family show up and are
told by a nurse that Lucy is Peter's fiance - they're rather shocked! It
seems she's not really Peter's type as Peter is a high powered lawyer,
where Lucy is a down to earth loving, single, non-manipulative
women...the type Peter doesn't usually attract.
Lucy Falls in Love with Peter's Whole Family
The
story centers around Lucy being unable to tell Peter's family that
she's not really his fiance because for the first time in a long time
she feels like she's part of a family again. You see, Lucy lost both her
mother and father, was an only child, and doesn't have family.
The
story centers around Christmas time as well, so being invited over for
Christmas and being around all the fuss of the season in a family home
gives Lucy a sense of connection she's long needed.
Things Get Complicated When Lucy Meets Peter's Brother Jack
Lucy
ends up spending the night on the couch at Peter's parents home after
dinner and late that night Jack, played by Bill Pullman, comes
home..Lucy hears him speaking to his sister Mary, pretends to be
sleeping and tries to slip out quickly in the morning to avoid speaking
with Jack. Unfortunately that plan doesn't work; Jack is waiting on the
staircase to speak to Lucy before she leaves. You can see that despite
that fact that he doesn't believe she's Peter's fiance, he's very
attracted to her. Thus, things begin to get emotionally complicated when
neither Lucy or Jack can tell each other their true feelings about each
other..since, after all, Lucy is engaged to his brother (but not
really!).
The Movie is Filled with Numerous Funny Characters
One
of the funniest characters is Joe Fusco Jr., played by Michael Rispoli!
He's the son of the landlord in the building Lucy lives in. He has a
'thing' for Lucy, but of course, she's sweet to him, but doesn't have
'those feelings' for him. He flirts with her in comical ways..one day
he's standing at the bottom of the staircase as Lucy's unlocking her
apartment door, flashing some tickets, he shouts up to her.."Tomorrow night, eight o-'clock... I got ice capades...I know I guy" - This movie line gets tossed around in our house all time!
Peter
Boyle plays Ox Callaghan, the father and his dry sense of humor adds
dimension to the film as well as Jack Warden who plays 'Saul', the
family friend.
How does it End?
I
won't be spoiling the ending on this one, so if you haven't seen it,
you'll have to watch to see how it all turns out. It's a wonderful feel
good movie to watch on girls night or with the family. It usually comes
on TV during the holiday season. I watch it every year!
My Personal Sense when I Watch the Movie
I'm
not sure if this happens to you; but some movies bring me back to a
point in my own life and leave me almost missing that time gone by. My
early 20's remind me of Lucy's life: I moved to Toronto, had finished
school, was working and loved being a city girl. The 'city setting'
makes me think of my young days of living on my own, in my own apartment
in Downtown Toronto...a time I loved. Watching the characters walk
through the city, and laugh together...the cold winter days and
nights...all of it brings a familiar smile to my face. Her fun loving
relationship with Jack also reminds me of another time in my own life:
Love how this movie makes me feel!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
