A Golden Christmas 3 (2012 TV Movie) User Reviews

Family film

[Jackbv123 · 5/10 · 30 October 2020]

Goldens here, Goldens there, Goldens everywhere.

This is a family friendly film with obvious appeal to young ages.

The story was all over the place. There is very little tension beyond the pending move to NYC by the leading lady. There are no real surprises. There's very little in the movie to do with Christmas.

There are too many musical montages. The very end of the movie is a nearly 8 minute roll interrupted by only two brief segments of conversation. Is that perhaps because the director didn't trust the actors? I wasn't impressed with any of the acting, but that could easily have been the dialogue which was bland and often didn't make sense. I was especially disappointed with Nikki Deloach who has since had many leading roles in movies like this, some of which included some great scenes having deep emotional content. In this movie, I thought she tried to hard.

The stalker ex-boyfriend is too annoying. It's troubling to see movies like this insert characters who do not understand that no is no and get away with it for far too long. After the last such scene, the ex goes off and trashes the leading lady with a superior attitude that something is wrong with her because she didn't worship him.

Third time's the charm

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 21 September 2021]

The first 'A Golden Christmas' was rather average, with enough good things but significantly unbalanced by a truly over-the-top obnoxious lead character and actress. The second was an improvement and improved on a lot of things. So while expectations were not massive for 'A Golden Christmas 3', as sequels do have a variable reputations (often the third films in trilogies), there were hopes, especially as there are people saying it's the best of the three.

After seeing 'A Golden Christmas 3', actually do personally disagree with it being the best of the series. For me the second is the best, but this is a quite a close second best. Didn't love it, but certainly didn't hate it. Feelings were instead mixed to positive, with a lot of the good things seen in the first two films seen and like the second film it doesn't have the disadvantage of an overly negative female lead unbalancing the film. Just wish it could have been better.

Certainly 'A Golden Christmas 3' has good things. It is pleasant looking, especially the scenery inside and particularly out. The music generally doesn't sound cheap or over-bearing, and was clearly done by someone that knew what they were writing music for. The two leads are very engaging, with Nikki DeLoach particularly giving it her all. Their characters are neither too perfect and the negative character traits are not over-exaggerated.

Supporting cast generally were above average, with the roles not feeling overacted or underplayed. Also didn't feel annoyed by most of the characters and the dogs are adorable. There are enough cute and charming moments here and the chemistry had a warmth.

However, there are things that could have been done a lot better. Some of the script is very cheesy, especially in the early stretches which are also too slight in momentum. Do agree that there are too many musical montages that were generally not necessary and randomly placed.

Likewise with that the ex-boyfriend character is an overused stereotype that is very annoying and the only character that has negative characteristics that are overwritten. The story is very predictable and not always focused and the central relationship while charming and natural was too rushed in development.

In conclusion, slightly above average but not much mind-blowing here. 5.5/10.

A golden Christmas is golden alright. It's dog urine of a movie.

[ironhorse_iv · 5/10 · 21 December 2013]

I just can't stand this TV movie produced by Ion Television as it follows every clichés of cheesy romance TV movies. Then you added Christmas to the mix with a blender of cute puppies and you get yourself, one big mess of a movie. This movie is sometimes call Home for the Holidays, which works a lot better than Golden Christmas 3. I have to say, it might seem alright for some older middle age women to watch it and like it, but for the most part for anybody not that target audience; it's a quite predictable, a touch corny and over the top romantic comedy that isn't funny. It's clean Family Approved movie romance. In my opinion, romance should never be clean. Love is often, realistic a bit 'dirty'. First off, the movie has little to do with the first two movies, 2009's Golden Christmas & the first movie's sequel, 2011's 3 Holiday Tails AKA Golden Christmas 2. No need to worry about not seeing 1 and 2 because there is no continuation thread in this series. Number 3 has a very new story. The movie is about a big time theater director, career driven, Heather (Shantel Vansanten). She is trying to move to New York City for a big job after Christmas. Before she end up going, for some odd reasons; her friends is trying to set her up with a date, with an old schoolmate, just out of the navy, Bobby (Rob Mayes). As much as Heather doesn't want to go out with him because of her career, she end up falling in love with him after a number of romance dates with Boby, set ups tricks by her girl pal, Julia (Nikki DeLoach). Now, she has to choose, what is best for her, her career in New York or the man of her dreams? Honestly, the conflict in the film isn't that interesting, and can easily be solved. I would love them to have a stronger reason why they couldn't be together. It would make a better movie. I don't know what is wrong with Julia. She really cares about Heather too much to the point, that I think she's dependent on her. I know she wants the best for her, but she's going to the extremes here. Heather told her multiples times, not to set up a date with Bobby because of her career, but she does it anyways, because she fears that her friend will leave town forever and never come back. Rather than working on her own marriage with her subordinate dumb husband, she spying on Heather engaged in intimate behaviors with Bobby like an odd creepy voyeurism. Julia needs help. Talking about creepy, we got the old ex Roger (Mark Famiglietti) whom is always trying to get Heather back with him. Mark is clearly miscast in this role. His character seem more charming than a selfish smarmy jerk. After all, he pretty got her the puppies in the first place. If that isn't a sign that Heather doesn't have time for Bobby. She's also busy directing a 'Christmas Carol' with an actor Mr. Cole (Orson Bean) that hates dogs and Bobby's niece, Myra (Alex Peters) who loves them. The dogs are barely used in this film. The Golden Retrievers are pretty much just background props, most of the time. For the most part, Orson Bean is the best actor in this movie. Alex Peters is a charming actress, but her character own B-story romance that isn't necessary for the story. It really wasted a lot of screen time, better use for Bobby and Heather. Bobby and Heather were OK, but they come off as not realistic characters. Bobby doesn't do anything, but wait for Heather to fall in love with him. Doesn't he have any personal life, besides that? Heather doesn't comes off as a real theater director. She doesn't have the acting chops to express much emotions. It's always odd to see in all these movies, single women is an unhappy women because she doesn't have a man in her life. I'm happy to note this usually only happens in the movies. Both main actors are beautiful stereotypes romantic TV couple, but their love chemistry seems so fake looking. It really look like they walk off the set of the reality TV show, The Bachelor and into a TV movie. Nothing about them seems real to me. Another thing, this movie is market as Christmas, but besides the Christmas play, it has little to do with the holiday. The settling for this film is at a beach coast. I'm sorry, but I don't think a beach coast work as a good location for a Christmas movie! Where is the snow and cold? Another thing, I hate about this movie is the camera work. In the end of the film, it's a bit too jarring. The music choices were pretty bad. No tune really stand out. Don't expect anything more than one sweet-natured cliché after another such as best friends to lovers, love triangles, and the stupid mad rush to the airport. The one, I found stupid, is them finding each other, somehow on the Empire State Building, a few months later. Then Bobby ask her for marriage, follow by the big kiss. Yeah, it seems ridiculously implausible that they would last, they are at such different stages in their lives, and the movie just sort of ignored that. I don't think, I'm spoiling, but it's pretty known that they all live happily ever after like any other cheesy romance movie, if you believe that crap. Overall: it's one of the worst romantic comedies, I have ever saw. Not a good Christmas movie. Not a good dog movie. Not a good movie at all.

nice

[Kirpianuscus · 30 December 2017]

Not a bad story - but predictable-, decent performances and the right spices. a Hallmark Christmas story with well known steps and ingredients and end. special - the presence of Orson Bean and the reference to Christmas Carol by Dickens. and a fresh air about relationships. short, one of films remembering basic things who, in Christmas season, become real significant.

great stuff

[flisssaysno · 7/10 · 19 September 2022]

The filming is BIZARRE, why close ups on face??, she's carrying a puppy?? Why?? "he used to have a crush on me, i remember he used to kick me down on the playground" get fluffed, lots dogs! I DONT DRIVE BOATS, neither of them can control their dogs, she is a SCREAMER, the sound quality is bs, filmed in Idaho?? There's child love with like 12 year olds?? Bit creepy can't lie, ex fiancé does not understand a breakup?? It is INCREDIBLE that the antagonist is a whiny man in 2012 :0, best friend is cute i love her, i like this kid, LOVE this friendship, this girl stands up for dogs i love her, this is REALLY growing on me the jokes are all great, okay bestie is being a tad selfish by wanting mc to not go to NYC to be a broadway director >:(, well written dialogue, love the dog content, she has told him she's going to NYC and he's already in love with her she sucks for that, comedic timing is top tier, wild to me that the audience doesn't get to see the whole play, top notch acting, he is the definition of a golden retriever boy, he MOPEY, he went to get her :3, this film rlly went double standards? Never heard of them!

Got the Navy all wrong.

[chrisstallworth · 4/10 · 25 December 2017]

First of all, this is not about a Naval Officer. The man is a PO2, or Petty Officer Second Class. and he is also not as he claimed, a Navagation Specialist. He is a Operations Specialist. 2nd Class. OS2. Just had to get that part correct.

Tenuous link to Christmas

[emmahodgsn · 1/10 · 3 December 2018]

This film barely has any real connection to Christmas. (Christmas Day is ignored completely and ifinishes during July).

The worst movie I've ever seen

[alliebebenroth · 1/10 · 5 December 2018]

I love Shantel and was so excited to watch this movie. I've never written a movie review but just finished and had to.

This is the worst movie I have ever seen in my life!! To begin with, the scenes are all completely random and thrown together. They don't flow at all from one to another. In the beginning I wasn't sure if my DVR was cutting in and out, or if I was watching the actual movie.

Secondly, this is not a Christmas movie in the least. It starts around Christmas and that's about it. It doesn't focus on it AT ALL, and then ends in July while playing Christmas music?!

It's also the most predictable, illogical chick flick. They date for a week, he moves to NYC where he doesn't want to live, by chance runs into the girl at the top of the Empire State Building, and then they get married?!

Do NOT waste your time watching. Wow.

Best of the 'Golden' series by far

[chiltonsjillfreeport · 8/10 · 9 December 2019]

The high points in this one are solid, starting with the cast. With one exception, convincing performances all around. It's the best supporting cast I've seen in a Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas romance, from the female BFF to the older brother and the precocious tween niece.

There's plentiful good chemistry among them, with several laugh-aloud funny scenes.

The music was also above average, with extra points for skipping the most overused/annoying.

So far as shortcomings go, imo there are two biggies.

First, female lead Shantel VanSanten as Heather wasn't entirely awful, but pretty unconvincing at times. The writing is partly to blame-the character is so insubstantial I couldn't buy her as a director of any sort. She suffers by comparison to co-star Rob Mayes, who is head of the class among male actors in this genre.

Second, the plot was almost non-existent, even for a holiday romance. There were 4-count 'em 4!-montages, which is just lazy storytelling.

One side note: I accidentally DVRed the film twice due to the different titles; as 'Love for Christmas' on Lifetime and 'A Golden Christmas 3' on Ion. Ion sometimes listed it @ as LFC instead.

Under either title, the Ion version had an extra scene that was missing from the Lifetime version, and the 1st montage was roughly twice as long.

Lost me with NYC scenes

[cheevers-63812 · 4/10 · 8 December 2018]

This was the typical Christmas movie... schmalty and all but like able.... until she went to NYC. Come on!! It's bad enough the trees still had leaves but she's walking around in a light weight sweater in December. Continuity people.

Problem with description

[obamasteinaba · 27 November 2017]

The movie description say (Naval Officer). This is incorrect. The young man rank is 2nd Class Petty Officer. I know they went after the younger age group, but this would have been a much better movie if it were about a retired Chief Petty Officer or actual naval officer.

They could have gone with the theme of a Officer and Gentleman from 30 years ago. That might have worked. I still think it would have worked much better if they had gone with a more mature age group since they made it about the US military.

Shalom

This movie is a chick flick BEWARE!

[dance-pointe14 · 1/10 · 5 January 2014]

This movie was very disappointing. It had literally nothing to do with the dogs on the cover. Do not be mislead. Also involved is a kid who went out with some curly headed boy, but was later dumped for an older woman on facebook. Upsetting. The love story is a cliché,and the movie is too predictable. It's literally about two 6th grade sweethearts reuniting on the beach, after losing Biscuit. Strange. If you like predictable chick flicks, this is the movie for you. This movie was cheesy. very cheesy. I have higher standards for movies. This movie was not worth the dollar I spent to rent this at the Redbox. I do not recommend this movie at all.

Dare I say it? An unnecessary sequel.

[theryanlintelman · 2/10 · 2 December 2012]

It was an impossible task. Director Michael Fiefer was asked to helm a follow-up to the greatest and most heart-warming Christmas classic of the modern era. Of course, I am speaking of the perplexingly straight- to-DVD holiday standard Golden Christmas 2.

Compared to that mighty standard, perhaps the most technically perfect script ever committed to celluloid, and despite the remarkable performance of Orson Bean as "Mr. Cole," Golden Christmas franchise fans around the world are today scratching their heads in a communal sigh of "hmm?!"

Mark Famiglietti, who plays "Roger," was hopelessly miscast, for starters. If I never see another Golden Retriever-centric Christmas film with Mark Famiglietti again, that would be just peachers, IMHO.

And my second and final complaint is that there just aren't enough dogs in this film. Compared to a motion picture like Hotel for Dogs, which promised at least as much hotel as dog representation but far over- delivered on the latter, I have to say that there is just too much Christmas in this film, not enough Golden. KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

Would not watch again.

Worthless but watchable kinda?

[Jithindurden · 3/10 · 16 October 2023]

This is so weird because it's so bad on every level but in a consistent way that looks almost competent but not really. It's more like every single person who worked in this, from the writer, the director, the actors, to the original songs, was hell-bent on being just lazy enough to do things badly but showing they might actually be better than that. It's weird because even though there isn't really one single thing that's good in this, it didn't go into a frustrating watch, maybe because, a Christmas romance already lowers expectations but it just felt okay to watch while fully realizing it's really not worth anything at all.

A cute holiday romantic-com about hope, love and lost. I LOVED it!!!

[ClayandQuinnFan2010 · 10/10 · 7 December 2012]

A Golden Christmas 3 follows a free spirit threatr director, Heather Hartly played very well by the talented Shantel VanSanten. She has hopes to being a Broadway theatre director until her childhood sweetheart returns to town from the navel, Bobby also played very well by Rob Mayes. Rob Mayes is very handsome, I wouldn't be surprised if this movie makes him the next Hollywood hunk and he so much on screen charisma. Shantel VanSanten is very adorable in this role, my favorite scene in the movie with her when she was on the beach with her puppy, she was cute.

This romantic comedy is very cute, Rob Mayes & Shantel VanSanten both had fantastic chemistry together and you really believed they really loved each other. There is a scene where they really showed off their acting chops emotionally.

Nikki Deloach is downright adorable and hilarious as Julia. Her chem with Shantel was also very genuine. You could tell Julia really cared about Heather and wanted the best for her.

I highly recommend this movie. Think its way better than the first 2 golden Christmas movies. Plus the puppies are adorable. So if you like cute dogs, romantic comedies, holiday movies than check this out.

10/10 stars for me.

I might watch it for Rob Mayes?

[adamjohns-42575 · 5/10 · 5 December 2022]

Love For Christmas/A Golden Christmas 3 (2012) -

I do love a sailor! And cute dogs are always good to win me over, but on this second or perhaps third time of watching this one, I decided that I just couldn't finish it. Normally the way Rob Mayes looked as Bobby the sailor man, would be enough to keep my interest, but the situations and silliness, especially with Heather's (Shantel VanShanten) boyfriend Roger and Mr. Cole drove me a bit crazy on this viewing. I also hate it when they crucify Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'.

Also, Mark Famiglietti, who played Roger has become very typecast, playing obnoxious knobheads and that's a shame, because he could be very cute in a leading man role.

As I said, I have seen it all the way through before, but I don't really remember the ending, maybe my sub conscious was telling me that it was bad, which was why I turned it off, but I didn't feel that it would be fair to score it based on this occasion.

Unscored as Unfinished.

Best of the Three

[deansam · 10/10 · 12 December 2015]

I'm not sure if there are spoilers really but just in case be warned.

I have seen the second one and parts of the first one and I have to say that this one is hands down the best. I don't understand why people say this is one that shouldn't have been made. It is the only one I can stand.

There are golden retrievers again which are so cute. It's Christmas time and a couple that must find out if they will be together or won't.

The movie had me teary eye and that is something that doesn't happen often. The romance and story line was perfect and I love to watch this movie even if it isn't Christmas time. The characters fit in their roles and didn't seemed forced like in the second one.

Fun

[barneybeth · 10/10 · 11 December 2018]

This is not an Academy Award winner. But it is a lovely movie to watch when you want something happy and cheerful. Be done with all the gore on TV. Watch something that leaves you with a wonderful feeling and smiling. Thank you thank you thank you. I have to admit though that I saw it as love for Christmas on Hallmark. Yes the sailor's uniform gave me a start because I thought it was wrong and it was, but who really cares. Hollywood gets a lot wrong. Smile and have fun

Myrn from A Gold Christmas 3

[borzgabor · 10/10 · 16 November 2015]

I would have love to have seen more of Myrn from A Gold Christmas 3 movie she played awesome in the movie i wish i could meet her one day. I hope they make a another A gold Christmas 4 movie soon. if you make one you should have Myrna from A Gold Christmas 3 play in with Fred or where she meets her true love in the movie and they stay boy friend and girlfriend. i hope they make A gold Christmas 4 movie soon i love the movies a lot. i love how Myrn did her role in the movie i would love to play in A Gold Christmas movie 4. my favorite is the Gold Christmas 3 movie.I love these Golden Christmas movies and was rather hoping for Golden Christmas 4 this year. I own the first two and am now buying the third. I recommend this movie if you like romantic comedy Christmas movies. Great choice of actors. please click on the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne9dsyQJSng Home for Christmas A Golden Christmas 3 Myrn Slideshow