The Christmas Card (2006 TV Movie) User Reviews

A Soldier's Story

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 27 December 2020]

If you are familiar with other Hallmark holiday romances, this one is different than most. Neither of the main characters has a bubbly, festive personality. This might be considered a more serious film. And there is a reason for that.

The main character is Cody Cullen (John Newton), an American soldier stationed in Afghanistan. Through a community outreach program, he receives a letter from a small town named Nevada City. When he is sent stateside to deliver the dog tags of a fallen soldier to the widow, he decides to travel to Nevada City.

Through a series of coincidences, he connects with a family that runs a lumber mill. The daughter is Faith (Alice Evans). She might be interested in him if she didn't already have a steady boyfriend.

One of the best aspects of this film is Ed Asner, who plays Faith's father with positivity and mirth.

The film hits all the right emotional buttons for many who watch the Hallmark offerings, with scenes that reinforce the values of hard work, patriotism, prayer, small-towns, the family dinner table, and nature's beauty.

An emotional pay-off comes at the end of the film, but the ending is too abrupt, as many other reviewers have written.

Ed Asner makes a good film great

[Lew777 · 8/10 · 29 November 2018]

This plays out like a good drama . I was so engrossed in the story, I kept forgetting it was a Hallmark movie - that's how good it is ! The 2 main leads Alice Evans(Faith) & John Newton (Sgt Cody Cullen, the strong silent type) do a good job, as does the team of supporting actors, especially Peter Jason as Faith's Uncle. However, the tour-de-force belongs to Ed Asner who plays Faith's Dad, Luke. He's so good, so believable and has loads of good lines to deliver. The story itself is best left to others to describe, but it just conveys a love for Family , honour and tradition that tugs at the heart. It's a feel-good film - way better than you were expecting, I'll bet !

Excellent inspiring story of hope when all seems lost

[chucksredhead · 10/10 · 6 January 2007]

I loved everything about this movie. I do wish that the ending had been drawn out just a bit more. Perhaps a sequel. Cody had been through so much and thought all was lost. He deserved just a minute more to bask in the moment. I was not familiar with John Newton or Alice Evans prior to this movie but I will watch for their work in the future. I am hooked. They are captivating. Excellent cast. Wonderful story of hope and how the smallest act of kindness can have a profound impact on our lives. The military theme was so well timed. The movie location was breathtaking. Thanks Hallmark for wonderful inspiring movies such as this one. I will look forward to the movie being released on DVD.

Heartwarming and Cozy

[folsominc2 · 7/10 · 19 December 2006]

I thought it was a truly heartwarming picture with a lot of scenes that make a person feel nice and cozy inside. I love the reference to the Vietnam veterans which is another war that seemed never to end and the fact that the characters were very believable.

Ed Asner's performance as usual is fantastic and very realistic.

However, on the downside, I felt that the Faith character needed more strength in her performance and that it definitely needed a better ending. The ending was way too fast for such a build-up. I mean, there are some assumptions that viewers can take for granted but for there just to be a quick embrace after-wards was just too fast.

Goof: The question I had is how or why was the diner open on Christmas day so that Faith could buy Cody the meal that she was carrying at the end of the movie. Seemed a bit far-fetched.

Nevertheless, I hope to purchase this movie for my collection.

Hometown young woman faced with age-old love triangle dilemma

[tompillion · 10/10 · 2 December 2006]

I have been monitoring this website for a couple of years now and have enjoyed reading the comments, but have never had the urge to leave a comment...until now. I was totally unfamiliar with Alice Evans, but was so taken by her performance, and by the story, that I had to comment. I loved the way she portrayed her character, interacted with John Newton, and solved the dilemma she faced. Ed Asner and John Newton had great performances as well, but Alice was the one who kept me captivated. My wife was watching the show and I passed through the room when the show was about half over. I watched for several minutes and, although I had missed the first hour, still got into the story quickly. I liked what I saw so much that I immediately sat down and watched the repeat encore in its entirety. Some may think the story predictable and maybe a bit syrupy, but I loved the wholesome way the characters were portrayed...especially how Alice portrayed Faith.

I highly recommend this family oriented romantic story.

Heartwarming

[Sergiodave · 6/10 · 10 December 2020]

A good Christmas TV movies for all the family. Well directed and acted. Nice to see a movie focusing on soldiers serving overseas. It's soppy, but just what you need at Christmas.

Buy this Film

[Christmas-Reviewer · 10/10 · 8 August 2016]

I am on a quest to watch every Christmas theme film ever made. I have seen over 50 in the past year alone and this one is one the best.

For a change of pace this film is not about a poor young widowed mother. (That seems the major plot lines for Hallmark Movies) Its about "Love" and taking chances. In this film a soldier on leave (John Newton) visits a small town and falls for the woman (Alice Evans) who wrote a well-wishing card to the troops. The whole town has in fact sent soldiers Christmas Cards that have been fighting in Iraq. When one soldier loses his friends in combat his commander suggest that he "take leave". The soldier has no family of his own but his commander tells him he needs to go back to the USA to remember what he is really fighting for.

This is a perfect movie. The film never drags. The leads are attractive. The location a beautiful co-star.

Merry Christmas

Heart-warming romantic holiday movie

[bgajunkie · 6/10 · 22 December 2015]

Mostly every other reviewer has already reviewed the film adequately so I don't need to repeat that. I enjoyed the story and it made a good romantic holiday movie, light on faith, but strong in the bonds of fellowship with friends & family.

The only part of this story that seemed original and true to the situation though, was the fact that Cody spent night after night in the lumber yard workshop making the wooden bench for the area at Luke & Rosie special place, as a celebration of love. It seemed to me that apart from falling in love with Faith, and Nevada City; Cody wanted to leave something substantial behind when he returned to Afghanistan.

The romance seems believable and heartfelt, and is an all-round feel good family Christmas movie. The veteran / serving soldier elements feel a little misplaced in this movie and should only be considered as a prop to build the plot on.

Good Movie/Not the best Actress

[khemet00 · 5/10 · 4 December 2006]

The biggest problem with this movie was not the story itself; it was the actress who played Faith (Alice Evans). When I first started watching the movie I could not put my finger on why this actress bothered me. There were moments I thought to myself "she is not bad" and then others moments when I was left scratching my head. It dawned on me half way through the film that Ms. Evans was not from North America and that she was obviously trying very hard to speak with an American accent. When I looked it up on IMDb I found that I was correct, she is from England and has mostly worked in England and France. It is hard to explain without someone watching, but when someone does not understand the subtleties and inflections of a certain accent they come across as stiff and awkward. This is what happened with Ms. Evans in this Hallmark movie. You could tell the dialog was forced and she was concentrating more on her accent than on acting. If they had gotten a different actress or even if Ms. Evans had gotten a better language coach this movie would have probably been an 8 or 9. It was a good story with an almost great cast. Unfortunately, having a less than convincing lead character made this movie less than appealing.

Excellent Movie for Everyone

[caruuzin · 10/10 · 5 December 2006]

In this generation, it's not easy finding movies that are not only excellent stories, but clean and wholesome for the whole family. The movie is "real" and not some fairy tale Christmas story. It makes you feel like you visited the characters yourself. The actors are all great, and the movie never gets boring. The plot continues to build on emotions and suspense of the fate of the lone soldier. It will make you look deeper into your own relationships to find your true feelings for someone in place of a false sense of belonging to someone. I would watch this many times again and more so at Christmas time. God bless the soldiers who receive such heartfelt Christmas cards and give them strength and hope to fulfill their dreams.

Emotional, in spite of the lead actors

[Tantrum1701 · 6/10 · 23 February 2014]

Although a bit flimsy, the plot is not to bad. A Christmas card from an unknown woman as the trigger for the lead character to find love, well I haven't seen that before.

Throughout the movie the story offers enough emotional moments and where Asner and Nettleton are rather convincing, Newton and Evans seem to just have had a Botox treatment. Almost the whole time without any emotions except for the final seconds at the Vietnam memorial. That looked genuine. Probably because their faces weren't visible.

Still, I think the movie is worth your time. I enjoyed it, despite the poor acting.

The original Middle East Veteran's Christmas

[pmomailme-49635 · 10 December 2020]

This is a feel good Christmas movie. I have seen it many times and I will continue to see it every year. Why? Because it has several characters that I care about. That is what is missing in so much of what passes for movie 'entertainment' today. Ed Asner is in his element as Luke the patriarch of a Northern California lumber mill operation. His daughter Faith, with the international wine broker boyfriend who is rarely around as he travels the globe, is a knockout who loves working the mill with her Mom & Dad & her Mom's brother Uncle Richard. Faith & several members of the local church send Christmas cards to soldiers in war zones every year. Sergeant Cody Cullen, a career Army soldier gets one of Faith's cards. It tells him if he is ever in the area to stop by & visit Nevada City where the lumber mill is . This becomes helpful & inspirational when one of his troops dies in a mortar attack. He reads the card over & over and eventually he takes mandatory leave & delivers his fallen mate's dog tags to his widow. As he wanders in to Nevada City he meets Luke and Faith and the fun starts. This is a very nice movie that happens to have a Christmas theme. I highly recommend it.

Not the best Christmas but it's Nevada City!!!!!

[s-waters · 4/10 · 3 December 2006]

Sorry my fellow Nevada City neighbors, but this one is bad.

Brian must have had too much botox because he had very little facial expressions through out the entire movie.

Alice looked like she had a board strapped to her backside. She was stiff throughout the movie.

I looked up both Alice and Brian and was surprised to see the extensive bio of work. I would have guessed that they were first-year students.

Ed Asner and Peter Jason carried the movie frankly with their banter and ease with every line. Ed certainly has not lost his charisma. I wish I'd taken the time to meet him while he was here.

I love the snow scenes and scenes of stores and the church because I've been there. I make Nevada City my home and was anxiously awaiting the premiere. I was sadly disappointed.

Sorry.

Excellent

[jimrice · 8/10 · 11 December 2006]

We need more shows depicting life in the rural areas, depicting prayer, family, and love.

Ed Asner does a wonderful job as a Dad who wants his daughter to be happy with someone that respects her wishes. Great scenery, good story, and good family show.

The bond between soldiers may be overstated, but we should all respect our troops, whether we believe our leadership is doing the right thing overseas, or not.

The show also demonstrates how all the individuals respect each other, and how hard work can build a good life.

Love begins with respect, and dies without it. To me, that is what this story is all about.

Not bad, but a lot didn't make sense

[Jackbv123 · 6/10 · 28 November 2017]

There are many heartwarming moments in this nice romantic film. But I thought that many of the plot lines were forced. For one thing, it made no sense to me that Cody didn't reveal the card to Faith at one moment early in the film where it seemed to be the obvious thing to do.

Alice Evans, as Faith, had way to many scenes where she showed little emotion. John Newton, as Cody, was hardly any better in the emotion department, but at least for him, this made sense in his character and the situation. I wouldn't be jumping for joy if I were in love with another man's serious girlfriend. The path to love for these two was underplayed too much in the movie. We got far more evidence of it from the people around them than we did the couple themselves.

And where did Paul even come from? How did they meet? How did she fall in love? At least one thing made sense. As Faith's dad realized, she would be far more content with the man who worked extra hard with his hands and was totally comfortable in the outdoors. Traveling the world would have little if no appeal to Faith, especially if it meant leaving her family.

Edward Asner was excellent and so was Peter Jason who is probably responsible for most of the life and humor in the movie.

Beautiful card

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 6 July 2021]

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime primarily the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark for curiosity sake. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. Saw 'The Christmas Card' because of my love of the holiday, because the premise sounded lovely and Edward Asner is always worthwhile.

Just like he is here. 'The Christmas Card' though does have many great things besides him. While it may not be a great film or a perfect one, of the festive films seen recently 'The Christmas Card' is one of the best and definitely in the former category of well meaning, charming, warm hearted and not feeling too heavy. If asked whether it is worth watching, my answer would definitely be yes without a shadow of a doubt without being completely esctatic about it.

'The Christmas Card' could have been better though. Ben Weber for my tastes is too wooden.

It also starts off on the slow side.

Once 'The Christmas Card' gets going though, it is a lovely film through and through. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are beautiful to look at. The music has presence but is not too loud or constant, melodramatic excess is definitely not a problem here. The direction is skillful enough while suitably understated. The script is very well meaning and doesn't take itself too seriously or get too treacly, while never treating things as a joke.

Story is heart-warming and moving, with more depth and seriousness than the usual Christmas-centric film. Without being too sentimentalised or heavy. The characters are worth caring about and the chemistry between them is natural. Lois Nettleton gives a sincere performance and Alice Evans and John Newton charm in their roles. Best of all is Asner, who plays his role with a heartfelt twinkle.

Lovely film all in all. 8/10.

A fair military service Christmas romance

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 26 December 2014]

Most people with family connections to the military may find "A Christmas Card" especially enjoyable. I'm a veteran and come from a family of several vets. Others may like it too. It is a nice Christmas romance connected to modern times of military service. I especially enjoy the scenery of the towns and parts of country chosen for this and other Christmas holiday films. But, some aspects of this film have me, and perhaps other viewers who aren't otherwise love-struck, downgrading it overall. A couple of other reviewers noted this as well and have good analyses of the plot and performances.

This TV movie for the Hallmark channel has a wonderful story idea. The acting jobs by Ed Asner (Luke), Alice Evans (Faith), Lois Nettleton (Rosie) and Peter Jason (Richard) are excellent. But, the performances of the two young male leads, John Newton (Sgt. Cody Cullen) and Ben Weber (Paul) were stiff and tepid. Both actors seemed wooden in their performances. Paul even acted hesitantly at times – in a way that makes one think the actor forgot his lines.

I will grant that Cody was a quiet person, not someone who would be very outgoing. But, given the exuberance of the entire Spelman clan (Luke, Faith, Rosie and Richard), Cody seemed very wooden and out of place. Both of the young male actors seemed devoid of even the basic energy that all people have most of the time, regardless of their ilk. They seemed lifeless. This viewer thought that the other characters – especially Luke and Richard, overly prompted Luke to get a little life into him, as though they were coaching him to put a little more energy into his life (and role).

Seldom do I linger this long on one or two character performances. But here they were so much in contrast that it was a real detraction from the story. The director had to share some of that responsibility, by not getting those two actors to put more into their roles. And the script and direction account for the choppiness at times, and weak connections in some scenes.

As I said, this movie had so much going for it in the idea, the setting and some very good performances. These other shortcomings rob it of at least a couple of stars in my book. And, that means it isn't a film I will keep in my library for viewing at future Christmases and holiday periods.

One of my favorite movies!

[Doveoflove85 · 10/10 · 2 December 2007]

When I saw the advertisements for this movie I said to myself, "That looks SO sappy" But the night it showed, my mom and I were sitting in the living room watching TV and ended up on the Hallmark channel and watching "The Christmas Card". We were immediately caught up in the story and couldn't wait to see the ending, even though it ended at 1:30 a.m. This has to be my all time favorite Hallmark movie and in my Top 3 favorite movies of all time. I kept saying through out the movie to my mom, "Why can't all guys be Cody Cullen!?" I thought everyone did a wonderful job at acting. I loved the way the creators made the two old guys(Ed Asner and Peter Jason) the matchmakers. If you watch this movie you'll want to be apart of the Spelmen family, in a warm, cozy enviorment(where it actually snows in California) in the adorable small town of Nevada City.

beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 4 January 2021]

Its basic virtue is the story. Wise crafted, seductive, moving, clear and correct in details. The second, obvious, Alice Evans, John Newton and the location. Not the last, it is a film about faith. And that is the main virtue for a real Christmas film. And, in same measure, it is a film about dilemmas. No doubts, dilemmas are good ingredient for Hallmark films but, in this case, the way to give solution represents the lovely good point. Short, just beautiful.

Feel Good Movie

[kz917-1 · 7/10 · 4 December 2017]

You never know what small act of kindness may mean to someone. A young soldier finds his way to a small town after receiving a Christmas card sent by a woman in the town.

He ends up spending the holidays with the woman and her family and working at the family sawmill. Just when they are realizing their may be feelings growing the woman's mostly absent boyfriend comes to town.

Ugh. Is he a wet blanket.

In the end cute family story for the holiday season!

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 5/10 · 23 January 2020]

Though predictable and less christmasy, the story was pretty good. The idea was nice and the whole small town nostalgia was interesting.

This is a fantastic movie

[spiritbearmovie · 10/10 · 7 December 2006]

I'm not sure why anyone would say this is a bad movie with "wooden" actors. My boyfriend (who is an Army veteran) and I just finished watching The Christmas Card and we both loved it and the acting. It's a heart warming experience. I loved the soldier aspect of the screenplay and how great the family and church experience are that surround him when he arrives in Navada City. There are many lessons for us all here, but of course Hallmark is great for taking you on a heartfelt journey that helps us look at others with more kindness. The town and the scenery are also very beautiful. You really do feel like you, for a couple hours, belong in this town and to this family. God bless the troops and the reason for the season for we can all do with a bit of the "magic" created by movies like this.

awfully good

[dunamission · 6/10 · 23 December 2008]

For those who have no trouble detaching their minds from reality, this is a really charming story. However, its almost impossible to take seriously. Alice Evans must have read the script and laughed. A beautiful ambitious woman with a chipper personality, lives with her parents, works with her parents, and the highlight of the week is to go to an old peoples church with her parents. She has no life and yet she likes it like that. That's just ridiculous. She has a boyfriend who's a schmuck, and is rarely ever around. Then all of a sudden this military guy on leave comes into town with soap opera looks. He's a good man, polite, hardworking, kind thoughtful, and charming. It's like he was born with stars and stripes tattooed on his ass. John Newton didn't really have to do much acting, he looked miserable through the whole movie, as if he was thinking, how on earth are people supposed to believe this stuff? Everyone hero worships him because he is basically every prospective mother in law's fantasy son in law. Alice Evans must have thought he was too good to be true, as I guess every woman on the planet would think so. You can almost tell that Newton wanted to scream out a cuss word and go and get drunk, just do something to make us see he is a normal guy. The music is really strange in places too, it reminded me of laurel and hardy a little bit. Even when the mood changes, the music tinkles away in the background without changing. With all that being said, this film's not too bad.

Small town love triangle - the wine connoisseur didn't stand a chance against the military vet

[Ed-Shullivan · 5/10 · 15 December 2018]

This is a love story that takes place in the small town of Nevada City where the lovely lady named Faith Spelman (Alice Evans) has two suitors. One of her suitors is her currrent boyfriend Paul (Ben Weber) a wine connoisseur by trade who travels most of the time, When a military sergeant named Cody Cullen (John Newton) who is on a military leave during the Christmas season comes into town his arrival is based upon a phantom letter writer who invites all military soldiers to spend some time in her Nevada City where they will be welcomed with open arms and in gratitude for their military service.

Cody is a rugged single sombre man having spent a few years abroad serving his country but at his first unexpected meeting with the lovely Faith he takes on the spirit of Christmas which is most prevalent amongst all the townspeople and Faith's parents can't help but draw closer to Sergeant Cody than they do with the wine connoisseur Paul.

Yeah sure the story line has been done a thousand times before, a love triangle between a blonde and beautiful country raised girl, the smarmy current boyfriend and the rugged military man on leave who carries himself with honor and integrity. The Christmas theme is downplayed and the romance beomes the main story. It's nothing special but Mrs. Shullivan enjoyed it more than I did. Not bad, but not great. I give it a 5 out of 10 rating.

Why this film Rocks

[Sober-Friend · 10/10 · 1 July 2017]

First) The cast is great. Second) Its a film about adults. Third )The Setting is beautiful. Fourth) The characters are believable Fifth) It is about love.

This film is first rate all the way. I was not exactly excited to see this. Later I found myself "Yelling at The Television" and I never do that. So the film was working on me more than I knew when I was watching it.

I really love this film. Yes you can most likely guess the ending but "Not all of it" which makes this movie an emotional experience you will enjoy. This film is meant for ADULTS. Its not for people that love "Spider-Man".

The story is a man is on leave from the Iraq war. With no family of his own he goes to a town where the residents send "Christmas Cards" to our service men. To say anything more would be wrong. I love this film. If you like love stories then this is a must. If your a guy buy this for your girlfriend or wife and watch it together. Trust me you will thank me later.

Watch it and enjoy