The Good Witch's Garden (2009 TV Movie) User Reviews

Pagan/Celtic Wiccan Bittersweet review of Good Witches Garden

[spatch3 · 7/10 · 8 February 2009]

No sequel can be as fresh or as original as the first. This statement applies to the Good Witch sequel as it does to every other movie. In both movies, I loved Cassies off handed: "go and do this …" and it just changes the person's life. For example: Going to a garden club meeting when you don't know one is happening may cause a grandpa to get the attention of too many eligible women. Another example: Paying attention to such a simple object as a old wood tool that is used to plant seeds can also change a persons life. This example is almost to much to expect from such a simple object, but it makes for a good way to advance the story. Witches Garden has the originals positives and minuses: The made for TV feel is still very much here, but the lightheartedness of the main characters and Cassies insistence on always seeing the good in people even when it is obvious they are up to no good still makes this "a feel good movie" above the rest. I guess my main gripe with the movie series after seeing both, loving the first and liking the second is summed up in one word: Jealously. Cassie is more magickal than any Pagan, Wiccan or Witch could ever hope to be in real life. I know a lot of people in the craft and no one has her kind of intuition, no one. Then again this is just a movie, and as such a fantasy. This movie, like the first, presents a much maligned group in a positive light and that is a rare thing that must be commended.

SPOILER ALERT: Why oh why, did Cassie insist on giving Nick Chason the benefit of the doubt even when it was obvious he was up to no good? I guess this is the characters one weak point: Not seeing the bad or selfishness in people. When you are told your whole life how bad/evil you are and that you are going to hell for your beliefs or because of the way you live, it only makes sense to react in a completely opposite way to all of the judgmental people in your life.

Again, I would recommend this as a coming out (of the broom closet) movie, although I think the first one would be better since it starts from the beginning and no explanations would be necessary of any of the back story.

Cat knows

[nightroses · 7/10 · 15 August 2018]

This is probably the only time when a witch as powerful as Cassie doesn't listen to Isis. The mystical cat knew there was something odd about the new visitor from the moment he appeared. Cassie only wanted to see the good in him as she sees the good in all. There isn't anything wrong with that but she overlooked the guest's sinister plans. Cassie's beautiful garden is just fairytale. The story is like something from a dream. The characters are all sugary but lovely, especially the kids and grandpa.

A strong follow up to the original movie.

[Shopaholic35 · 7/10 · 16 June 2015]

I didn't love this sequel as much as the first Good Witch movie but it was still very good. Cassie has to deal with a new challenge that threatens her ownership of Grey House. It still has plenty of intrigue and charm which is nice but I didn't like the antagonist. He was a bit too conceded and selfish for my liking.

The relationship between Jake and Cassie continues to blossom and it develops into quite the little love match. Cue awe moment. Overall this film series is sweet and lovely to watch. It has a lot of heart and very strong life values and morales. After watching it you can't help but want to be a better and more intuitive person.

Interesting follow-up to the first "Good Witch" movie.

[TxMike · 14 February 2009]

In the initial offering we learned that this mysterious, happy, calm lady is in town to fix up and live in the Grey House, which had fallen into disrepair. This movie is a continuation of that story, with a bit more focus on the "garden." But that is not the root of the mystery.

Pretty Catherine Bell is back as Cassandra Nightingale. Her house is all fixed up and her garden is brimming with all kinds of different plants. She has made lots of friends in the small town, but has also decided to take in guests to help meet expenses. Run a sort of Bed and Breakfast service.

Also back is Chris Potter as town Sheriff Jake Russell. In the first movie they started to develop a romantic interest in each other, and that continues in this movie.

The significant event is the new stranger in town who takes a room at the Grey House then starts to get nosy. He goes into the public records to find out such things as how much taxes Cassandra pays, and we see him sneaking in the house to examine things that are locked up. Sheriff Russell is suspicious and doesn't trust him.

While this one didn't hold my interest as well as the initial one did, mainly because the newness had gone, it is an entertaining movie, especially for Catherine Bell.

SPOILERS: The stranger eventually gives legal papers to the Sheriff to have Cassandra evicted from Grey House because he claims to be the real descendant of the real owner, a sea captain that the Grey Lady had been tied to. But he was eventually exposed as a fraud and locked up. Cassandra and Jake get engaged.

"People have a way of showing you who they really are if you just give them time."

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 30 October 2014]

Nice sequel to The Good Witch has beautiful and mysterious Cassie (Catherine Bell) dealing with a stranger out to steal her home. How she handles this causes some conflict with police chief boyfriend Jake (Chris Potter). But don't worry things will be fine between them by the end. More than fine, actually, but I don't want to give away spoilers. In addition to the house thief drama, Cassie also finds time to help the people in her life with their problems. Most notably she helps Grandpa George find love. That's what makes the character of Cassie so enjoyable. It's fun watching her set people on a certain path and seeing events unfold the way she wants. Her seemingly effortless way of resolving problems is my favorite part of the Good Witch movies. As with the first movie, it's a nicely-paced little charmer with a very likable cast.

I Never Promised You A Good Witch's Garden ***

[edwagreen · 7/10 · 13 July 2010]

Not bad film where a woman living in a place of history is about to lose it to someone who goes around the state producing false deeds to drive out people from their property. This gentleman then goes on to sell the property to developers.

Catherine Bell is absolutely delightful as our Good Witch. Billie Burke, of The Wizard of Oz, take heart: There are still some good witches left after all these years.

Catherine loves the widowed police chief and also thwarts 2 youngsters from doing something bad on Centennial night. They had tried to force the chief's son to go along with this dangerous prank.

TGW Garden was awesome!!

[Kmmal12 · 10/10 · 21 February 2009]

Catherine Bell struck gold again in this adorable and very sweet sequel. Her character, Cassie is like no other we see on TV today. She tries to find the good in people and doesn't give up, yet sometimes the good doesn't always want to come out. Catherine and Chris Potter's chemistry is so much to watch. The kids were sweet and I thought did a better job acting in this one. But what I loved about the whole story was its messages it sends. This movie series has the potential of running very successfully and with Catherine Bell as their lead, Hallmark cant go wrong with the series. If you have not seen it yet, see it!

Absolutely love The Good Witch's Garden...

[oscary222 · 10/10 · 11 February 2009]

I really enjoyed The Good Witch's Garden! Catherine Bell was wonderful as usual and truly enjoyable in the role of Cassie Nightengale. I loved how they showed the progression of Cassie and Jake's relationship and how he proposed at the end. Catherine and Chris have great chemistry together and would love to see another sequel entitled The Good Witch's Wedding.

I loved how they showed that a persons true nature comes out after time and that definitely was evident with the nasty character of Nick Chasen. Nick was a bad man and he'd been doing this same type of crime all over and was finally caught and now he can go to prison for years to come...LOL. He got what he deserved and a person whose true nature is bad, can't be magically fixed. That's not what Cassie does. Like Cassie said, "she gave him the rope and he was the one who tied himself up in knots. This storyline with Nick turned out exactly as it should have, with Nick paying the price. You couldn't have had it turn out any other way, him being magically fixed would have been ridiculous.

So to all involved with this project "a big kudos". I would definitely love to see another sequel with Catherine, Chris, Peter, the two young kids and some new and fun characters with a wedding storyline and something fun and interesting going on as well for Cassie. Great Job Everyone!

I loved the movie!

[BogerBsquared · 10/10 · 2 November 2009]

I love to watch horror movies on Halloween, but when I tuned in to "Good Witch", I was hooked for the next 3 hours. It was a pleasant change from my usual viewing. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery without the violence. The story line was wonderful how a mysterious, unknown and unwelcome lady on her own made her mark on the community by helping the townspeople with their problems and was ultimately accepted. And, for me, the character of Cassie Nightingale could not have been cast any better than with Catherine Bell. She is arguably one of the most beautiful women on television. Watching her and Jake and Jake's children grow ever closer as the tale unfolded left me with a good "family value" feeling. Thank you, and I hope to be seeing more of the "Good Witch" in future Hallmark presentations.

Bob

Ring that Bell

[ctomvelu1 · 5/10 · 29 August 2010]

While there is more going on in this sequel to the 2008 Hallmark TV movie -- Grey House is now a B&B, a stranger arrives claiming to be the rightful heir to Grey House, Gramps finds romance though his gardening, -- this goes to prove why sequels are often unnecessary. And that they often tend to be inferior to the originals. Catherine Bell's mysterious character from the first movie is no longer mysterious. The mayor's wife, plumper and louder than ever, is still up to no good. And Grandpa's burgeoning romance is a cliché-ridden embarrassment. The sheriff's two kids are a little older, which gives the actors playing them a bit more to do here. Still, this plays out like a weak GHOST WHISPERER episode. Catherine Bell is still a hottie, though. For Bell fans only.

"Growing" into a great series!

[ginasharp · 10/10 · 1 September 2020]

Movie 2 of 11. I just love this series. It has the essence of magic and a touch of mystery. It is a cozy mystery book on the screen! The Grey House is beautiful - I want to live there and Cassie's shop is down right enchanting. This is a town I would love to live in other than Hogwart's! haha

I was looking for magic witch movie

[llpslovell · 9/10 · 20 May 2019]

I was looking for the magic of witch movie but end up being caught by how great and decent character of Cassie, I love how the family stories telling are. I like the way the relationship is building. It even inspire me to have such a cozy and great Gray-house or bell book and candle shop. Remembering one EP mentioned about Thai herb, I'm a bit surprised. Note to you that I'm the Netflix watcher from Bangkok. A little thing to mention is their acting is a bit over the top to me but I love Martha so so much, she is annoying but in the cute way I can't stop missing her for every EP. Also I love George even he has a little role to play. I like their small town which you shall organize the meet up at gray house ;)

Amazing

[sherief-16314 · 10/10 · 2 October 2019]

Amazing ,I love every thing ,It puts me in a good mood

The Good Witch's Garden storyline

[marsnook2007 · 10/10 · 10 February 2009]

I saw the original and this one was just showing the chemistry between Cassie and Jake. When Nick Chasen came into town Jake did feel threaten by him. It should have shown some connection between Cassie and Nick. Yes, he was there to do no good, but if she can find good in everyone else than she could have found the good in Nick and changed his mind of what he was planning to do.

When it showed him on his cell phone, he was probably talking with the guy who thought up this whole plan of taking Cassie's house. Granted Nick is not innocent of the crime, but like I said Cassie could have turned him around and he could have also settled in Middleton.

On the whole I thought Catherine Bell and Rob Stewart did a great job in this movie, but Chris Potter didn't seem as good as the first. I hope to see more Good Witch sequels and also more of the cast and Rob Stewart also.

Not quite as good as its predecessor

[HallmarkMovieBuff · 9 February 2009]

Perhaps I'm already jaded with respect to this material, but this follow-up to last year's "The Good Witch" didn't seem quite as good as its predecessor.

With essentially the same cast as before, except for the loss of some minor characters tied to the original plot, and the addition of two notable characters, one transient and one hopefully permanent (if further sequels are planned), this second in the series finds "good witch" Cassie Nightingale (Catherine Bell) now living in the house of her ancestor, "The Gray Lady," dating the sheriff (Chris Potter), and growing her garden, both to supply her herb shop and to host the town's 200th anniversary garden party.

Both films play on the "stranger in town" theme. In the first, it was Cassie; in this sequel it's a man (Rob Stewart) claiming to be a distant relative of Cassie's, and making friends with everybody in town while surreptitiously intending to do her wrong.

Meanwhile, Cassie continues to see the best in people, and helps them with their problems using "everyday magic," usually by giving them some object or spice which somehow helps them to find a solution or to come to some personal awareness.

On the negative side, the whole proceeding here seems a bit more casual than in the first film. The plot is again trite but comfortable, but the script seems less taut, and the two leads...I don't want to say that they walk through their parts, but their play seems loose compared to the first installment.

As noted earlier, Cassie and sheriff Jake are now dating, and this being a family film, there are a dozen or so chaste kisses between them, like ones you'd give your grandma. Several of these kisses come at the beginning, giving the film a seemingly slow start.

Some particularly bright spots in the script are close to a half dozen word plays which can be appreciated by lovers of language. If you watch this film, I encourage you to listen for them.

Best of all, Grandpa finds love (or at least companionship)! A subplot involving the hopefully permanent addition to the cast that I mentioned earlier, and one of the bits of everyday magic that Cassie performs, this time in the form of matchmaking, is to hook George (Peter MacNeill) up with the local nursery lady (Elizabeth Lennie).

Although more than one plot point arose from the very intriguing title, perhaps the most disappointing part for me was that more was not made of it, more of the garden's magical properties, if you will. As I think back, however, it was probably just the right amount of magic for vegetation.

Despite any shortcomings real or perceived, this movie nevertheless manages to display some fireworks for those who stick with it!