I must admit, it took me some time to get into this one, but if you can get past the first 30 minutes or so, it turns out to be a pretty good Christmas movie. Leaving the shortcomings aside, 'Angel Falls Christmas' is a heart-warming story with some noble and decent underlining messages about love and relationships, the work vs. Life balance, and about having confidence and believing in yourself. The story follows Ally (played by Jessica Lowndes), an ER doctor who loves her work but is struggling with findings a balance in her daily life, especially, finding time for her love life. The result is a heartbreaking break-up with Josh (played by David Reale) shortly before Christmas. Consequently, her Christmas is not looking very festive this year until she meets Gabe (played by Chad Michael Murray), an angel posing as a barista who helps Ally through this difficult time and regain the Christmas spirit she once had years ago (before the loss of her parents). And so, our story begins as we watch these two grow closer as they check off all the activities on Ally's Christmas list. As others have already pointed out, the story here is similar to the 2017 Hallmark movie, 'Christmas in Angel Falls'. The concepts are similar, but the outcomes are different. If I had to choose between the two, the Hallmark one is (marginally) better, both in terms of the writing and acting. Anyway, the strength of this story, I felt, is the dialogue between Ally and Gabe, the heart-to-heart scenes they have together. The dialogue here is warm and touching with some decent underlining messages to boot. One of the issues I have with the script is the dual romance storyline for Ally: Gabe and Ally vs. Josh and Ally. The first is unsatisfying. The writers could have done a better job of setting this up via Gabe's character. For example, a backstory would have been nice. I thought the acting, overall, was pretty good. Now I agree, Murray had a 'stiff' performance (as other reviewers point out) for roughly the first 30 minutes of the film. This, I believe, is intentional. I think he is trying to portray an angel not accustomed to human emotions, hence the stiffness in his acting, especially early on in the story. Murray's manner, expressions, and dialogue do begin to change as we watch him fall for Ally (experience emotions) as the story progresses. And this is what I think he is going for in the film. Did it work? Well, it did for me, but as you can see in other reviews, it did not for others. That said, the scenes where he teaches Ally life lessons or is encouraging her are quite lovely to watch on-screen. He does a brilliant job of portraying Gabe's passion and feelings for Ally, portraying a sense of sincerity, a sense of caring for Ally that is convincing. Lowndes is at her best in these moments as well. Indeed, in these scenes, the chemistry between them is great. The scene where Lowndes and he sing/play Noelle is one. Their final scene together is another. Lovely scenes to watch. The supporting cast is strong. Samora Smallwood (as Ally's best friend Dawn), Reale (as Josh), and Jane Luk (as Maureen, the other Angel in this one) all have excellent performances. Finally, the movie has plenty of Christmas spirit and festive cheer from baking cookies and decorating a tree to some gorgeous (Christmassy) decorations and scenery throughout. All in all, 'Angel Falls Christmas' is a pretty good Christmas movie. Not one of the best, nor one of the worse this season. If you can manage to get past the first 30 minutes or so, you're likely to enjoy the rest.
41 Reviews
Not angelic but doesn't fall
TheLittleSongbird18 March 2023
Expectations actually weren't very high watching 'Angel Falls Christmas'. While liking Chad Michael Murray elsewhere and feeling that he has come on a long way and liking quite a number of 2021's Christmas output, Jessica Lowndes (with a small group of exceptions) has always been one of my least favourite Hallmark actresses due to finding her screen presence very flat and wooden in most of her films. The premise was one that could have gone either way of sincere and sweet or weird and awkward.
'Angel Falls Christmas' for me was very half and half. It really does start off very rough and it has to be admitted that part of me did consider quitting, but didn't in order to be kind and having seen plenty of films where the film starts off badly but gets better. And luckily 'Angel Falls Christmas' is one of those. It is never a great film and could have done a lot more with its premise, but there are a lot of good things, the good intentions were noble and one aspect really surprised me in a good way. Not one of GAC's best thus far, but also not one of the worst.
There are plenty of good things as said about 'Angel Falls Christmas'. It looks lovely, especially the scenery which really does have a festive magic about it. Without being gaudy or drab. There has in Christmas films from Hallmark, Lifetime, UPTV etc been a real tendency to be over-scored and have music that drowns out the dialogue and is used too much, while nothing exceptional the music was pleasantly festive enough and has some nice nostalgia.
Once the film does get better, the dialogue flows well and has real honesty and maturity, while not being too overly serious. The story is well meaning and has real charm and touching emotion without being too sentimental. Was touched by the ending, even if the outcome was never in any real doubt. The messaging is sincere and isn't laid on too thick. Was very surprised by Lowndes, whose performance has a lot more range than usual and displays a charming personality that doesn't come over as flat and she is a lot more natural than usual. The supporting cast are solid.
Like others, this reviewer did find Murray very unconvincing, he just comes over as very robotic and unintentionally sinister. And this is one of the main reasons as to why the first act was not just very rough but very difficult to sit through. Thought the first act also suffers from a lot of very stilted dialogue, very stiff, static character interaction that would even feel out of date in a silent film, a very weird vibe, uneventful pacing and that the characters weren't interesting yet.
Did find the pacing too often too over deliberate and over-stretched, with the film needing more content for a gentle approach to the material to work. The Gabriel and Ally chemistry is too underdeveloped and phoned in, which stopped me from fully connecting with the premise.
Concluding, a lot to like but could have been more. 6/10.
'Angel Falls Christmas' for me was very half and half. It really does start off very rough and it has to be admitted that part of me did consider quitting, but didn't in order to be kind and having seen plenty of films where the film starts off badly but gets better. And luckily 'Angel Falls Christmas' is one of those. It is never a great film and could have done a lot more with its premise, but there are a lot of good things, the good intentions were noble and one aspect really surprised me in a good way. Not one of GAC's best thus far, but also not one of the worst.
There are plenty of good things as said about 'Angel Falls Christmas'. It looks lovely, especially the scenery which really does have a festive magic about it. Without being gaudy or drab. There has in Christmas films from Hallmark, Lifetime, UPTV etc been a real tendency to be over-scored and have music that drowns out the dialogue and is used too much, while nothing exceptional the music was pleasantly festive enough and has some nice nostalgia.
Once the film does get better, the dialogue flows well and has real honesty and maturity, while not being too overly serious. The story is well meaning and has real charm and touching emotion without being too sentimental. Was touched by the ending, even if the outcome was never in any real doubt. The messaging is sincere and isn't laid on too thick. Was very surprised by Lowndes, whose performance has a lot more range than usual and displays a charming personality that doesn't come over as flat and she is a lot more natural than usual. The supporting cast are solid.
Like others, this reviewer did find Murray very unconvincing, he just comes over as very robotic and unintentionally sinister. And this is one of the main reasons as to why the first act was not just very rough but very difficult to sit through. Thought the first act also suffers from a lot of very stilted dialogue, very stiff, static character interaction that would even feel out of date in a silent film, a very weird vibe, uneventful pacing and that the characters weren't interesting yet.
Did find the pacing too often too over deliberate and over-stretched, with the film needing more content for a gentle approach to the material to work. The Gabriel and Ally chemistry is too underdeveloped and phoned in, which stopped me from fully connecting with the premise.
Concluding, a lot to like but could have been more. 6/10.
Angel Fails Christmas
helmahvg26 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I thought it was refreshing that for once the main character didn't fall in love with someone she just met and actually went back to the guy she broke up with in the beginning who was a great guy. But for the rest of the movie I basically begged Chad Michael Murray to just talk normally and not in this creepy voice. I really enjoy him as an actor and he plays (in what I've seen) his characters well, so I was sad to see him play in this movie. I also just think this whole story was a missmatch.
I didn't enjoy how the main angel just kept popping up everywhere. Normally I don't mind it, but this was just creepy.
I didn't enjoy how the main angel just kept popping up everywhere. Normally I don't mind it, but this was just creepy.
It's a weird one - not the best of the year.
novagirl1129 December 2021
Skip this one
nmn79428 November 2021
I'm not sure what happened but CMM's character was very weird. I normally enjoy his acting in movies but this was down right creepy/weird in my opinion. I did not finish watching this movie after the 45 minute mark when CMM was speaking to JL's neighbor and he leaned right into face....just weird.
I'll wait to see other reviews to determine if it possibly worth actually watching.
I'll wait to see other reviews to determine if it possibly worth actually watching.
Schlock It Away
SaintFu9 December 2022
After exhibiting zero chemistry in Too Close for Christmas a year prior, someone decided it'd be a good idea to pair these two again. Somehow, they have even less, perhaps because Chad Michael Murray decided the best way to portray an angel was to act like a weird robot (spoiler alert, there are Roombas with more charisma/personality than this portrayal).
This movie slogs through the standard tropes (though there was no stock footage of New York!). There's a weird City of Angels rip off shoehorned into the middle with zero effect or impact. This isn't worth the time unless you enjoy poking fun at them while they go.
This movie slogs through the standard tropes (though there was no stock footage of New York!). There's a weird City of Angels rip off shoehorned into the middle with zero effect or impact. This isn't worth the time unless you enjoy poking fun at them while they go.
A surprisingly good Christmas Movie that didn't feel predictable
lisafordeay5 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Angel Falls Christmas is a 2021 festive made for tv romantic comedy drama starring Jessica Lowndes,Chad Micheal Murray(One Tree Hill,A Cinderella Story) and David Reale. The story is about a young woman named Ally(Lowndes) who is a workaholic doctor that never gets a day off work due to her commitments with her job. This causes problems as her boyfriend of 3 years Josh(Reale)wants to take his relationship with her to the next level but she isn't ready. All that changes when a mysterious man named Gabe(Murray) enters Ally's life and he helps her complete a christmas list that she created. But is Gabe too good to be true?. Could he be an angel that's in love with Ally?. Overall I actually liked this film. I figured that it would be another generic rom com but to my surprise it took a different turn altogether at the end of the film's climax.
Check it out on Netflix.
Check it out on Netflix.
Stiff as a sugar cane!
intodarkandi2 December 2022
By all means I don't have big expectations for Christmas movies. I like them cheesy, or chaotic, adventurous...all fine! What I absolutely DON'T like however when they talk like non humans and more like an e-book with automatic reading function. I switched between english and german and both sound equally terrible for no apparent reason. Even having well known actors in it can't compensate for that kind of production. So if you're looking for a nice family christmas evening I do NOT recommend this one. It's unable to overhear that weird pausing mid-sentence. Other than that Merry Christmas to every reader!
I liked it. It's a take on The Bishop's/Preacher's Wife
CranberriAppl28 December 2022
This is like CMM and JL's third movie, so I'm guessing they enjoy working together. They have good chemistry. To be honest, more chemistry than Jessica and the Josh character, although to be fair, Loretta Young had great chemistry with Cary Grant (and I adore David Niven). The plot is pretty simple and easy to follow. I like the story. Too many, in particular Lifetime and Hallmark, movies overly complicate the plot. Not every movie has to have a "Save the XXX" or "Down with the Big Bad Corp" message. (Yes yes, I know the plots of The Bishop's Wife and The Preacher's Wife). It's nice to have a movie about love and family. I'm in my 30s and have been loving Christmas movies all my life. As I get older and see the same stories over and over, I'm finding myself enjoying movies that don't always have a meet cute. Movies about rediscovery are becoming my favorites. I enjoy Cranberry Christmas and the latest Mrs. Miracle movie (from 2021) for this reason.
Since I recognized it as an adaptation, I wasn't let down or disappointed by the ending... the story was moving logically towards the conclusion we saw. I like that the movie was about all three leading characters and that Josh wasn't just a prop. I liked that he got his life sorted as well even beyond his relationship.
It's a post-C19/right-after-it movie, and that is evident in how sparse and spread out everything is, but I didn't find it distracting.
It's worth a watch. I've watched it maybe three times btwn 2021 and 2022.
Since I recognized it as an adaptation, I wasn't let down or disappointed by the ending... the story was moving logically towards the conclusion we saw. I like that the movie was about all three leading characters and that Josh wasn't just a prop. I liked that he got his life sorted as well even beyond his relationship.
It's a post-C19/right-after-it movie, and that is evident in how sparse and spread out everything is, but I didn't find it distracting.
It's worth a watch. I've watched it maybe three times btwn 2021 and 2022.
Just OK
toncincin2 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Chad Michael Murray's squinting face ... through the whole movie. Come on CMM ... you're better than that. Not a fan of Jessica Lowndes. I don't think I've seen her in anything where she's believable! She still gets casted - so someone must like her. She dies have a lovely singing voice...there's that.
The Angel Falls story has been done before: Rachel Boston played the angel; Beau Bridges played the angel adviser. It was called "Christmas in Angel Falls." The outcome was different - the angel decided to become human...but still! Obviously the people making movies don't think we watch other movies - much less than one that came out FOUR years ago. Could they cone up with anything original?
This movies was just OK. Nothing special.
The Angel Falls story has been done before: Rachel Boston played the angel; Beau Bridges played the angel adviser. It was called "Christmas in Angel Falls." The outcome was different - the angel decided to become human...but still! Obviously the people making movies don't think we watch other movies - much less than one that came out FOUR years ago. Could they cone up with anything original?
This movies was just OK. Nothing special.
Terrible storyline and acting
achoeksema-4130612 December 2022
Why are most Christmas movies so terrible? I tried the one with Freddy Prinze Junior before this one and couldn't get past the first 15 minutes.
The director seemed to have tried to take all of the humanity out of the actors and make them look robotic, smiley and "perfect". As if an ER doctor would walk around with her hair freshly blown out and a ton of make up on every day.
Avoid.
- CMM overarticulates all of his lines
- the main actress looks like a porn star in winter clothes
- the storyline is super predictable and flat.
- no interesting dialogue.
- over use of stereotypes and tropes.
The director seemed to have tried to take all of the humanity out of the actors and make them look robotic, smiley and "perfect". As if an ER doctor would walk around with her hair freshly blown out and a ton of make up on every day.
Avoid.
A magical, indeed angelic rom-com!
maxciani28 February 2023
I am amazed by the many negative reviews of this beautiful romantic comedy. Chad Michael Murray plays the role of an angel in the best possible way, and awesome Jessica Lowndes is excellent both as an actress and a singer. The movie's only flaw is, if anything, the theological distortion of the role of the angels. The Bible doesn't explain anything about these good, mysterious creatures, except that they are pure spirits: it is, therefore, a priori excluded that they can fall in love with human beings, as happens in the movie instead. In the Book of Tobit, aka Book of Tobias, which Luther eliminated from the Bible, the Archangel Raphael introduces young Tobias to Sarah, to whom the wicked demon Asmodeus had killed seven husbands on their wedding night. After her marriage with Tobias, Raphael magically frees Sarah from the perfidious Asmodeus, and the two young people spend their wedding night unharmed and tranquil. Based on this story, Raphael is considered the patron saint of happy meetings, marriages, and lovers. If you type "Raphael the Archangel" on Google, you will find various prayers addressed to him (or to her? As pure spirits, angels do not seem to have a gender, although no angel ever appears in Scripture dressed as a female). But returning to the movie, I find it delightful, and recommend it to everyone.
I didn't hate it- was more realistic than I wanted
almostrberts26 December 2022
I enjoyed this movie. I had to remind myself that with angel characters, I had to think realistically even though I wanted good things for Chad Michael Murray's character. I am a big fan of seeing something we may take for granted through the eyes of someone else- whether it be a child, an Elf, or in this case an angel. Stories like that bring me joy. I found the "stiffness" from Chad to be justifiable; sure, he found joy in so many Christmas things, one might say human things, and humans found him delightful and by no means a fish out of water, but I can't expect an angel to sound exactly like a human in their speech pattern. I'm not upset with the ratings of others, but I am sorry they didn't find as much joy.
W T Falls
SuperVillainTX3 December 2022
I agree with other reviewers about this being kinda creepy and weird and that's from the actors playing the angels. Chad Michael Murray is enjoyable in most movies but yes, he was doing something weird with his voice. At first, I thought he was trying to fake a British accent, then I realized he was trying to articulate wise and angelic (if that's possible and apparently it isn't). The actor in Mr. Miracle that portrayed an angel in a similar story pulled it off better, or the actor that portrayed the nutcracker come to life in A very Nutty Christmas was superb, unlike the two in this movie playing angels. They didn't seem wise or inspiring but rather condescending. And the lines of wisdom were like fortune cookie sayings.
A little flat
mbiv77718 November 2022
I was moving last year, so I didn't really have a Christmas. I didn't even hear about the great GAC migration til last Summer. I'm still catching up.
This Angel Falls movie is probably not one that will become a favorite for most people.
Jessica Lowndes delivers a fine workaholic doctor rediscovering the magic of the season, and even singing a Christmas song.
But the director turning Chad Michael Murray, arguably the most naturally charming actors on the planet, into a creepy robot angel was off-putting to say the least.
There just wasn't enough spark in these characters to energize the plot, and the "couple" spending most of the movie in different scenes made the resolution no big deal There are some good reviews, so some folks like it. That's good.
But I deleted it already.
This Angel Falls movie is probably not one that will become a favorite for most people.
Jessica Lowndes delivers a fine workaholic doctor rediscovering the magic of the season, and even singing a Christmas song.
But the director turning Chad Michael Murray, arguably the most naturally charming actors on the planet, into a creepy robot angel was off-putting to say the least.
There just wasn't enough spark in these characters to energize the plot, and the "couple" spending most of the movie in different scenes made the resolution no big deal There are some good reviews, so some folks like it. That's good.
But I deleted it already.
I'm a big fan but this wasn't
hypzrkunt30 November 2021
Really like Jessica lowndes and Chad Nichael Murray but this movie just lacked everything. A shame because I rewatch her other movies. If I didn't favor the performers this might have been a 2.
I know making new Christmas movies is hard but f I had to guess this was no more than a 3-5 day film affair to get it done. What a shame as December bride is magical Christmas ornaments was excellent and re watchable this wasn't.
It's ashamed as I watched twice to make sure and second time was like pulling teeth. These two made another Christmas movie and it was great. This not so much.
I know making new Christmas movies is hard but f I had to guess this was no more than a 3-5 day film affair to get it done. What a shame as December bride is magical Christmas ornaments was excellent and re watchable this wasn't.
It's ashamed as I watched twice to make sure and second time was like pulling teeth. These two made another Christmas movie and it was great. This not so much.
Didn't bother finishing it
mjking-172007 December 2021
Got to about 20mins in and gave up. CMM is indeed creepy like the other reviewers mentioned and the storyline is blah. There are plenty of decent Hallmarky type Christmas movies out there...this isn't one of them. Skip it!
Enjoyed the film
sleigh-061876 December 2022
I enjoy every Christmas film regardless how cheesy and rubbish. The only thing I would say is, what the hell is Chad Michael Murray doing and why did the directors allow this? He is a fantastic actor and he was brilliant in one tree hill so why all of a sudden can't he act????? Proper let down for this film.
Other than that, I still enjoyed it. Like I say, I enjoy all cheesy rubbish Christmas films and this is one of them. Would still recommend it but not if you're a Chad Michael Murray fan. The lady is fantastic as always, watched her in 90210 and always thought she was a good actress. Enjoy.
Other than that, I still enjoyed it. Like I say, I enjoy all cheesy rubbish Christmas films and this is one of them. Would still recommend it but not if you're a Chad Michael Murray fan. The lady is fantastic as always, watched her in 90210 and always thought she was a good actress. Enjoy.
Angel Falls Flat
billysonbobby21 December 2021
Is Chad Michael Murray trying to be bad??
Joybaxta8 December 2022
It just seems like CMM is actually trying to be a bad actor. He is so stiff, robotic and his face is constantly squinting. I loved OTH and he was not that bad in that. Otherwise just your standard hallmark type Christmas film.
I have to write more to actually be able to post this review. So if you like Christmas films, try different ones.
We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Wow you have to write a lot to be able to type to be able to write a review.
I have to write more to actually be able to post this review. So if you like Christmas films, try different ones.
We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Wow you have to write a lot to be able to type to be able to write a review.
Charming Movie with a good message
jnh-123-7467862 December 2021
I'm puzzled by the negative reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and the message. Yes similar stories have been done but this was lovely and I'm hoping this is the first of a series. One of the top movies of this Christmas season to date. I guess we are all different but if you're wondering should you watch or not, I say go for it. Made me smile.
Please Avoid
manaika5 December 2022
Thought it will be one of those lovely pre-Christmas movies that you watch to get yourself in the Christmas spirit. I didn't get in to the mood and I wasted a little time on watching this to the end hoping that it will get better.
The story line idea wasn't that bad but could of been executed a lot better by the actors.
Chad or Chad... what happened?! His play was so forced, so fake, unnatural.. Pinokkio would of do it better and he was from the wood!! Do yourself a favour and avoid this movie. Unless you need something in the background while you clean the house, then turn it on volume down and enjoy.
The story line idea wasn't that bad but could of been executed a lot better by the actors.
Chad or Chad... what happened?! His play was so forced, so fake, unnatural.. Pinokkio would of do it better and he was from the wood!! Do yourself a favour and avoid this movie. Unless you need something in the background while you clean the house, then turn it on volume down and enjoy.
Not the best Christmas movie
crosemnnc6 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The story was ok, but the leads didn't have me finding any connection with each other. Chad Michael Murray was stiff. Jessica L. Didn't seem to have any real connection to either male leads. The female angel was the most believable of all the characters. Garnered 4 stars for being family friendly.
Another fairy tale holiday movie.
Avidviewer-0284725 December 2021
Chad Michael Murray gives a consistent performance in holiday and other Hallmark type movies. Jessica Lowndes.is beautiful, but isn't a good actress and it's not just this movie it's all of hers that I've seen. She'd do better playing a villain or witch in a movie, not a romantic lead.
I've seen this plot before, add in angels to change events and it all turns out right for the leads. Some people might like it but it's not for me.
I've seen this plot before, add in angels to change events and it all turns out right for the leads. Some people might like it but it's not for me.
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