Christmas Keepsake (2023 TV Movie) User Reviews

Another good one from GAC Family.

[allmoviesfan · 7/10 · 20 November 2023]

Another quality film from GAC Family, ironically starring Australia's Daniel Lissing - actually using his Aussie accent for a change, just like he's in 'Crownies', or something! - who was once something approaching a Hallmark poster boy for his role on When Calls the Heart.

In Christmas Keepsake he plays Tom, an Australian (not much prep work needed there!) who moves to a wintry small town in America with his daughter, Grace (played by Ellie Stewart, also an Australian).

When Grace finds a time capsule buried in their backyard, it connects them with Elizabeth (Jillian Murray, not an Australian!), who is grieving a loss just as Tom is.

If you've seen only even one of these movies, you probably don't need me to tell you what happens eventually...

This was a pleasant film about second chances and new Christmas beginnings.

Liked it but too many discrepencies

[jenrn-09722 · 5/10 · 2 December 2023]

I loved that Daniel Lissing used his actual accent in this one. There was so may things wrong with this - silly little things with continuity and plot holes. First, the grass is obviously fake in the yard (it looks like green Easter basket grass), and the "time capsule" was sitting on the surface - there was no digging involved. There is no way the previous owner didn't notice a metal can on the ground next to the patio. Second, the first stop at the bakery for hot chocolate- that ran out out hot chocolate. No place does that. If it's so great, they'd make sure they have it at Christmas time. And if they make their own -they'd go to the grocery store and get more ingredients. Made no sense - other than the excuse for the two leads to get together again. The writing was juvenile. When Tom and Elizabeth interact the first time she says" you're not from around here, are you"? Corny. Then says its not because of his Australian accent but because it's a small town. What?!?

Tom trying to put together a Christmas fair for his daughter, Grace, was a ridiculous plotline. A good amount of movie time was spent on it (phone calls and arrangements) only for it to fail - and the daughter didn't really seem to care, and never mentioned again. It just seemed strange that Tom fixated on it and then Grace barely reacted when he told her he couldn't make it happen. It felt like a blatant time filler. I didn't feel much chemistry with Tom and Elizabeth - and the way the mother kept pushing Elizabeth at Tom right from the start just felt uncomfortable when they barely know him. It was meant to be a feel-good movie and it was - where the daughter was concerned. I like the Hallmark things Daniel Lissing has been in, and this was decent. I would have preferred that Elizabeth act like she was a little more interested in Tom once she got to know him, as she seemed a bit distant until almost the very end. It had a great father-daughter relationship, though, so made it a decent holiday movie.

Great Actors

[Vcrmcneill · 6/10 · 19 November 2023]

The actors and actresses were great. Love Daniel Lissing. The girl that played his daughter was awesome. The chemistry between the two leads were great. The actual plot was good, somewhat. The widower moving with his daughter to start new. Very believable, but what kind of job did he have that afforded him to be able to up and move and attempt a Christmas Fair in his back yard. Wouldn't that be an obvious question when getting to know someone new? " What do you do?'. The actress playing the lead was great, but her storyline was awful. Her father died when she was young, so why after so many years, was she expected to give the speech? Why was she having a harder time than her mother. Nothing about her situation warranted her behavior. That's on the writers or who ever was in charge. This could have been a 10 otherwise.

Aussies in America

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 13 December 2023]

7.2 stars.

An Aussie man and his daughter move to the USA and meet a woman and her mother. The two families grow very close, the man and woman fall in love. The end.

So with the whole narrative summarized above, which is literally 99% of Christmas romance stories (minus the Aussies), I still enjoyed the film. In the case of 'Christmas Keepsake' the best part is probably the tension and chemistry between the leads. She is a hurting individual who never recovered from her father's death, which I believe was like 20 years ago. I don't know if that sort of lingering for decades sort of pain is realistic to be honest, but whatever. He has no problems with love, he's just an Australian guy trying to navigate a new life in America.

Great American Catching Up

[PeterMovie61 · 13 November 2023]

Great American seems to, thus far, passed the Hallmark Channel on new movies for 2023. They've improved the story lines and are employing better or more seasoned supporting cast. Wholesome entertainment with happy endings; a welcome respite from world news. This is a nice story with solid acting and ultimately, redemption. A dutiful daughter who still hurts though many years have passed. A new stranger welcomed to a new homeland, in time for Christmas. His daughter in need of family...the set up for a blessed Christmas. Nice scenery and an abundance of Christmas cookies makes for good viewing.

Much better

[mbiv777 · 7/10 · 12 November 2023]

Christmas Keepsake is a low-key romance about an Australian widower who relocates along with his preteen daughter to America, where the discovery of a time capsule buried in their back yard leads to new relationships and new traditions.

The acting is much better than some of the GAC movies out there. Old pro Daniel Lissing is excellent as always, although it's a bit of an adjustment hearing him speak in his natural Australian voice. I can't wait for all the reviews saying how bad his Aussie accent is.

Jillian Murray is one of the GAC stable who was brought back this year, and rightfully so. She is improving, as I'm sure many others will too.

The daughter did a fine job as well.

The movie itself was just ok. To be honest, I didn't feel like there was a relationship developing, in spite of the mother's blatant attempts at matchmaking.

Still in all, definitely a step in the right direction.

No Energy

[Pvrspecialist · 4/10 · 19 November 2023]

I always hope the next movie with Danial Lissing would portray him as well as his strong role as Jack in WCTH. This one does not do it. Albeit.it was enjoyable to have him speaking with his natural accent. From the start of the movie there was an attempt to have an attraction between Tom and Elisabeth but it came out to be rather forced. It progressed in a ho-hum pace obstensively because the poor girl did not want to be vulnerable. It dragged along tooooo long. She didn't even try to snap out of it, at least to have shown a little spine along the way rather than poof at the end she sees the light. The young girl, Grace, actually acted the age she looked. Kudos on that, usually they say the child is 10 and they look 15, Noted it was supported by Australian movie guild. Nice to see the international aspect. Hoping Lissing's next movie gives him a more substantive character role.

Great storyline

[nsvpnsz · 10/10 · 15 November 2023]

Loved the storyline and the chemistry between the actors were great. Daniel Lissing never disappoints and I really liked him with Jillian in Christmas Keepsake. I really enjoyed hearing his homeland accent although I did have to listen carefully because I don't hear it often. I loved it. The actress who played his daughter did a terrific job as well. She and Daniel seemed to have a great working connection. They were fun to watch. The story was light but yet emotional with the hearts dealing with the loss of loved ones and moving forward. Most of us can relate to this especially at Christmas time.

One of the best GAC movies I've seen.

Barely Made it Through

[danimalnelson · 3/10 · 19 November 2023]

Christmas Keepsake is a romantic Christmas movie about an Australian father who lost his wife. He relocates to the United States with his daughter to try and give her a wonderful American Christmas. His daughter finds a time capsule buried in their backyard. The time capsule leads to new relationships and new traditions. Sounds great...but unfortunately does not deliver.

I had a very hard time making it through this movie. I am a huge fan of Christmas movies, however, this one did not resonate with me or my wife. I gave it three stars and my wife said it was a two star movie.

We could not put a finger on why we did not like this movie. It just seemed to be missing something. It felt rushed and just thrown together. The actors were likable and did a good job acting. As I mentioned before it was just missing something.

Captivated in the First Five Minutes!!

[skillfulcota · 10/10 · 12 November 2023]

I was captivated in the first 5 minutes of Christmas Keepsake by the love of a father for his daughter. Daniel and Ellie do a remarkable job that makes one think they are a real father and daughter combo. I think that is what makes this movie so special, the genuineness of all the cast to make the main story and the side stories come to life. Jillian is fabulous also as is the woman who plays her mom. I love the way Christ is honored in this movie as well, not only on Christmas Eve, but also instead of the tree lighting being the focus, the Nativity Scene reveal draws the town together--priceless! The multiple lessons throughout the movie are also extremely well inter-weaved. I rated it 1000+ Just such a wonderful movie!! Hollywood needs more of these kind of uplifting and genuine Christmas movies. Expecting critics to complain and whine about this amazing movie. Whatever the critics whine about, watch the movie anyway. It will uplift your emotions and encourage you!