The Spirit of Christmas (2015 TV Movie) User Reviews

A fine Christmas ghost story....until the ending.

[ryanpb-51787 · 6/10 · 11 November 2020]

Ugh...this movie surpassed my expectations until the conclusion. The acting was better than expected; the sets were interesting and appealing; the storyline was unique and intriguing; and the genre-bending was pitch perfect....and then the last 10 minutes happened.

Spoiler Alert: if the writer wanted to end the story as he/she did, there were at least two obvious ways to accomplish this: 1) Lily dies BEFORE Daniel (and preferably with her communicating to him her wish he find happiness again) OR 2) Lily turns out to be somehow partially responsible for Daniel's death which she truly regrets and "gifts" him the life that was stolen. If either of these elements is added, the ending works: Daniel chooses to be alive again (chalk it up to a Xmas miracle I suppose) and rides off into the sunset with Kate! As the story was actually presented, Daniel comes across like a selfish louse who apparently never really loved Lily as she obviously loved him. I know it's not my story, but how the writer was unable to see the way this ending plays to the audience baffles me! You cannot have your cake and eat it too (i.e. Daniel truly loved Lily and she loved him and they both died too soon, robbed of a happy life together...but he also truly loves Kate and should now be with her even though he clearly could choose to be with Lily....wtf?!?!)

Sorry, but as this story unfolded, the only appropriate ending would have been Daniel "teaching" the work-consumed, ununable-to-be-close-with-anyone Kate she is indeed capable of love; he reunites in the afterlife with his true love, Lily, finally free of the inn; and Kate has a future meet-cute with a promising beau; perhaps even played by the same actor (a previously unknown relative perhaps?)

Give this movie a chance.

[jessicakelley1023 · 7/10 · 22 November 2018]

Let's get one thing straight. I am not a sentimental woman. I simply watch Hallmark movies to laugh at how bad they are. So can you imagine my surprise when this film presented itself as--not only a Christmas romance--but a MURDER MYSTERY? Granted, there are still the usual trademark Hallmark parts: cheesy dialogue, emotional piano playing, flubbed lines that somehow made the final cut, etc. But if you give this movie a chance, you will not be 100% disappointed.

special

[Kirpianuscus · 27 December 2017]

If you look for a different Christmas theme film, by the mountains of Hallmark stories, this is an inspired choice. first - for the story who reminds old fashion mystery stories. second - for surprising performances. not the last - for the meaning of "spirit". sure, it is not original but the references to the known stories from a time when Christmas was not a piece from a brand represents one of magnificent virtues of this real special film who gives to classic ingredients of genre a delicate and powerfull ...flavour.

Enough to get into the Christmas spirit

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 21 January 2019]

Christmas has always been special to me and my favourite time of year. Main reasons being that it means lots of family time and reliving the nostalgia of singing and listening to carols, watching Christmas films and animations, playing festive games and opening presents. Will never tire of it and nothing will ever change that for the world.

Seing it as someone who wanted to see a different festive film other than the ones watched every year, 'The Spirit of Christmas' is never going to be among my favourites or one of the timeless festive films. It is not great, nor is it flawless. 'The Spirit of Christmas' is though a more than watchable film and avoids some, though not all, of the traps that other Christmas films have fallen into. It is a case of having appeal for some and others finding it a bit of a chore to sit through. For me despite its flaws, 'The Spirit of Christmas' is one of the better new Christmas films seen recently, but nowhere near close to ever.

As to be expected, the story is predictable and although the premise is a reasonably clever one there isn't really an original idea in sight. There are a lot of easily telegraphed scenes here. Some draggy pacing here and there too.

Quite a fair bit of the dialogue does make one cringe and like some festive films it is not without its cheesy moments, and when we say cheesy we are not talking a little sadly.

However, 'The Spirit of Christmas' is a decent looking film, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to, while the direction avoids being too routine. Didn't find myself irritated by the characters at least and wasn't bored.

Despite the predictability, 'The Spirit of Christmas' has its heart in the right place, a difficult to dislike atmosphere and has a nice message that is easily relatable and wasn't laid on too thick. There is definitely a festive spirit and there is plenty of warmth and charm here, with enough parts to warm and melt the heart. Never does it feel too juvenile or mean-spirited and the sentimentality generally doesn't become too much. The acting actually comes over very well, with two likeable leads and a supporting cast that show enthusiasm without over-doing it.

Overall, likeable and above average if nothing to be blown away by. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Fab Interesting Unique Story

[kgunner-967-105156 · 10/10 · 2 January 2016]

This is actually the 2nd review I am doing for Christmas movie because I felt them both to be unique & not the typical cookie cutter movie you tend to see this time of year. During the holiday season tons of Christmas movies come out. They are purposely made to be feel good movies They are great to have on while you are putting decorations up - making cookies or anything to assist with that magical time of year. Which is a great thing especially that time of year. However you can only watch X amount of very expected guidelines with predictable repetitive story endings. Sometimes regardless of it being the holidays you want some substance. This offers just that. It is a great storyline that you really have to follow. Don't get me wrong it is still a feel good movie but part of that feel good you get is from when you walk away thinking WOW - that really was a great well thought nurtured storyline with an interesting story told!!! That is just my opinion - I say well worth watching & deciding yourself!!!

Caught this on TV this morning. Enjoyed it

[lisafordeay · 6/10 · 25 October 2022]

The Spirit Of Christmas is a 2015 made for tv romance drama about a young workaholic named Kate(Jen Leilly)who travels to an old Inn where she meets a mysterious young man named Daniel (Thomas Beaudoin)and becomes instantly drawn to him. Problem is Daniel is actually a ghost that can only stay mortal for 2 weeks during the Christmas period. Will Kate and Daniel find a way to somehow get together despite the fact he died 95 years ago and she is still alive?.

Yes the premise sounds like something you have seen before (Last Christmas,A Timeless Christmas etc) but if you are into these kind of films than do give it a shot. Probably watch this again during this Xmas season.

Bad ending damn't

[claudiaconstance · 1/10 · 9 December 2018]

Am I the only one who hates this? I know it's a hallmark movie and then bootlegger ghost looks like a Portland hipster so I shouldn't expect an Oscar-worthy film here but (SPOILER ALERT STOP NOW IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT AND WANT TO FOR SOME REASON) the ending is absolutely insane. I don't care if you prefer modern emotionally unavailable brunette lawyer ladies over a conventional 1920's housewife. If hipster ghost was so damn in love with his woman and found out she had stood up for him, had a baby and BOTH had tragically died after the childbirth, just after he was MURDERED and she NAMED THE BABY AFTER HIM then wtf is he choosing the modern feminist over his one true love after all these damn years apart- ONE HUNDRED YEARS- only to reunite and dismiss her? Why would he do that?? He would not. This is not a harlequin romance at least it shouldn't be, it had all the elements of something good including a very good looking man. So this ending alone is why I give this otherwise mediocre but not bad movie starring a hot hipster ghost just one star.

Christmas mystery

[sammuncy · 8/10 · 23 December 2015]

This is a unique take on TV Christmas movies. I enjoy watching most TV Christmas movies but so many are pretty predictable kind of like they are out of a box and just fill in the blanks and have an unnaturalness in the acting. But this movie is different and has a great plot and very good acting and very good sets. I challenge anyone to find a Christmas TV movie like this one. Fun to watch and very different from the Christmas TV movie standard formula. During the whole movie I was interested and not sure of how things were going to turn out, which is something I like in a movie. The lead female was very good and very believable and just a natural for the part. And the lead male was equally as good and well suited to the part. And the supporting cast fit very well. I never once lost interest or was able to jump to the ending in my mind.

Modern,Tough, Incredulous Kate Falls in Love...with a Ghost

[hsolaf · 7/10 · 22 December 2015]

This Lifetime Christmas 2015 movie has everything, perhaps too much of everything: an attractive cast, love, romance, nostalgia, mystery, beautiful winter settings and a splendid, Victorian haunted house "Hollygrove Inn". It's the former home of the Forsythes,(not the same as in the "Forsythe Saga"), who have died without heirs. Ambitious,single and thoroughly modern attorney Kate (Jen Lilley)is sent from Boston to Vermont 12 days before Christmas to broker the sale of the inconveniently haunted mansion. She's promised a promotion if she can deal with the ghosts and the real estate before the year's end. Problems start to mount as soon as Kate gets there. The appraiser leaves in panic, his job undone, after having encountered a ghost. Plus, the innkeeper Warren (excellent actor Robert Walsh)is closing the Inn for the holidays.But spunky Kate tells him she will stay in spite of Warren's objections. Kate stays, meets the resident hunky ghost,impressive Daniel Forsythe (Thomas Beaudoin), who died by an unknown killer on Christmas Eve 95 years ago, as he approached "Hollygrove". The supernatural walks into our story right then in the unusual form of Daniel The Ghost, who likes to eat pancakes, imbibe drinks, and of course, likes women like Kate, in more than a spiritual way. At first, Kate and Daniel quarrel, but soon she succumbs to his manly ghost charms.

Kate's love is also fueled by her empathy with Daniel's very sad, errant ghost story. Daniel is doomed to return to the house every Christmas and not to resolve his other-worldly status until he can solve the mysteries of his life, love and his death. Eventually, Kate will help him to solve the puzzle of his inconclusive ghost existence. This TV movie looks expensive, its production values are high, as we travel back to Hollygrove 1919,in stylish flashbacks. We learn Daniel thinks his wife Lilly (Katy Salowsky) was unfaithful with his brother, whom she married and had a daughter with, after Daniel died. We also find out, with curious Kate's help,that not one, but two ghosts inhabit Hollygrove, and the other one is Daniel's mysterious killer. Is it his bro, his wife, or someone else? Stay tuned to the end and find out. Another suspense element in this very complicated story, is his wife Lilly's love for Daniel. Did she or did she not betray him with his bro? Another subplot to solve is the future of Hollygrove. How can Kate sell the property and have her favorite ghost be homeless? Who will buy Haunted Hollygrove with the murder curse and the unwelcome ghosts? Finally and most importantly, will Kate and Daniel find a way to join flesh and spirit,to bridge the chasm between life and death, and fulfill their love?

In many ways the unusual human-loves-ghost story gives origin to interesting, suspenseful and cute humorous situations. The lovely Hollygrove mansion and setting, plus the period flashbacks gives it romance and nostalgic texture. There's also several charming subplots like the romance between Molly(Joanna Herrington) a local pub owner, and Innkeeper Warren, who is also the ghost's best friend."The Spirit of Christmas" requires that we forsake our logic and stretch our imagination into the realm of the supernatural. But think of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol"or of some Nicholas Spark's romantic stories,like "Safe Haven". Think of so many Christmas films in which Santa, elves, or angels do magical mysterious favors for humans. Christmas is that time when we are most willing to suspend logic and believe in spirits, the promise of an afterlife, and all things magical.

The problem with "The Spirit of Christmas" is not that we can't accept its supernatural premises. It's that the crafted storyline doesn't work logically. At the end, the puzzle pieces don't fall neatly into place.Thus, it doesn't produce a fully pleasing feeling, a sense of artful satisfaction. It has too many loose ends and unexplained issues. I'll mention just one, not to produce important spoilers. How can Daniel be allowed to choose between staying on Earth or move to another life, once his curse is lifted? Analyze what the script says happened in 1919t; it's full of holes. The plot is too complicated and ambitious. Especially when it flashes back,the treatment of past events is shoddy, perfunctory and unreal. The film does much better when it covers the present, with more reality, wit, and humor. The cinematography is beautiful, with great winter landscapes and interiors. The acting is competent, especially by Ms. Lilley(Kate), Ms. Herrington (Molly), and Mr. Walsh (Warren). I also liked Mr. Beaudoin as Daniel whose impressive presence and light humorous touch seems just right for Daniel. That said, his lines fall flat in dialogue requiring more depth. "Spirit of Christmas"has many interesting parts, but the whole doesn't quite come together. Still,it's a film worth watching; but don't expect full satisfaction.

Good until the last five minutes... then beyond stupid.

[rachelaemmons · 1/10 · 20 November 2020]

My husband and I have been on a cheesy Christmas binge just for kicks and giggles and they are all usually goofy, predictable, and badly acted. This one had a different premise, a little mysterious and spooky at times, and the acting was mostly decent. I could tell I was enjoying more than the others because I didn't get bored or uncomfortable by cringiness and start looking at my phone. It was actually quite good, but then the ending happened and ruined everything. I get that the main character had never been in love and I want her to be happy, but this was just nonsensical. He had a fiancée and a baby that he had just found out about. She was the one that gave him the curse, or miracle, or whatever it was so that he could "learn" something. Okay, that part didn't make any sense, either, but it was because she had faith in him and loved him. And he loved her, too. But then, rather than let him move on and be with her and the child he never knew, she somehow has the power to give him a choice to stay on earth and be with another woman that he just met. It's honestly insulting. A far superior ending would have been for there to be some guy in the cleaning crew that came to the house at the end that looked exactly like Daniel to meet Miss main character (I just watched it and anger has driven her name from my mind) and say that he's always loved that house since it belonged to his great uncle or whatever and she smiles and the movie ends. If that had been the case, I might have given this 7 or 8 stars. Instead, I'm angrily giving it a 1 and shaking my fist and whoever's idea it was to ruin the movie with that nonsense.

Better than average and unique Christmas ghost story

[juneebuggy · 8/10 · 6 January 2016]

I really enjoyed this. It's well done as far as made-for-TV Christmas movies go, with a unique story and decent mystery attached.

It also wasn't as corny or cliché as most holiday themed movies tend to be and I wasn't ever sure how the story was going to play out especially in regards to the happily-ever-after. The acting and sets were very good too, including real snow, as I've seen some Xmas movies which were obviously filmed mid summer.

The story follows Kate, a lawyer who travels to Vermont to broker the sale of an inn and learns that the reason it won't sell is because it's haunted by a man who cannot move on until the mystery of his death (95 years ago) is solved.

I have to admit one of the reasons I enjoyed this as much as I did was down to Thomas Beaudoin who plays the ghost. I've never seen him in anything before but he was excellent. Decent acting and super good looking. He really pulled off a man from the turn of the century.

Daniel as our ghost only appears 12 days each year and then disappears back into his static between world again. He is grumpy and perpetually hungry for his 12 days at the inn, wanting just to be left alone. Despite Kate finds herself drawn to the ill-tempered spirit, determined to help him and they soon find themselves in an unlikely time crossed romance.

Good For a Christmas Movie

[patricia_gonzalezram · 7/10 · 24 December 2018]

This movie about a man who returned only 12 days of the year for Christmas was really good. The concept is pretty refreshing for a Christmas movie. I love the chemistry of the characters and the surprises in the plot. I love Kate is the workaholic instead telling a movie about a man who doesn't value his family because his job. I love the forgiveness of main character (maybe a little quick) and how, even when he is in love with Kate, for a second wants to go with Lilly to the other world. It was a normal reaction.

Horrible ending

[hunterleehowell · 1/10 · 14 March 2019]

Watched this movie around Christmas time with my fiance it was ok i enjoyed the whole killed by the best friend thing it made it interesting for a hallmark movie but when it got to the end and he came back to life 100 years later young and hot simply because he wanted to that's where I drew the line that has to be the stupidest reason for bringing someone back to life in a movie and also screw that guy for putting the owner of the hotel through all that having to close the hotel on Christmas week year cause daniel gets pissy at Christmas time only to find out he can just jesus himself back to life cause he felt like it horrible ending ruined the movie will never watch it again

Great Story

[robin_sweetpea · 20 December 2017]

Loved this movie want to see a second part like so many Christmas Movies need to make second one.

Something new (with something already seen)

[Jenn_i · 7/10 · 24 November 2018]

This movie was surprisingly good and the storyline actually was quite nicely written. Plus the ghost guy(Thomas Beaudoin) was SUPER handsome. ;) For him I'd watch this again, so I could just drool over him. ;)

When the movie started I didn't expect much, but as it went on I was happy I started watching this. Of course it is cheesy and predictable, but it is very enjoyable at the same time. The main characters had nice chemistry and did their job good enough. Maybe with some more money on the budget and some more time creating more personality for the characters, this could have been sort of hit-ish movie.

I have watched many Christmas movies in a short period of time, and this was the first that actually made me tear up a little bit in the end. So overall was quite nice movie.

Needs to be a part 2

[amberjessee · 10/10 · 23 October 2018]

I love this movie I watched 2 times already and ill be wstching it again its a great movie there needs to be a part 2 with late and Daniels journey please make a part 2

A romance with a real ghost

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 19 November 2020]

This is a ghost story and the ghost is purported to be real. If you believe in ghosts, fine. If, like most people, you don't believe in ghosts then either suspend reality or watch something else. I don't usually watch ghost stories, but I think this one is a bit unusual. For one thing, the "ghost" is corporeal for 12 days up to Christmas. About a third of the way in after Daniel and Kate reach a peace of sorts, we find that there is another ghost.

We know from the first scene that Daniel was struck on the head by an unknow person. He doesn't remember that at all until a little over half way and we immediately get two suspects. Then suddenly, that mystery gets put in the background. Actually, it turns out there's more than one mystery.

It's too bad that Kate's boss kept interfering with her relationship with Daniel, because that just took away from their time together and Jen Lilly and Thomas Beaudoin had chemistry. That was the story I wanted to see.

The climax and the ending are a bit confusing. The rules of the situation seem to change without explanation. That's probably enough of a spoiler to figure out the outcome, but then we pretty much expected this outcome would occur somehow.

Turkey

[southdavid · 2/10 · 3 January 2020]

Another film watched in preparation for the "How Did This Get Made" podcast. I was expecting it to be awful, particularly when it became apparent that this was another Hallmark/Lifetime movie, and I wasn't disappointed. I'm genuinely shocked to see the positive reviews on here, and the score, which at the time of review was 6.4.

Kate (Jen Lilley) is a Lawyer who's tasked with selling a small town bed and breakfast quickly, over the Christmas period, to avoid incurring tax. She is unable to get the venue valued though, as whomever she sends to the site is scared away by a ghost. Unbelieving in their excuses, she heads to the B&B herself and then meets Daniel (Thomas Beaudoin) the previous owner of the lodging who was murdered over a century ago, he is allowed to return each Christmas, for 12 days, but not to leave to confines of "his" land.

So, yes. This is bad. On both a technical and emotional level. The budget is low, I'm prepared to make allowances in terms of cinematography and scope for that. . but I'm not sure it really excuses the awful performances and bizarre tangents that the plot takes. I did feel there was a degree of chemistry between the leads, that's not to say that they were good in this, just to say I did buy into the relationship a bit. But literally every other character is awful, and if you told me they weren't professional actors, I'd believe you.

It's the story that kills it dead though. A baffling array of nonsense. The rules regarding Daniel's haunting aren't clear and just because the film calls itself out on that, doesn't mean it can get away with it. The film opens with Daniel's murder and it might have made sense for them to investigate what happened across the run time, uncovering clues. Instead they organise a crappy Christmas mixer and then resolve the murder in the last 15 minutes. Then both characters make a staggering impractical decision about their futures and the movie ends.

Horrendous.

Still teary eyed...

[heidiprochnau-983-860073 · 10/10 · 24 November 2018]

I try to stay away from the Hallmark/Lifetime movies, but the synopsis had me intrigued. I was so surprised at how well (and non-cheesy) the acting was. I was a little worried at first! But it was such a sweet and heartfelt movie. If you're a cynic it's probably not for you, but if you want a moving and romantic Christmas movie then this is for you!

Okay

[Christmas-Reviewer · 6/10 · 26 June 2018]

Review Date 6/26/2018

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 Christmas MOVIES. On all Christmas movies BEWARE OF FAKE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. Many reviewers have only have ONE REVIEW. When it's a POSITIVE REVIEW chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. If its a negative review then they may have a huge grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. I review them is to keep track of what "I have seen".

The story is A young lawyer finds romance with a spirit (Thomas Beaudoin) that takes the form of a human 12 days before Christmas. This was a inept idea.

The plot holes in this are very numerous. The logic is also gone You can also figure out things long before they are revealed.

The acting is fine. With a story telegraphed way in advance it makes 90 minutes feel like 4 hours

One of the Worst Christmas Movies Out There

[jesusfreak-00881 · 1/10 · 23 November 2019]

I can't say enough how much I hated this movie. I don't know how an hour and a half felt like an eternity, but I sat up, watching dumbfounded as my roommate fell asleep due to boredom. I couldn't believe how poorly acted and directed the story was.

And when it ended I laughed OUT LOUD and woke my poor roommate, who was not pleased. She was less pleased when I made her watch the last twenty minutes because I "white-girl-just can't" when it comes to the ridiculousness of it.

Not your predictable Christmas movie!

[cokercreekinc · 10/10 · 18 December 2016]

When I began watching this movie I expected it to be the typical ghost story type movie where woman falls for man then man vanishes and never returns plot but no, not the case. I also will say the scenery/filming location was simply magnificent, so beautiful. The acting was far better than I'd expected and the ending was a total surprise. This movie reminded me of movies way back in the 1970's/'80's when movies taught/reminded us of our values, taught us forgiveness and much more. Well done, I simply loved every minute of it. I'd encourage anyone to watch this movie, you won't be disappointed no matter your age. I usually pass on these lifetime or network Christmas movies but am glad I chose this one to begin the Christmas season with.

An okay way to spend 90 minutes

[suego-49293 · 6/10 · 7 December 2021]

This was your typical, light-weight Christmas movie - a little mystery, a little romance, easy to watch, short on plot, average acting. There are inconsistencies all over the place and to some degree the movie suffers for it, but I wasn't looking for an Oscar winner here, just an easy holiday watch and that's just what I got.

A different Christmas story

[doctorsmoothlove · 4/10 · 16 November 2019]

"The Spirit of Christmas" at least has a great title and a pretty good story. People often forget the spooky side of Christmas legend. The Christmas Carol features ghosts and rattling chains after all. It's nice to see that aspect of Christmas represented in a film.

A probate lawyer visits the hotel owned by a decedent in order to appraise and sell it. No one is willing to appraise it because it is haunted by a man who was killed a century ago. The man's spirit returns to either haunt or hang out in the hotel his family used to own. The logic behind his appearance is inconsistent and illogical. That's ok. The film really isn't about ghosts or lore. This is a mystery romance film with a slight Christmas theme.

Kate, the lawyer, and Daniel, the ghost Hot Guy, try to figure out the cause of his appearance every year. He isn't sure. The script is very concerned about the timing of a trip Daniel makes to Canada. I wasn't super concentrated because the film isn't ambitious enough to build a world for Daniel. Why does he half to be a rum runner besides general poverty?

At least the film is visually interesting. The hotel is dark and not every shot is framed directly in front of the actors. Sometimes we see shots from above or below someone. I only mention this because so many made-for-tv Christmas films are very visually boring. There is a great moment when a second ghost is revealed who makes a frightening appearance in a hotel bathroom. The film was shot during winter and there is real snow in some scenes.

The actors are attractive. You want them to get together. Jen Lilley as Kate is good at selling Kate as an overworked, cynical career woman. Thomas Beadouin is emotive enough to feel empathetic. He is very handsome and the movie gives us a shirtless scene which it knows we want.

The two of them get together and break his curse, or blessing or whatever it is. I feel like the writer ran out of time and just ended the story. The leaps in logic make no sense within the confines of the story. Again, it's ok. This is an ambitious misfire which is better than a lazy run of the mill dud.

HollyGrove or Spirit of Christmas

[Jazznme2 · 7/10 · 20 December 2015]

My recording of this movie shows "Spirit of Christmas" as the title. I looked and looked but could find no 2015 movie entitled Spirit of Christmas. Finally, I just looked up the lead character and thus came to unravel this little mystery. So, we have an aka, but I'm surprised that is not mentioned here. I have only just begun to watch this, but this gal is the broker sent to check out the property. The original owner has been missing and presumed deceased. Her first night in the inn,just after midnight, she hears some noised in the place.....falls on stairs, and awakens to find the "spirit" of the owner still living in the house and literally tosses her out... Here the story begins. I'm not much for super-natural, but it looks to be slightly entertaining and the actors are credible. Maybe an administrator can add an aka to the title for others benefit. My rating is to not disturb the existing one for those who have seen its entirety.