This is a good overall movie that is both uplifting and well acted.It is rare find for me. This movie portrays the core goodness of people without oversimplification or being "syrupy sweet." Even for those who have read the book, the movie delivers. Take your family. You will be happy you went.
27 Reviews
Very touching without being Hallmark sappy
BuckeyeJohn19768 January 2022
Well done, well cast and well acted, without being unrealistically Hallmark corny. I would have done a few minor tweaks (I understand why Hope was eager to be accepted, they're a wonderful family; but why would they be so quick to invite in a total stranger?). I would have changed the first jar interviewee (the teacher), and done something about the annoyingly cliche best friend. But I gave it an 8, which tells you how much I liked it, and highly recommend it. Be sure to have the tissues ready.
Also, I had no idea that Columbus looked so much like Canada. I'm going out right now and find every shooting location. ;-)
Also, I had no idea that Columbus looked so much like Canada. I'm going out right now and find every shooting location. ;-)
Very heartfelt movie
dontakeitpersonal22 December 2020
Great feel good movie
markgauthier-162765 November 2019
just beautiful
Kirpianuscus20 December 2020
The first word defining this film can be different. It is, obvious, a Halmark product. But the fragile good intention becomes more stronger in its case. Not only a film about Christmas and generosity, about a young reporter making a discovery and using it , not only romance but a beautiful eulogy of family, from the first step and idea making all in action to the , maybe too sentimental and almost fake end. But a good film and thisis just the basic trait defining it.
Poor Acting and Character Development
skpn1239 December 2019
Pay It Forward
westsideschl7 January 2020
Movie takes from the thousands of years old tribal & centuries old humanist concept of doing a random good deed for someone you know, as well as strangers, in hopes that they will in turn continue that ethos & kindness. A BYU sponsored script with a Christian bias, but done tastefully, i.e. not evangelically. My only criticism is that the setting involves well-off Americans helping less well-off Americans who, relative to most of the world would be seen as wealthy. It might have been a more universal, challenging & reality based story if it involved peoples living w/very reduced, often painful, lifespans from disease & hunger, and in culturally different parts of the world such as in Africa, Afghanistan.
Great feel good story
bindonjs31 December 2019
I really enjoyed this movie. Well acted, with characters who were believable and sincere. The story was based on a best selling book, and had a more interesting plot than most recent Christmas movies. While the ending was predictable, it was so heartfelt and sweet, I had tears in my eyes.
Not worth your time
pianoboy-916465 November 2019
Although there is a decently inspiring and clear narrative, I can not explain to you how hard this was to watch. A lot of cheesy humor (Basically dad jokes the whole time), and a lot of really awkward conversations. Most of the conversations are completely meaningless, stereotypical, and completely unrealistic. Acting is poor, with most of them seeming like they simply did Drama in high school. No creative storytelling, transitions, or characters. Classically repetive romance. Christmas Jars is simply a movie I would not reccomend watching.
Excellent! Don't miss it, especially the start!
SunnyDaise18 December 2021
Whilst you're delving into the popcorn, keep an eye on this movie from the start as there are so many details and clues throughout. All generations can watch together and the cast are a mixture of ethnicities so most viewers will relate somewhere along.
Not worth a movie price
lmjones-922035 November 2019
Great wholesome movie for family
doorstepbaby25 December 2019
Wow best so far this season
rhondagorz27 December 2019
An Elevated Take on Christmas Movies
aleahingram31 October 2019
More than just a small film with a big heart (though it certainly is that), "Christmas Jars" expertly takes the classic Christmas movie formula and infuses it with surprising depth and themes of self-discovery and sacrifice.
Yes, there is also a lot of sweetness; those who generally have a "bah humbug" attitude towards Christmas films will find some moments too saccharine for their tastes. However, these moments are balanced with great humor and ample character growth.
The film stars Jeni Ross as Hope, a young journalist looking to prove herself to her boss. After a series of losses, including the death of her adopted mother, Hope finds her big break when a large jar filled with money is left outside of her apartment.
Determined to discover who is leaving the Christmas Jars throughout the city, Hope's investigative reporting leads her to the Maxwell family, a jolly clan who run a woodshop out of their home and freelance as the generous benefactors of the Christmas Jars each season. Through their warmth and generosity, Hope will find more than she ever imagined, including a surprise conclusion that will leave the audience in tears. However, her lies threaten to ruin her new-found relationships, especially with the Maxwell's son, Ian.
The inclusion of Hope's romantic relationship with Ian, originally found in the book's sequel, is one of the best changes made by the filmmakers. It proves heart-warming and irresistible to watch while upping the stakes for Hope as her lies begin to unravel.
Overall, Hope's interactions with the Maxwell family are at the heart of the film and it takes a little too long in getting there. However, it's worth the wait. The strength of the supporting cast is definitely unusual for a Christmas film; stock characters these are not. From the entire Maxwell clan, who you'll desperately wish you could spend dinner with, to Hope's delightful and hilarious co-workers, you'll find yourself invested in the characters and the story.
Yes, there is also a lot of sweetness; those who generally have a "bah humbug" attitude towards Christmas films will find some moments too saccharine for their tastes. However, these moments are balanced with great humor and ample character growth.
The film stars Jeni Ross as Hope, a young journalist looking to prove herself to her boss. After a series of losses, including the death of her adopted mother, Hope finds her big break when a large jar filled with money is left outside of her apartment.
Determined to discover who is leaving the Christmas Jars throughout the city, Hope's investigative reporting leads her to the Maxwell family, a jolly clan who run a woodshop out of their home and freelance as the generous benefactors of the Christmas Jars each season. Through their warmth and generosity, Hope will find more than she ever imagined, including a surprise conclusion that will leave the audience in tears. However, her lies threaten to ruin her new-found relationships, especially with the Maxwell's son, Ian.
The inclusion of Hope's romantic relationship with Ian, originally found in the book's sequel, is one of the best changes made by the filmmakers. It proves heart-warming and irresistible to watch while upping the stakes for Hope as her lies begin to unravel.
Overall, Hope's interactions with the Maxwell family are at the heart of the film and it takes a little too long in getting there. However, it's worth the wait. The strength of the supporting cast is definitely unusual for a Christmas film; stock characters these are not. From the entire Maxwell clan, who you'll desperately wish you could spend dinner with, to Hope's delightful and hilarious co-workers, you'll find yourself invested in the characters and the story.
Hallmark's Finest Christmas Movie
PeterMovie614 December 2019
Just ridiculous!
sukotachi7 December 2019
Love Christmas movies and tend to binge watch this time of year as they're usually quite fun. I expect them to be over mushy and typically the same theme about someone selling or saving something usually in a small town and of course falling in love with someone unexpected. But this movie crosses the line right into EXTREMELY annoying and STUPID the dialogue and characters are that unbelievable and irritating. A definite channel changer IMO.
Great beyond my abilities...
randytirazona27 December 2019
This is in fact - one of thee greatest Christmas movies of all time. I can't do it justice, you will have to judge for yourself. But here is what I think. Jeni Ross as "Hope" is a perfect choice for the lead role. With her performance she pulls everything together. Jennifer Gibsons' as Marianne poignant performance seals the deal. Tara Yelland as Hanna shows us the embodiment of "a woman." From the smallest details, to all the acting, direction and everything else that makes a movie - Everyone and Everything that had a part in this movie makes this a Legendary Christmas movie! Some say that because it touches upon this or that - makes it not a good Christmas movie. Yes - it does touch upon abuse and abandonment but more importantly it shows how the Spirit of Christmas... How love, giving and helping can help us all over come such devastating issues. It shows us what the Spirit of Christmas is and how the Spirit of Christmas helps us all.
Watchable
Janet161216 December 2021
A nice, if predictable, Christmas film. More of a story here, with the reporter investigating the start of the Christmas jars.
Some great acting and characters. A little overdone with the sentiment and the predictable ending is just way too much.
Although I've said the acting was great, the actress playing Brandi had me nearly switching for the STOP button with her OTT facial expressions and her move Luckily she's not in too many scenes.
Some great acting and characters. A little overdone with the sentiment and the predictable ending is just way too much.
Although I've said the acting was great, the actress playing Brandi had me nearly switching for the STOP button with her OTT facial expressions and her move Luckily she's not in too many scenes.
Perfect for bringing in the GIVING spirit and will definitely help #LightTheWorld with Kindness
dyejoutah3 November 2019
Loved this film! It exemplifies the true meaning and spirit of Christmas!
If there were a modern corollary that brings a similar spirit to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, It Is the Christmas Jars.
This is a must-see for all your friends and family!
If there were a modern corollary that brings a similar spirit to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, It Is the Christmas Jars.
This is a must-see for all your friends and family!
Thank you box of tissues
grakky26 December 2019
Great Christmas movie
scottreese7 December 2020
A Cheesy movie with a good ending
jamesgreenwall17 December 2023
"Christmas Jars" directed by Johnathon Write is Christmas movie with the theme of giving and the inspiration it gives others. The movie stars, Jenni Ross as the main character, a Journalist named Hope who finally gets a big break writing an article, however she must lie too the family she is interviewing, creating contentions.
The movie overall is not very good. I can't even lie. The acting and the lines in the movie are so cheesy, it's just hard to watch. The characters feel shallow and so cliche that it isn't special, and they have no purpose rather to bring a comedy aspect that doesn't always fall through. However they really capture emotions well. In the emotional scenes it is actually really touching, eapically in the end. The end of the movie recovers everything.
The end of the movie really puts the theme of the movie into place and it warms the heart of anyone watching. You feel so touched for the last 30 minute. However the last 30 minutes don't make up for the rest of the movie being irritating. The cinematography is basic, the lines again, so cheesy. The characters are boring, and the plot itself is pretty unoriginal. However it still so touching and it leaves you with a good feeling.
The movie overall is not very good. I can't even lie. The acting and the lines in the movie are so cheesy, it's just hard to watch. The characters feel shallow and so cliche that it isn't special, and they have no purpose rather to bring a comedy aspect that doesn't always fall through. However they really capture emotions well. In the emotional scenes it is actually really touching, eapically in the end. The end of the movie recovers everything.
The end of the movie really puts the theme of the movie into place and it warms the heart of anyone watching. You feel so touched for the last 30 minute. However the last 30 minutes don't make up for the rest of the movie being irritating. The cinematography is basic, the lines again, so cheesy. The characters are boring, and the plot itself is pretty unoriginal. However it still so touching and it leaves you with a good feeling.
Loved this!
tocanepauli1 January 2021
Wow... best Christmas movie this year
kahast3 December 2019
Great film - similar themes to other films
sheldonlinda9 December 2019
7:44 p.m.
Watching "Christmas Jars" for something like the third time. I need to find an antique desk and a really cute guy to restore it.
Girl who is alone on Christmas - "While You were Sleeping" "Christmas Angel"
Girl who is alone who by lying falls in love with a family who includes her in their family is forced to eventually confess to them - "While You were Sleeping"
A journalist who is planning on divulging someone's Christmas philanthropic secret and then changes their mind - "Christmas Angel"
A different story is chosen - "Christmas Angel"
Girl who is alone on Christmas - "While You were Sleeping" "Christmas Angel"
Girl who is alone who by lying falls in love with a family who includes her in their family is forced to eventually confess to them - "While You were Sleeping"
A journalist who is planning on divulging someone's Christmas philanthropic secret and then changes their mind - "Christmas Angel"
A different story is chosen - "Christmas Angel"
See also
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