Gripping story with well-crafted characters

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

I would much, much prefer to write a favorable review rather than a negative one. And this is one of those movies that I find very favorable.....Consistent with Gail O'Grady's wonderful talent starring in all of her movies, this movie was also very enjoyable....time and time again....(what a tremendous difference a seasoned, talented star makes in Hallmark's Christmas movies!).....I liked the plot, the lines, the directing...the supporting caste was not annoying. I liked and enjoyed almost everything..............Very inspirational: After "Sara" lost her police officer husband in the line of duty, she opened a food pantry for the needy in his memory...She was very dedicated to it for years...as well as she was very dedicated to their son...Then she faced a financial crisis concerning the building, of which she prioritized not to be defeated...and while she continued to prioritize her son.......However, I didn't care for Robert Mailhouse in this or any movie. There is just something about his looks that does not make him appealing to play in (possible) romance parts, and I thought he was detracting.......Gail O'Grady was teamed with attractive male stars in her previous movies, and their (potential) romances seemed more sincere and believable........Anyway, "Congratulations, to Gail and to the staff for making another quality movie!"

All I want for Christmas is not a good movie. There are many of these cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies out during the holidays. Most of them are totally predictable and follow the same format. This movie does exactly that, however, you will know exactly what will happen three minutes into the show. The character development is weak, the love relationships are not believable, the little kid is annoying and rude, just a bad bad movie. Save yourself some time and watch the movie Dear Santa. Exact same premise (lead character works in a soup kitchen and the child is trying to set up their parent with a spouse for the holiday). The only difference is that Dear Santa is a predictable yet fun Hallmark like Christmas movie, and All I want for Christmas is not fun in any way.

This is NOT a particularly original movie, and maybe not all of the actors were perfect, but I enjoyed it, despite the hokey, sappy nature of it. This is a family movie, not an action movie or a comedy. It's predictable and --- (dare I say) heart-warming.Don't go into this movie with high expectations, or they will surely be dashed. Watch this movie with REALISTIC expectations. It's (only) a bit of "holiday fluff" but it's kind of charming. Unlike the other user to review this movie, I did not find the kid annoying. That said, I do have to agree that he was probably the weakest actor and least sympathetic character. The two main characters were quite easy to like and root for.I probably would not watch this movie a second time (because now I have seen it) but I WOULD certainly recommend it to someone looking for a cute, family movie. There are better movies out there (duh) but after seeing it I was glad that I had seen it, instead of feeling that I had just wasted the last 90-120 minutes of my life.**** spoiler alert **** It has a happy ending.

Seriously, that spoiled kid with poor delivery was the only truly irritating thing to this otherwise decent enough, if clichéd piece of predictable pap. Since many Western families are going to watch a flick like this around Christmas, his attitude and (lack of memorable) presence is simply going to make it less enjoyable. Apart from him, the acting is OK. The plot may have an aspect or two that are new(with that said, I haven't watched any of the other movies with the same title, so maybe it doesn't), but you know exactly what will happen almost before the first frames of this. Basically, the child wants a new dad, and submits a video saying so, to a toy company that is ripping off the concept of the Make a Wish Foundation to increase profits. So mother dear does what people with a sense of ethics refer to as prostituting herself, agreeing to go on dates on the condition that the company gives money to her charity, named after her deceased husband. It's completely black and white, and everyone who is "good" has all the PC opinions. The characters tend to be pretty paper-thin. While this isn't terribly funny, I'm not sure it's trying for it all that often. And it doesn't particularly do any "silly" or cartoony stuff to get laughs from five-year-olds, so that's a point in its favor. The morals are wholesome, and there's essentially nothing offensive(to its intended audience) in this. I recommend this to those who belong in aforementioned group. 6/10