Very well executed

It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Both movies, starting with "Finding Father Christmas" complement each other VERY nicely. Very Well Directed, and 'Miranda' (Erin Krakow) comes across as a very believable / sensitive character, searching for answers leading to the identity of her real father, and her place with a far away unsuspecting family (back east, in Vermont), far removed from her Seattle connections. Her subtle but highly talented acting skills convincingly captures the audience, and takes them on a sentimental journey into solving a family mystery, and her place in not only finding who is 'Father Christmas', but the meaning of Christmas, itself ! Some subtle changes between the first movie, and the second movie are inherent, as you plunge into the sequel: "Engaging Father Christmas"... Daughter Julia Whitcomb changes young actresses (from the first movie), and one of the premises, behind the family mystery.. 'the captivating poem', behind the mystery to: "the beguiling eve".. actually changes content (a subtle line is added to the original poem, in the second movie. as was initially introduced in the first movie); But these are subtle elements / modifications that actually complement the overall finish product. BOTH - GREAT FAMILY HOLIDAY productions - a Must See !! But these are so good, you do not have to wait for the Holiday Season, to enjoy. Can't wait for the third movie to be released, (could it be: "Marrying Father Christmas" (??). High marks in this quality holiday drama series, as we have come to know and love - both Miranda and Ian, in this instant Christmas Classic journey...In writing this review, I am reminded by one of the 'hallmark' quotes, from the movie, that stand out - as that we should be reminded: "May Truth and Grace Reside Here".. how poignant.

Those who rated low maybe are expecting award-winning performances. I personally think that this is as good Hallmark gets. Maybe there were a few things I didn't agree with but compared to the messes that there were this year, those where just details.I was such a fan of the first movie and luckily this one didn't disappointed me. I even understood the family's point of view of the conflict.Miranda and Ian were even cuter than in the first movie, the chemistry was so much better. And it was kind of predictable from the first moment but it was such a good movie i'm letting that go.Hallmark does a really good job at making me love Christmas. It really makes me want to sit next to the fire and read while drinking hot chocolate. Cliché, I know.

When I first saw "Finding Father Christmas," I was immediately hooked. It differed from other Hallmark Xmas movies in that there was a bit of a mystery to it. As in; who was Miranda Chester's biological father? Well, of course, that question was ultimately answered not only to my satisfaction. But, also to millions of other viewers!Here it is, a year later, and Miranda is now heading back to Carlton Heath with a lot more Xmas spirit than when she first arrived there. Especially after love-struck Ian pops The Question in the most melodramatic fashion in Carlton Heath's history!!But, all that hard-won joy is almost canceled out by the caller-ID- blocked cellphone calls that Miranda starts to get harassed with...concerning the truth of her paternal heritage.Who is the self-styled Ghost of Xmas Past? Is it her old flame, Josh, whom she met at Boston's Logan International Airport (and to whom she revealed that secret in strictest confidence)? Or has one of the Whitcombs been paranoid enough to hire some private eye to keep an eye on Miranda (only to now be double-crossed)?I watched the premiere, last night, so--naturally--I already know the answers. The rest of you will just have to tune in one of the re- runs to find out for yourselves!OK! I'll be serious, now. This sequel does admittedly spend half its time recapping-in-summary the plot of the first movie. But, that's a necessary evil of _any_ sequel! And, I will also admit that Peter and Margaret's reticence, about James being Miranda's father (at least, while in public with unknowing third parties), does become a little annoying after a while. Making me think, once or twice: "Why are they acting like selfish snobs? How much more does she have to do to prove herself to them?"But, in the end, love and good sense prevailed. As it should in _any_ Hallmark Xmas movie.

My first complaint is the first thing we see after the flashbacks. "One Year Later." Come on now, are you guys in love or not? The way they left it in Finding Father Christmas, it does not make sense that they would be apart for the better part of that year. That goes double.I didn't buy that she would spill the secret, at least not the name. And not once did anyone say to the reporter "You may have thought you heard that, but do you have any evidence?" Erin Krakow may have one of the best "in-love" faces in Hallmark. And she and Niall Matter certainly played that well. Lucky guy got a lot of kisses and hugs. Krakow is also always great with kids. I had a hard time feeling the soft side of Wendie Malick. Even when she was being loving, it still sounded stiff. Peter, played by Jim Thorburn, was back and forth like a tennis match either welcoming or condemning Miranda, but that's the fault of the story.The story wasn't deep enough. It tried to mingle huggy, feely romance with tense foreboding and the result to me was just blah.I should have seen the climax coming, but it was still good.