Touches You

Best movie ever!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The story carries the day, on this romantic adventure - backed-up with solid performances by Edward Asner (Luke Spelman), John Newton (Sgt. Cody Cullen), and Alice Evans (Faith Spelman). The beginning of the movie lands you in Afghanistan, with the U.S. Military. Maybe because I am an Army Dad, I was not particularly impressed with the realism depicted (in the movie) of the Army Base operational environment, as portrayed in the initial scenes, at Nurestan (in the movie) - The only reason I did not rate this movie higher than an (8). The acting fell a little short there, but this is not crucial to the compilation of the story, which quickly evolves... stateside, at the beautiful and picturesque small California town of Nevada City (CA). Filmed on location. Sgt Cullen is drawn to the small town, because of fallen friend (KIA), and because of a Christmas Card sent for the troops, in support of their mission abroad (during the Holiday Season). This romantic story has the audience rooting for Sgt. Cody Cullen, and Faith Spelman.. with plenty of support coming from Luke (father - ex Vietnam Vet), who would rather see his daughter be envolved with a 'fellow grunt', rather than with her current boyfriend, who has delayed in 'tying the knot' with his long-time steady. Highly recommended as one of the best of the Hallmark Christmas Movies.

There are many heartwarming moments in this nice romantic film. But I thought that many of the plot lines were forced. For one thing, it made no sense to me that Cody didn't reveal the card to Faith at one moment early in the film where it seemed to be the obvious thing to do.Alice Evans, as Faith, had way to many scenes where she showed little emotion. John Newton, as Cody, was hardly any better in the emotion department, but at least for him, this made sense in his character and the situation. I wouldn't be jumping for joy if I were in love with another man's serious girlfriend. The path to love for these two was underplayed too much in the movie. We got far more evidence of it from the people around them than we did the couple themselves.And where did Paul even come from? How did they meet? How did she fall in love? At least one thing made sense. As Faith's dad realized, she would be far more content with the man who worked extra hard with his hands and was totally comfortable in the outdoors. Traveling the world would have little if no appeal to Faith, especially if it meant leaving her family.Edward Asner was excellent and so was Peter Jason who is probably responsible for most of the life and humor in the movie.

This is the one Christmas movie I have to watch every year. I love the characters and the actors in this patriotic movie. I would not change anything about it. You owe it to yourself to see this movie. I have only reviewed about a dozen movies, but have watched thousands, only two movies would I give a 10 to, this is one of them. I only wish that I could get an Ultraviolet copy of it.

All in all just a bad movie, with bad acting and a plot so see-through it hurts. The only thing that got me through it was the lovely Edward Asner. But if all the holiday programing allows you to see is this, then it can work if you are in need of a boring romance with an army dude and a girl who loves God, and the small town, and an "evil" boyfriend who is a walking cliché of bad examples. One of the many questions that came to me when watching this movie was how the hell this small town girl, who just loves the simple life, ever came across such a snob of a wine salesman! And how this ignorant guy ever thought he could get her to leave. And also The whole Afghanistan incident with the soldier dying that is just bad! Having had close family serving there it hurts me how bad that scene is acted!