Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Nice effects though.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This is a highly enjoyable tale of a family who has distanced themselves from one another after the death of their mother and wife. Dolly Parton does an excellent job of country singer Ruby Diamond who dies in a car accident while trying not to run over a young deer. This act of selflessness gives her the chance to progress into Heaven rather than Hell, as long as she can complete one task by midnight of Christmas Eve... to bring the broken and grieving family back together.In the true nature of this type of Christmas tale trials and tribulations are thrown in her way. What sets this above most of this ilk is the quality of the story, which isn't overly melodramatic but humorous and witty. And the cast, which works well together, is superb with the comedic elements of the script, especially Roddy McDowell as Saint Peter.As Christmas flicks go this is one of the best and well worth a watch - it should easily put a smile on your face.It's also a bonus that Dolly Parton's wardrobe is stitched together to show off every one of her other obvious assets... This is a film that I would recommend to Crimbo lovers and romantics alike - also if you have an interest in anything paranormal or slightly religious or like a good laugh then this could be for you. At least it's a good way to waste an hour and a half.

This movie is a must see for all people, whether you are a Dolly fan or not. It's more than a Christmas time movie...it's about what's really important in life....family, love, understanding,friendship..enveloped by a Christmas time setting. Families should sit together and watch this film...and singles should listen closely to the title song....open your eyes....you, too, may find your "unlikely angel." And, of course, Dolly is in wonderful form and voice and she treats us to several songs in this film! Shout out question,,,,does anyone know if Dolly has recorded the title song? I've looked everywhere but cannot seem to find it recorded. If anyone knows please let me know as this is a song which we should all listen to over and over again.

This was on network TV last night. Dolly Parton produced it and wrote two songs for it, which she sings. I like Dolly Parton, she is incurably cute with her distinctive grin and that double-wide across her chest. She is really the whole show here and if you don't like Dolly Parton, I don't think you will enjoy this movie that takes place partly in Heaven with St Peter.Dolly Parton is Ruby Diamond, guitar-playing country singer who seems to pick the wrong guys. She finds hers with a woman in his truck outside the honky-tonk one night and, distracted she almost hits a deer in the road as she drives home. Instead she crashes into a tree and the next thing we know she is confronted by St Peter (Roddy McDowall) and walking on clouds. But she hasn't lived the kind of life that would get her wings and into Heaven right away, so she is given a second chance, to go back and accomplish a task within a certain deadline. Can anyone guess whether she meets the goal?? SPOILERS FOLLOW. She is unceremoniously dropped from the sky into someone's yard, dressed as a resident of the Alps. She is there because they need a nanny, which she also happens to have references for, she gets the job. But her task is to unite the family, father, daughter, and son, all unhappy after the death of mom. Thaings are complicated by Ruby's attraction to the dad, after all she still feels young and wants her chance at a good man. But that isn't an option, she is already dead, she finally manages to unite the dad with his assistant, the two children are happy, Ruby meets her deadline by maybe a minute or two. See, I told you she would! (NB - It was fun seeing Allison Mack of recent Smallville fame as the daughter Sarah, here only 13 or 14 during filming.)

Although this film is unfortunatley not available in England for some reason, I did see it a couple of years back when it was shown on TV. Whilst focusing on certain happenings around Christmas, the message that Dolly Parton gets of that she should not be selfish and always think of ourselves should extend to anyday. My wife and myself found this to be a charming film with a sincere message. Being given the chance to bring a family back together at Christmas is what Dolly Parton gets and with help from Roddy MacDowell, who plays an unusual portrail of St Peter,and giving enough humour not to make the film to serious is one I would like to add to my collection of films to watch over again.