The Christmas Wish (1998)
Returning to his home town after the death of the grandfather who raised him, slick and cynical Wall Street trader Will Martin feels decidedly out of place, and not at all in tune with the Christmas preparations being made by the local citizenry. But Will isn't really taking a sentimental journey at all: He's merely in town to modernize and streamline his family's real-estate company. While going through his grandfather's effects, Will and his grandmother come across the old man's diary--which reveals a lengthy relationship with a woman named Lillian.
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I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film
This film is boring. It take forever for even the simplest of scenes to end. There is lots of scenes where NPH enters rooms and walks across them that were not needed. Every scene had 20 seconds that should have been cut. Almost Every scene with his "Girlfriend" were not needed. Now the story is about a man returning to his home town after the death of the grandfather who raised him. He is now a slick and cynical Wall Street trader! He isn't really taking a sentimental journey at all: He's merely in town to modernize and streamline his family's real-estate company. While going through his grandfather's effects, Will and his grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) come across the old man's diary--which reveals a lengthy relationship with a woman named Lillian.Before he leaves he wants to find out who Lillian is. Now this sounds like a good story and "Part of it is". The main problem is that this film has too thin of a plot. It would have made a better film had they edited it down or come up with a more suitable B Story!
Having watched this movie for the umpteenth time, it still retains its freshness and charm. Neil Patrick Harris is perfect as the grandson intent on fulfilling his grandmother's Christmas wish...to discover who the woman Lillian was that her husband wrote about in his journals. Harris comes home to arrange for a long-distance management of his grandfather's real estate business, and discovers along the way that there is more to life than business. He discovers that loyalty, friendship, kindness, and compassion are still values worth embracing. Naomi Watts is perfect as Harris's love interest, and Debbie Reynolds lends charm and dignity to the role of Ruth. The movie could be maudlin, but avoids the syrupy sweet moments that often wreck Christmas movies. Since forgiveness is the true spirit of Christmas, The Christmas Wish delivers. This movie is worth the time invested in watching it. I never leave it feeling empty.
One Great movie, I've watched it several times. The music in the background is moving---it might not win any awards but if the spirit of Christmas is in your heart, you'll like this movie. I wish I could find the soundtrack.
This is the second time my wife and I have viewed this film and we think it's a perfect Christmas film. It's heart-warming and can be viewed by the whole family. I hope in the near future that it is released on video as I would love to purchase a copy for my very own (that's my Christmas Wish).