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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Good start, but then it gets ruined
A Major Disappointment
A bit overrated, but still an amazing film
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 300 HOLIDAY FILMS & SPECIALS. I HAVE NO AGENDAA businessman Will Martin tries to uncover a family secret for his grandmother Ruth Martin after he returns to a small town to modernize his family's real-estate company. During thanksgiving dinner his grandmother Ruth tells him she has discovered a woman named Lillian in her husbands Warren's journals. He had visited her every Christmas Eve. Will sets off to solve this mystery. Now this film is all talk. It's also very quite. Not much happens and the mystery is interesting my not enough to hold most peoples interest. However what got me through this film was a game. The film had many familiar locations that have been utilized in other films. This film in Southern California and most likely in the Summer. I recognized several locations that were used in "Friday the 13th Part IV" and "Friday the 13th Part V". The Jarvis home from "Part IV". There is also a location from Part V that is used. You will see Neil Patrick Harris by gas pumps. This location is where Lana worked at a diner. Anyway this film is not boring but its not very interesting. Even Debbie Reynolds scenes are almost limited to one location. This was not a bad movie but it could of been much better.
Although the stars of this movie are known for a lot of comedy, this is a very serious and heartwarming film.Will Martin, (Neil Patrick Harris), is a young man rising up the corporate ladder in New York when he is called home to settle his recently deceased grandfather's estate. The grandfather owned a real estate business and now it belongs to Will. Will's parents were killed in an auto accident when he was a child and he was raised by his grandparents. Ruth, (Debbie Reynolds), is Will Martin's grandmother. Julia, (Alexandra Wilson), is a young divorcée with a son about 10 years old. Miss Enid Cook, (Beverly Archer of Mama's Family), is an accountant in the real estate company.Ruth surprises Will with his grandfather's diary, which she only discovered after his death. It is mostly the mundane stuff of day to day life. The big surprise to Ruth and Will is the grandfather's frequent references to a mysterious female named Lillian. Will promises his grandmother that he will discover the truth about Lillian by Christmas Day. Both greatly loved the grandfather and give him the benefit of the doubt - up to a point. The nagging mystery is troubling. Will begins a search via old photos, old friends and employees of the real estate business. It leads Will to learn a lot about himself, as well as his grandfather.The movie includes side plots of problems for the Alexandra Wilson and Beverly Archer characters.No spoiler here. Trust that all mysteries are resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned, not least the viewer. The Christmas Wish has a pip ending. Some might consider it slightly schmaltzy. If so, it is very high quality schmaltz. I was engrossed from beginning to end. Get out your handkerchiefs.
chased this little gem down, had to buy it on DVD and closest place to purchase was America. lovely film.. saw it years ago on TV and always wanted to share the experience with friends that never got an opportunity to watch it themselves.never have i forgotten the story or the film's name , waited years to see would it appear on TV again. i honestly never considered buying it on DVD. have a packet of hankies ready as even a brute like me shed a tear at the twist in the story line. a real Christmas story, very true to life with a lesson for everyone. you would never catch the twist near the end. being placed in a similar situation to the characters in the movie it is easy to see how quick it would be to pre-judge somebody without knowing all the facts.this film first appeared in 1988 (ian Barry), be careful there are similarly named movies out there.....
Even as tv christmas fare goes, this one's a snoozer. I usually adore the leads in this but could they possibly have had a more plodding vehicle? There were no surprises, nothing refreshing; in fact, the story line was so tepid and ridiculously drawn that I hated it. I simply hated it. The one shining spot in it all was Naomi Watts' performance as the single mom / love interest. Even Debbie Reynolds' typically vibrant self couldn't pull this one off the pillow. I'm glad I saw it once, but once was quite enough for me.