Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. The idea of the film did sound predictable and similar to other hotel etc-set Lifetime/Hallmark films.
The 2020 output from Hallmark did vary in quality but was not near as bad or wildly uneven as it could have been. None of the films from the batch were really terrible, and a small handful of them were actually very good. One of the best, maybe a strong contender for the best, was 'Project Christmas Wish'. The setting and basic scenario sounded quite familiar, but 'Project Christmas Wish' actually managed to be one of the few Christmas films in recent years to do something different to the usual.
'Project Christmas Wish' for my tastes did drag a little in the final quarter and was a little sugary sweet in spots.
Did also find Lucy on the manipulative side on occasions.
However, there is a lot to like here. It looks lovely, have nearly always loved the scenery in Hallmark films (especially their Christmas output) and it is beautiful here and filmed very lovingly. The music is appropriately festive and doesn't come over as intrusive or overdone, which is not the case with many other Hallmark films.
Was very surprised at how good the script was. It was not cheesy. It was not too sentimental or over-schmaltzy, while having touching well intended moments. It also doesn't sound forced, with the conflict being much better written than most conflicts for Hallmark. What surprised me was the comedy, it was a big surprise that there was any but it was even more of a surprise that the comedy was actually funny and at its best hilarious. As far as Hallmark films go, 'Project Christmas Wish' is one of the funniest and in a way that always feels natural and not strained.
Also liked that the story was a lot less predictable or formulaic than most Hallmark Christmas films, especially the conflict which is not forced or easily telegraphed too much. There is a good deal going on, but it doesn't feel too much, almost all the subplots work and the chemistry (especially the central romance) is genuine all round. It is also very heart-warming and never comes over as too heavy, with plenty of light heart. Great to see characters that were interesting and worth caring for. It's well acted all round, Amanda Schull being immensely appealing.
In summary, very well done. 8/10.
Project Christmas Wish
2020
Drama / Family / Romance
Project Christmas Wish
2020
Drama / Family / Romance
6.9Keywords: christmas
Plot summary
In the town of Elmhurst, Lucy works for her best friend Joan at her home décor and design shop. But if Lucy is being honest, her heart is on her Christmas side job of organizing for the last ten years Project Christmas Wish, which she created, it which tries to grant the holiday related wishes of town residents as best it can. Why she is so invested in this endeavor is in her own Christmas wish being granted when she and her mother Joyce were going through some difficult times upon the passing of Joyce's husband/Lucy's father when Lucy was a child, and thus she truly believing in the power of wishes. Project Christmas Wish highlights one wish every year as a means to engage the community. The wish that Lucy plans to highlight this year after an impromptu declaration on the radio is for eight year old Max, recently moved to town and having trouble finding her place. Her wish: to have a Merry Christmas like she used to before her mother passed three years ago, Max's father, Lucas, who has not been able to get into the Christmas spirit since in missing his wife, Stephanie. Lucy making as public a declaration of highlighting Max's wish as the focus for the Project this year is before Lucy learns that Lucas had no idea that Max either had this wish or was going to make such a public declaration. Despite not wanting to be the focus of the town, Lucas feels that he has no other choice but to indulge Max in this very public granting of her wish. As Lucy goes about trying to make Max remember the joys of Christmas, especially with her mother no longer alive, Max decides to alter her wish in making it a Merry Christmas equally for her and for her father. In the process, Max may get that additional wish in Lucas and Lucy falling for each other. But a Merry Christmas this year may be in jeopardy if their mutual feelings are overtaken by both not yet being ready to open their hearts romantically, for Lucas in not wanting to forget Stephanie, and for Lucy in not wanting to be hurt again as was the case in the dissolution of her first marriage.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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Wishes at Christmas
Great holiday movie
This was overall a cute holiday movie with wonderful performances from Amanda and the lead guy
A Sweet, Feel-Good Christmas Romance
Amanda Schull, Travis Van Winkle, and the daughter, played by the adorable Averie Peters do an excellent job, they have great chemistry together. It's a well written, funny and interesting Christmas romance that's well worth watching