Like everything else in our currently upside-down society, the best way to review an X-mas film these days is by observing what it is NOT. Saving Christmas Spirit is, first and foremost, not a product of the Great Canadian X-Mas Movie Machine, an sub-industry in Canada which each year strives to produce as many generic X-mas movie knockoffs as humanly possible. It also is not an X-Mas movie that believes in bowling over the viewer with bright colors, bright lights, and glitzy surroundings, all with the intent to substitute looks for quality. Rather, this is a nice, lazy, easygoing, and quite comfortable romp with appealing characters and a story that holds the attention. Ashley Newbrough is the "glue" that keeps the whole thing working. She has a very distinctive way of delivering dialog, almost as if she is talking directly to the audience. And all those Scottish accents ... who can resist? Brings to mind the iconic SNL skit with the punchline "IF IT's NOOO SKOTTISH.... IT'S KKRRRAPPP!" Recommended! ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
12 Reviews
A fun Xmas movie with every cliche going
gwynmoses29 November 2022
This was an enjoyable watch for a run of the mill Xmas movie set in the Highlands of Scotland (Fort William and Lochaber). The story was easy to follow and entirely predictable with almost no elements of surprise, with pleasant enough characters acting entirely within stereotypes.
The most enjoyable part of the film was spotting the Scottish cliches abundantly thrown around, from dancing in the snow with a piper in the background to the bonnie wee Scots girl with ginger hair as a secondary love interest (albeit more believable than the main relationship).
Scenery, as ever in this area, was stunning and there were plenty of shots of local landmarks to whet the appetite for more.
The most enjoyable part of the film was spotting the Scottish cliches abundantly thrown around, from dancing in the snow with a piper in the background to the bonnie wee Scots girl with ginger hair as a secondary love interest (albeit more believable than the main relationship).
Scenery, as ever in this area, was stunning and there were plenty of shots of local landmarks to whet the appetite for more.
Could have been so much better.
KTinTX2 November 2023
Nice story but some of the acting was straight out of a 9th grade school play. The actors playing Scots were obviously more seasoned actors and they saved it to a certain extent, but the lead actress needs to know that she doesn't have to smile through dialogue that is supposed to be serious, and the young man playing Finn needs a few more school plays in his resume before acting on screen. Timing was awful all the way through. It was a nice story line that was not well edited or directed. There was a very apparent lack of chemistry between the two leads that maybe good acting on both sides could have fixed but not in this case. Pedestrian at best.
A Delightfully Pleasurable Watch This Christmas. 1-2-Watch.
P3n-E-W1s38 December 2022
Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Saving Christmas Spirit.
Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.50/4 - Performances: 1.50/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2
Total 6.50/10
There are few places on this planet where you would think that magic and faerie folk could exist. One such place is the extraordinarily beauteous mountains of the Scottish Highlands, which I was lucky enough to visit this year, so Saving Christmas Spirit was like a memory of good times. Luckily, the director captures the peaks and the Scottish countryside superbly, imbuing the movie with a subtle, heartwarming atmosphere. The writer gives the audience plenty of stuffing as there's not only one love story in this movie but three. One of which involves a meddlesome ghost. There's also the equality story of the girls' rugby team the local school is reluctant to fund, an ongoing feud between two local families and their land rights, and a race to get the funding to release the dram of the moment "Christmas Spirit" and save the local distillery. Add into this mix your typical stereotyped characters, with your more robust "real-life" individuals, and the motherly, yet slightly extravagant, hotel owner, and you have a delightful way to waste an hour and a half with your beloved. The cast is excellent. Though, Ashley Newbrough, who portrays Dr Lucy Stewart, is sometimes a little staid - not exactly wooden, but close.
I have to give you a little warning, though. The movie's beginning isn't great, and it may tempt you to hit the off button. Please stay with it. Once the good doctor leaves America and lands in Scotland, the story and performances get considerably better. Saving Christmas Spirit was a pleasure to watch, and I'd recommend it to Christmas Movie fans and newbies. Should C5 choose to repeat the picture in the future, I'll give it another viewing.
Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.
Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.
Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.50/4 - Performances: 1.50/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2
Total 6.50/10
There are few places on this planet where you would think that magic and faerie folk could exist. One such place is the extraordinarily beauteous mountains of the Scottish Highlands, which I was lucky enough to visit this year, so Saving Christmas Spirit was like a memory of good times. Luckily, the director captures the peaks and the Scottish countryside superbly, imbuing the movie with a subtle, heartwarming atmosphere. The writer gives the audience plenty of stuffing as there's not only one love story in this movie but three. One of which involves a meddlesome ghost. There's also the equality story of the girls' rugby team the local school is reluctant to fund, an ongoing feud between two local families and their land rights, and a race to get the funding to release the dram of the moment "Christmas Spirit" and save the local distillery. Add into this mix your typical stereotyped characters, with your more robust "real-life" individuals, and the motherly, yet slightly extravagant, hotel owner, and you have a delightful way to waste an hour and a half with your beloved. The cast is excellent. Though, Ashley Newbrough, who portrays Dr Lucy Stewart, is sometimes a little staid - not exactly wooden, but close.
I have to give you a little warning, though. The movie's beginning isn't great, and it may tempt you to hit the off button. Please stay with it. Once the good doctor leaves America and lands in Scotland, the story and performances get considerably better. Saving Christmas Spirit was a pleasure to watch, and I'd recommend it to Christmas Movie fans and newbies. Should C5 choose to repeat the picture in the future, I'll give it another viewing.
Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.
Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.
Mine's a Brandy please?
adamjohns-4257519 November 2022
Saving Christmas Spirit (2022) -
This was by far the best pond crossing film that I've seen from this genre of Made For TV Christmas Films. I have watched some absolute doozies lately and so I was thankful to see how well this one was put together and that I found an interest in their relationship which had been lacking from many of the films that I have seen from 'Hallmark', 'Lifetime', Etc lately.
In a strange way, because of the archeological element, it did have a slight suggestion of 'Outlander' (2014-) about it, which, if it was deliberate, was a clever move on the producers part.
I also liked the fact that the other stories, running alongside the central romance, didn't interfere, but actually helped the main story along. Nothing detracted from the blossoming connection and a touch of magic will always help. It wasn't over the top or too hard to believe, but cute and an appropriate addition to the story.
There were a couple of dodgy performers involved, but the story was a slight tweak on those that I've seen before and in the proper direction, so that it balanced out against the rougher elements.
I will definitely be checking in to watch this one again.
7.06/10.
This was by far the best pond crossing film that I've seen from this genre of Made For TV Christmas Films. I have watched some absolute doozies lately and so I was thankful to see how well this one was put together and that I found an interest in their relationship which had been lacking from many of the films that I have seen from 'Hallmark', 'Lifetime', Etc lately.
In a strange way, because of the archeological element, it did have a slight suggestion of 'Outlander' (2014-) about it, which, if it was deliberate, was a clever move on the producers part.
I also liked the fact that the other stories, running alongside the central romance, didn't interfere, but actually helped the main story along. Nothing detracted from the blossoming connection and a touch of magic will always help. It wasn't over the top or too hard to believe, but cute and an appropriate addition to the story.
There were a couple of dodgy performers involved, but the story was a slight tweak on those that I've seen before and in the proper direction, so that it balanced out against the rougher elements.
I will definitely be checking in to watch this one again.
7.06/10.
The location in Scotland is beautiful, that's about it.
Avidviewer-0284731 December 2022
Glenfinnan, Scotland is beautiful on Loch Shiel. The old home/lodge where the filming too place looks very cozy, I'd like to sit in front of a fireplace there and sip their whisky. Those are about the most positive things I can say about the movie.
The plot was interesting, but the dialog and delivery by the actors was really bad. There didn't seem to be much chemistry between the leads. A decent director would have gotten better performances from all the actors, I thought I was watching amateur dramatics.
If you want to watch Christmas in Scotland movies, "A Castle for Christmas" (2021) and "Lost at Christmas" (2020) are much better movies.
The plot was interesting, but the dialog and delivery by the actors was really bad. There didn't seem to be much chemistry between the leads. A decent director would have gotten better performances from all the actors, I thought I was watching amateur dramatics.
If you want to watch Christmas in Scotland movies, "A Castle for Christmas" (2021) and "Lost at Christmas" (2020) are much better movies.
Wonderful Christmas movie, beautiful scenery
nancaren11 January 2023
What a wonderful Christmas movie! The scenery is gorgeous and the acting is delightful. Very special, unique Christmas movie. Loved all the locations, the landscapes, the house, the mountains, the scenery. The actors are warm and endearing. I laughed and cried and I wanted to know each of the characters more. The kids were adorable and believable. Loved their story line about the girls rugby team. Loved the innkeeper. She's hilarious. The two leads were great. Loved the reindeer. And the music, especially the last song is really nice. There's a lot of history and Scottish folklore too. Definitely worth seeing on a cold night around a warm fire!!
US is getting better at UK movies
SunnyDaise20 December 2022
American movie makers are getting better at Brit flicks! Ironically the most stereotypical character is the over-the-top camp New Yorker, but fortunately he's not in it much, and even he gets some of the many amusing lines to make him slightly less run-of-the-mill. There's a good mix of characters, with three generations providing a range of plots. Many of the set-ups have the usually predictable endings, but plenty occurs to keep watching for as everything eventually resolves. I like a bit of sadness to add depth even in a Christmas movie, but there is a lot of bereavement and divorce here to deal with, which of course the characters do. This could be a series of films, exploring different elements of Scottish history.
Who's was the close out song?
robert-fordntlworldcom20 December 2022
I watched this on C5 last night.
Thank goodness, a new Christmas film, it made a change from the constant repeats we've been given recently.
This was a bit of a mixture, it was like any other romantic film. But, in places, it seemed a bit of a fantasy.
Like the steam train. Obviously a heritage line, but why just the heroine and the station master alone on the platform, twice?
The ghost of the landlady's husband, moving stuff about.
The brewery? Far too big to be what we were supposed to believe it was.
The "bed and breakfast" more like a castle.
The reindeer turning up unaccompanied, one complete with a bell around its neck, from where did they come?
The young star rugby player? You could tell he'd never touched a ball in his life from the clips of his training. But a nice little sub-plot romance.
However, it was a pleasant enough film and despite its faults I enjoyed it.
I was really impressed with close out song.
"It's the light of Christmas."
It suited the fantasy.
Anyone know, who was the girl singer?
A very attractive voice.
I've done a search but can find nothing.
.
Thank goodness, a new Christmas film, it made a change from the constant repeats we've been given recently.
This was a bit of a mixture, it was like any other romantic film. But, in places, it seemed a bit of a fantasy.
Like the steam train. Obviously a heritage line, but why just the heroine and the station master alone on the platform, twice?
The ghost of the landlady's husband, moving stuff about.
The brewery? Far too big to be what we were supposed to believe it was.
The "bed and breakfast" more like a castle.
The reindeer turning up unaccompanied, one complete with a bell around its neck, from where did they come?
The young star rugby player? You could tell he'd never touched a ball in his life from the clips of his training. But a nice little sub-plot romance.
However, it was a pleasant enough film and despite its faults I enjoyed it.
I was really impressed with close out song.
"It's the light of Christmas."
It suited the fantasy.
Anyone know, who was the girl singer?
A very attractive voice.
I've done a search but can find nothing.
.
I laughed I cried it was awesome!
nickyoungmusic25 December 2022
I don't usually watch Christmas movies, but this one was something special. It's a great mix of humor and sentimentality that really gets you in the Christmas spirit. The setting and the visuals are completely stunning. I love the actors especially the two leads. Really enjoyed it! It's set in Scotland and the beautiful old house that looks a little like a castle. I see beautiful Scottish scenery, wonderful production value. There's a fantasy element to the story. It's very charming and mysterious. The two lead characters have amazing chemistry. I believe it they actually used some local non-actors in the cast, which added a nice element of authenticity. I highly recommend this!
Gorgeous, magical Christmas movie with warm characters and beautiful Scotland as its backdrop
loufren-736424 January 2024
This is a gorgeous, magical Christmas movie with delightful characters set in lovely Scotland. And bonus! It's not one of those factory produced, typical Christmas films with the same boring plot! It's got romance and humor, drama, reindeer and plenty of storyline to keep you interested and warm and fuzzy inside. Loved Ashely Newbrough and James Robinson as the leads, and loved the actors who played the kids in the subplot which really moves the story along and gave it extra layers. Layla Burns who is also in Outlander plays a darling and feisty red headed rugby player, and Jake Satow from The Dropout plays a charming and heartfelt kid who tries to help her start a girls rugby team. Louis Emerick from Brookside is fabulous as the grumpy coach and Joanne Randle is so funny as the cheeky Aunt Edina. This movie has Christmas magic from start to finish, and the traditional ceilidh dance and end song truly top it off! The scenery and locations are beautiful throughout and make you want to go there. The musical score is also really great. Beautifully filmed. This is one to watch every year by a cozy fire with a warm beverage in hand.
Exactly what you want at christmas
kitkirstymillar9 December 2022
The perfect Christmas movie- a cheesy romance, snow, reindeer, a meddling housewife & so much more. Definitely one for a cold winters night!
For a corny Christmas movie there are actually twists and turns along the way. Including the young love added an extra layer to the film, and the young actors really shone.
Edina was fabulous - comic timing, guidance and advice even when it's not wanted.
Finish it all with a ceilidh, a snowy Christmas fairytale and a hunt for ancient relics and its a lovely wander around the Highlands of Scotland.
Definitely recommend for anyone who loves a Christmas movie and a good story!
For a corny Christmas movie there are actually twists and turns along the way. Including the young love added an extra layer to the film, and the young actors really shone.
Edina was fabulous - comic timing, guidance and advice even when it's not wanted.
Finish it all with a ceilidh, a snowy Christmas fairytale and a hunt for ancient relics and its a lovely wander around the Highlands of Scotland.
Definitely recommend for anyone who loves a Christmas movie and a good story!
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