The Christmas Wife (1988)
An aging and recent widower, not wanting to spend his first Christmas alone, responds to an ad in the newspaper which reads: "You are not alone. We make social arrangements of all kinds." When he visits the Social Arranger, he makes it very clear his only interest is in "social company" and is subsequently introduced to a woman who agrees to spend the holiday with him. The woman bids him to not ask any questions about her personal life, which harbors a secret that threatens their developing friendship, and could ultimately change both their lives.
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Excellent but underrated film
Captivating movie !
Absolutely Fantastic
It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.
All of the above reviews offer an insight I can understand. I wish to add that this is so very rare a film, for me, because there is romance, in the sense that one can feel real chemistry between these two great performers. There is the real feeling of the possibility of desire, of a physical attraction that emerges, unexpectedly, really, between elderly people.This possible couple had grace, charm, and, delightfully, both became more desirable as one watched. The film had credibility, warmth, charm, and an ending that can best be understood by those who have lived a little.
I enjoyed this movie and thought it was artfully done, and very poignant. It was a definite "chick flick". Sadly for me, the CD, which I checked out at the local library, had a flaw in it right at the critical moment which lead up to the "secret". I could not get it to play and I had to skip to the ending. It stopped right as Iris was going to tell her secret. Please, someone let me know what that secret was. I missed all of the scene from where she was pouring him coffee and onwards. The next scene I saw was when he dropped her off at the bus stop. I would really like to know what her secret was!! I can imagine all sorts of things, but my suspicion is that she was married.
A muted film for the mature. Not a "pretty" film, nor is it sugar-coated with a "Hollywood" ending. Instead, to get the most out of this film, one must have lived, suffered, and know deep loss. Somehow, out of this accumulated life experience, the mature viewer comes away nodding at the film's many truths. My wife and I nodded in agreement and understanding with the characters' well-crafted lines, awkward silences, and moments of discovery. We loved "The Christmas Wife." And yet we can understand those who did not enjoy this film. Perhaps they were looking to be entertained rather than to be challenged or reminded that life can be full of surprises, no matter how old one becomes. There was an air of genuine pathos as the film began, yet, at the end, one came away amused, stimulated, and wondering what the protagonist would encounter as he moved on in life after loss.
I saw this movie 2 days before Jason Robards' death. He is such a fine actor, I will miss him. --- The movie is about a widower who doesn't want to spend Christmas alone. He contacts an agency to set him up with a woman who is also in need of company. The drama unfolds as the two spend the holiday together. Very touching, heartfelt movie.