A Christmas Romance (1994)

Redundant and unnecessary.

Good movie but grossly overrated

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Newton-John and Harrison only did what Julie Andrews and James Garner did in ONE SPECIAL NIGHT. Still, she's never been more serious as an actress (nor has she ever been lovelier, except in the 1975 Glen Campbell special. Only Valerie Harper prevented Olivia from being the indisputable belle of Aspen in John Denver's ROCKY MOUNTAIN Christmas.)A CHISTMAS ROMANCE is more unforgettable than ONE SPECIAL NIGHT for three reasons. Olivia is even prettier (in my eyes) than Julie; I had never seen Olivia act at this level before (corny though the plot was); and I had never seen Chloe before. Since PEOPLE quoted Olivia as saying she never accepts a dramatic role unless there's another for Chloe in the same project, I already suspected that one of the daughters in A Christmas ROMANCE was played by Olivia's own daughter. Olivia's resolute sheep-ranching widow instantly banished Julie's stuffy obstetrician from my dreams (though not from my critical memories).

Julia (Olivia Newton-John) is a young widow with two little daughters. She is behind in the mortgage payments on her mountain top house, has many other bills and, to add insult to injury, loses her job. Brian (Gregory Harrison) is the banker in charge of her mortgage and, on a snowy day just before Christmas, he makes a trip up the mountain to tell her she will be turned out of her house. Yet, fate steps in. Brian, a bachelor, becomes stuck on the mountain in the heavy snowfall and must spend a few days with Julia and company. In such close proximity to each other, is it possible for two very different people to fall in love? This film is not without its charms, of course. Newton-John and Harrison are attractive people, the setting is lovely, and the plot contrivances formulaic but fun. However, the two stars do a great deal of bickering, more than is required to set the stage for the unlikely romance to follow. After awhile, this becomes a bit tedious. If you are looking for acceptable Christmas films for the family and for those who like love stories, this one will do, no doubt about that. Just be prepared for lots of acrimony before love finds its way to fruition.

This movie distribution puzzles me VERY greatly. It's near impossible to get in any North American format (DVD region 2 UK appears to be the most available version) Why not North America? No idea. Would sell like hotcakes! Set your VCR (or other recorder) if you see it on TV! As for the movie...Imagine one of the cleverest romantic stories you will see, the leads have great chemistry, and the children (one played by Olivia's daughter, how's that for a holiday "keepsake"?)are charming and not over acted.If you expect a musical, no, that's not it... (very little singing, and all in context of the plot) comedy, well, sometimes... drama? Hmmm... not really... My "9" rating is based on "best of class" as watchable clever romantic stories are far apart. (WAY apart!) Screenplay vs. book? (yes, I actually found a copy of the book) I was interested in seeing how they compared... not well, I fear.Screenplay beats the book with a baseball bat, one of the very few movies I've EVER seen where the "basic" idea of the book is kept, and the details tossed out the window, with the screenplay winning hands down.The movie is FAR, FAR better than the book, it "flows" better, is far more a solid plot than the book, comes together without the cheap "gimmicks" of the book, etc. (ever seen a screenplay beat the *daylights* out of the book? and not vice-versa?) Nice work, Darrah Cloud (screenwriter), whoever you are, I'll look up your work! The book left me wanting my fifty cents back, the movie is fun, and more fun to watch than it would lead you to believe.Keep a heads up for this one, you'll want to snap out the "erase allow" tab on your tape to protect it! Hey guys out there! BIG heads up on this, GREAT "at home" date movie, the fact that Olivia Newton-John is at her "cute looking" best is reason enough to watch. For the ladies out there, Gregory Harrison looks nicely groomed for the part.I read somewhere the whole movie was done in several weeks (!) Some TV episodes take longer, but don't look it.Enjoy!

The Christmas Stranger was an excellent storyline. The casting was great. The story was a lot like my life, except I haven't found the right man after my husbands sudden death. I love Christmas just as Julia, can't bake like her though. But, back to the movie, it was great, I wished I could own it on VHS or DVD. I would love that.