A Christmas Romance (1994) (TV)

Director:

Sheldon Larry

Writers (WGA):

Maggie Davis (novel)
Darrah Cloud (teleplay)

Release Date:

18 December 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Romance

Tagline:

A single mother who needs a chance. A banker who needs a change.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Eviction | Sheep | Snowstorm | Stranded | Widow

Cast

Olivia Newton-John	...	Julia Stonecypher
Gregory Harrison	...	Brian Harding
Chloe Lattanzi	...	Deenie
Stephanie Sawyer	...	Emily Rose
Tom Heaton	...	Mel Betsill
Stephen E. Miller	...	Bert Betsill
Brent Stait	...	O.T. Betsill
Susan Astley	...	Margie Peterson
Tom McBeath	...	Mr. Macklin
Anna Ferguson	...	Old Woman
Teryl Rothery	...	Susan
Melody Ryane	...	Felicity

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-PG | Netherlands:AL | Spain:13 | UK:U (video premiere)

Filming Locations:

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Dalrymple Production

Soundtrack:

The Way of Love

(NO spoilers!) Live the romance, if you can get a copy!

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!