A Town Without Christmas (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

Above Average

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 13 July 2019]

Review Date 7/13/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films, & Christmas Television Movies , & Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever produced. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.

Chris, a young boy in the Pacific Northwest town of Seacliff, Washington, goes missing. Before he disappears, he writes a letter to Santa Claus, wishing that he would no longer exist in order to not trouble his divorcing parents.

Concerned that Chris is in danger of taking his own life, locals set out to find the missing child. Among them are struggling writer David Reynolds (Rick Roberts), jaded big-city reporter M.J. Jensen (Patricia Heaton), and Max (Peter Falk), a kind yet mysterious elderly man .

A few twist here and there keep this film moving along. The acting is great and the story maybe a little dark it is however a truth that we should avoid. Maybe not for the under 8 10 set but it is a film that doesn't fail in getting its message across but in a subtle way. Worth watching!

A Christmas mystery

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 15 November 2017]

This is a fairly good mystery story in a Christmas and some romance jammed in. Several seemingly disjointed scenes begin the movie and start us on the mystery journey. There are actually a couple of mysteries going on revolving around each other. There is the little boy, Chris, who is apparently missing or hiding despite the fact that no parents show up to join the hunt that has become a huge circus in town. The second mystery is David's past. He too was lost as a little boy but he's not quite sure how he was rescued.

The acting is solid. Patricia Heaton and Rick Roberts work well together, but there really isn't much screen time devoted to developing any romance. Most of the screen time revolves around the mysteries. I thought the ending would be something else, so I would say the mystery wasn't overly predictable. Some of the results at the end were generally predictable, but after all it is a Christmas romance movie. (I saw it on a Hallmark channel, but the beginning didn't credit Hallmark.)

The story has some unnatural elements. Peter Falk is Max who seems to show up in interesting places to give them clues, but he can span distances in what seems like magic. He also paints pictures of mundane events in David and MJ's life and some of the paintings are in their possession before the events happen.

A Movie Without a Good Ending

[gehewe · 7/10 · 11 January 2018]

Loved the first 60 minutes of this movie. We have mystery, fun and excitement. A reporter sent, wonderful paintings predicting future events, a kind act by the reporter for which the lady gave her a red coat and she twirls. Then the story sort of falls apart for me, it gets real weak. Now we end with this pageant which is going to be canceled because the power is shut off. Our hero finds Peter Falk as the magical Max and gets candles so we can have Christmas. This confusion put me to sleep. My wife agreed that the candle part was pretty lame but she would rate the movie a little higher. I am just disappointed they weren't more creative about the ending. Actually they may have been a bit lazy about the ending.

A nice Christmas movie, with a message for the entire year

[foofa5 · 17 December 2001]

What a lovely movie. Not the standard Christmas movie (though I like those as well). We can often get caught up in the busy-ness (is that a word?!) of life, and especially at Christmas, and forget to remember the real meaning of Christmas. And Rick Roberts, as always, was adorable.

Hark!

[theanomaloushost · 6/10 · 5 October 2020]

Behold! The one decent Hallmark-style Christmas film that doesn't absolutely suck!

Angel or Detective?

[anastamad · 5/10 · 12 March 2021]

Mr Colombo always flying in my heart!Tipical movie Single man and woman after each together!So Happy End

Fine annual holiday fare

[caa821 · 9/10 · 21 December 2006]

For some reason, my family and I completely missed this file, or even knowing about it, during the five years since it first aired.

Caught it this year, and glad we did. It is a pleasant story, as are both the characters and cast. (Noted that, although set in Washington state, filming locations were all in Nova Scotia. Enjoyed the scenery knowing this was actual locale, and would like to visit area sometime.)

Patricia Heaton is one of the most attractive persons on-screen today. While it is largely assumed to be because of the pleasant persona she conveyed all those years on "...Raymond," I think that simply demonstrated her appealing persona, along with all other roles in which I've seen her. Rick Roberts, whom I'd not seen before was a pleasant co-star, and Peter Falk adds a lot to anything where he appears.

Despite the comment posted three years ago by the disgruntled Scotsman - who was distressed at having had to watch this "american..." film on Boxing Day -- this is an excellent holiday presentation. These films are not to be "Citizen Kane," and that is probably for the best -- one often simply wants a couple of hours of good holiday fare with pleasant story and cast. Let this dolt simply pop-in "Tunes of Glory," or "The Prime of Miss Jean Brody," straighten his kilt and shut-up.

Well done, but formulaic

[Ralpho · 5/10 · 18 December 2001]

I watched this TV movie because I'm a fan of "Everybody Loves Raymond," the sitcom Patricia Heaton is in. I was interested to see Heaton in a different role, as I had only seen her in "Raymond" up to that point.

She did a good job as the cynical TV news reporter, as did all the other actors in their roles.

However, the schmaltzy nature of the film is all too familiar as the tried and true method of tailoring TV movies to suit a female audience. The hard-bitten TV reporter finds true love. The lonely failed novelist solves a mystery from his past And the cute little girl brings her bickering parents back together. Give me a break!

TV movies like this are made for women as much as soap operas are made for women. There is no attempt to attract a mixed audience (except perhaps girls).

I almost quit watching this movie in the first five minutes because the producers made a gratuitous political statement on gun control in the guise of a piece the cynical reporter did for her TV station.

Movie producers would do themselves a favor by keeping politics out of their films unless it serves the plot. Chances are they DID lose viewers in the first five minutes from that gun control bit. I only kept watching because I had it on tape and could zip through the commercials.

Warm Holiday Film

[cwillis_m · 9/10 · 17 December 2001]

A Town Without Christmas is just that. Warm. Plus, it's always great to see Peter Falk. The rest of the cast is great also. I'd recommend it for all families looking for something sweet and fun. My rating: 9 of 10.

Gets better with time

[anchor-9 · 10/10 · 15 December 2008]

This is not "A Wonderful Life", but like it , it has a special heart. Unlike it, it has not yet found that niche audience. This story deserves your attention. Peter Falk puts in an understated performance worth the price of admission. The story is simple - not so much formula as stretching belief.

The setting is contemporary and likely more meaningful to a younger audience than Bedford Falls and its Depression and War era references.The characters -save for Max are everyday but experiencing the out ordinary.

Enjoy it for the Christmas treat that it is.

A pleasant holiday charmer.

[coder34 · 17 December 2001]

This teleplay, scripted by Michael J. Murray, is a pleasant holiday charmer. While there's nothing new here (it combines elements of practically every version of "A Christmas Carol," including the darkly edgy "Scrooged"), earnest, understated performances by Patricia Heaton and Peter Falk (he's still alive?!?) make "A Town Without Christmas" worth a watch. My vote? A mild 6.

Watchable and Uplifting Family Entertainment

[mrmac-42561 · 8/10 · 12 October 2018]

The role of Peter Falk as an angel with some rough edges lifts this film above most other Christmas fare. Patricia Heaton and Rick Roberts are perfectly cast as a couple trying to solve two mysteries, the paintings and 'Chris.' Isabella Fink plays the role of a child in turmoil so well. A year before this movie she played 'Claire' in 'Children of My Heart.' This movie is definitely worth a watch.

Wish I'd taped it!

[MisterMickey · 12 March 2003]

A thoroughly enjoyable film, that hopefully will become an annual event. The network was wise enough to run it the following year, & let's hope that in 2003, they show it again. I'd love to see this one come out on video, as it's a jewel. Of course, Peter Falk steals the show.

was at airport lay-over 2001 while watching this great movie

[svLandSave · 10/10 · 9 December 2002]

I'm so looking to find it again this year, so I can save it on video. I've searched and searched the listings and so far I don't see it repeating. I WANT TO SHARE IT WITH FAMILY MEMBERS. If anyone finds it is coming on television this December 2002, please write me. Thanks.

How obvious was the plot 0/10

[ken_hurlford · 26 December 2003]

Bah Humbug. Schmaltzy american feelgood pap. Forced to sit thru this on boxing day with my mother-in-law as it is the sort of poorly made, appallingly scripted &^%$ I avoid like the plague. If you're old & sad, or young with no intelligence watch this. If you have any self respect then watch something else

It stinks

[bren77eeyore · 23 December 2003]

I love Patricia Heaton on Everybody Loves Raymond and I was a big fan of Peter Falk as Columbo. However, I would like my two hours back after watching this lame movie on television. The actors did their best, but the script and storyline are simply terrible. Do not watch this. If you want a good Christmas film, try It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story instead.