Say what you will about the writing, the acting, and the grateiness of KC's character - oh and see below what I thought about the improbability of Kari's character really being that all alone - I really do love you Kari, and the similarities to this Christmas' "Christmas Jars" but there is an incredible spirit to this movie that not even then the little bit more professionally made and just as heartwarming "Christmas Jars" can match. Every time it comes on I think I'm going to switch the channel - not bec. I don't love it, but bec. I may have just seen it the night before, and I don't. The spirit is too amazing, maybe part of it is the music, but there is just something to this film. Some of the reviewers criticize KC Clyde, but remember however how much we loved him in "The Best Two Years." I think that he and Kari do have chemistry, they wouldn't have done an encore from "The Dance" if they didn't. And yes Bruce Davison who is the mentor - just as Ron Lea as the older wiser mentor in "Christmas Jars" is absolutely amazing. I loved him so much in this film that it was hard watching him later on as the villain in a not very well done t.v. movie that Jane Seymour produced and acted in where he played the abusive ex husband.
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Two nearly identical movies are running this year - "Christmas Angel" and "Christmas Jars" - the only difference is that in "Angel" the male lead is the villain, and in "Jars' the female lead is the villain - at least as sorts. Sad - both "Ashley" and "Hope" have sad original families and are now all alone in terms of family at least. How could two very attractive and relatively out going girls have not developed an extensive outside network and support system haven't they through high school, college - sorority not acquired a zillion friends? Where are their aunts and uncles and cousins? I'm sorry, but I have never bought the idea of someone having "no family."
