Another classic Hallmark movie: a sweet and warm Christmas story with a solid script; strong performances by the leads; and plenty of Christmas spirit and festive cheer. One of my favorites thus far this season. The chemistry between Jill Wagner (as Rebecca) and Lucas Bryant (as Matthew) was excellent. There was some very good, convincing interaction between the two of them thru-out. For example, about 30 minutes into the film, there was the scene where they were walking down the street together; the banter and dialogue (and chemistry) here was great. Wagner, a Hallmark regular, performs great in these types of roles. The supporting cast was very good too. Cassidy Nugent (as Cassie), for example, had a cute performance. The story itself is a heartfelt one and provided a sense of Christmas spirit (it did for me, at least). It is a predictable story of course but engaging, nevertheless. Though to be fair, I did not know who Angel was until the end. Regarding the wish tree, I do think that writers could have done a bit more with the wishes (some more, e.g., nobler wishes). Overall, it is an entertaining Christmas movie, providing some holiday warmth, spirit, and festive cheer. Fans of Hallmark will not be disappointed.
28 Reviews
Better than other holiday movies
nhermida4 January 2021
The story is nice and the actors are very good (certainly quite different than others in this type of movie, who can range from overacting to not believable). Bottom line is that this movie ends up being better than other holiday ones.
Home is a place that is always waiting for you...I wish I lived here.
cgvsluis15 November 2021
I absolutely love both Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant and they didn't disappoint.
Jill Wagner plays Rebecca, a writer who writes an article about The Angel Tree from her old home town where a mysterious and anonymous benefactor grants the wishes left on the Angel Tree every year at Christmas. Rebecca's editor bribed her in to trying to find out who the benefactor is and write an article about them...promising that she can write more of the articles that she wants to write about real people if she does. Challenge accepted! Rebecca packs up her daughter (she is a widower) and goes back to her old home town for the first time ever and stays with her aunt. On the first day she runs in to her old best friend, Matthew, who is running his parents diner and doing a coffee roasting business on the side. The two fall back in to an instant affection...they have great chemistry, and are immediately set up on opposing sides as Matthew wants to help keep Angel anonymous. His nephew however joins Rebecca and her daughter on the hunt to solve the Angel mystery.
One interesting wrinkle, Rebecca's article attracts outsiders and the number of wishes appearing on the Angel Tree more than doubles. Rebecca realizes it is more than one person can handle.
"People, in general, just want to believe in something good at Christmas. You know and if you want to call that magic, then yeah they want to believe in magic. And now because of me it is just going to be a big disappointment...unless..."-Rebecca.
Rebecca doesn't want anyone to be disappointed like she was all those years ago when Matthew's wish to save the diner came true, but her wish to stay in town did not, so along with Matthew and quite a few other town members...they start working on granting the wishes.
This was a delightful film that is exactly what Christmas should be about...helping others. I smiled, I laughed, I cried and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you, Hallmark!
Jill and Lucas are the best, I hope there are more opportunities to see these two.
"I know she wants to know your name...but maybe things won't be the same."-Matthew
The impromptu and unique song was the icing and cherry on top of this delicious holiday treat.
Jill Wagner plays Rebecca, a writer who writes an article about The Angel Tree from her old home town where a mysterious and anonymous benefactor grants the wishes left on the Angel Tree every year at Christmas. Rebecca's editor bribed her in to trying to find out who the benefactor is and write an article about them...promising that she can write more of the articles that she wants to write about real people if she does. Challenge accepted! Rebecca packs up her daughter (she is a widower) and goes back to her old home town for the first time ever and stays with her aunt. On the first day she runs in to her old best friend, Matthew, who is running his parents diner and doing a coffee roasting business on the side. The two fall back in to an instant affection...they have great chemistry, and are immediately set up on opposing sides as Matthew wants to help keep Angel anonymous. His nephew however joins Rebecca and her daughter on the hunt to solve the Angel mystery.
One interesting wrinkle, Rebecca's article attracts outsiders and the number of wishes appearing on the Angel Tree more than doubles. Rebecca realizes it is more than one person can handle.
"People, in general, just want to believe in something good at Christmas. You know and if you want to call that magic, then yeah they want to believe in magic. And now because of me it is just going to be a big disappointment...unless..."-Rebecca.
Rebecca doesn't want anyone to be disappointed like she was all those years ago when Matthew's wish to save the diner came true, but her wish to stay in town did not, so along with Matthew and quite a few other town members...they start working on granting the wishes.
This was a delightful film that is exactly what Christmas should be about...helping others. I smiled, I laughed, I cried and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you, Hallmark!
Jill and Lucas are the best, I hope there are more opportunities to see these two.
"I know she wants to know your name...but maybe things won't be the same."-Matthew
The impromptu and unique song was the icing and cherry on top of this delicious holiday treat.
The gift of giving unselfishly so others can have a Merry Christmas
Ed-Shullivan6 December 2020
The premise of this Christmas themed film is when a writer named Rebecca McBride (Jill Wagner) returns to her childhood hometown some twenty (20) years later after she writes about a childhood memory of a magical Christmas tree that grants wishes and they come true. Rebecca's boss agrees to let her return to her childhood home town to investigate and capture the follow up story as to who is the person responsible for the Angel tree and granting all these mysterious wishes.
Rebecca and her daughter Cassie (Cassidy Nugent) are welcomed to stay with Rebecca's favorite Aunt Mimi (Annabel Kershaw) while they are in town and it also gives Rebecca an opportunity to catch up with her childhood friend Matthew Anderson (Lucas Bryant). Matthew still owns the family diner in town which the family almost lost twenty (20) years ago until Rebecca convinced her young friend Matthew to write down his own Christmas wish and place it on the Angel tree to see if it comes true. Miraculously Matthew's wish placed on the Angel tree does come true as evidenced by Matthew now as an adult inheriting the diner from his deceased parents.
As Rebecca continues to try and discover who is responsible for taking the many wishes placed on the Angel tree and making them come true, she is constantly reminded by many of the townspeople who have benefitted from the Angel tree, but no one can tell her, or at least they choose not to tell Rebecca WHO is the person responsible for granting all the wishes placed on the towns Angel tree.
Mrs. Shullivan enjoyed the film so much she watched it twice. As for myself, it's a nice story with a good message which is for people to always consider helping out others who are in greater need than ourselves, in a "Pay It Forward" Christmas way. There is a feeling of hope, mystery, faith and of course romance all wrapped up in a big red bow on the Angel Tree. I give it a 6 out of 10 IMDB rating.
Rebecca and her daughter Cassie (Cassidy Nugent) are welcomed to stay with Rebecca's favorite Aunt Mimi (Annabel Kershaw) while they are in town and it also gives Rebecca an opportunity to catch up with her childhood friend Matthew Anderson (Lucas Bryant). Matthew still owns the family diner in town which the family almost lost twenty (20) years ago until Rebecca convinced her young friend Matthew to write down his own Christmas wish and place it on the Angel tree to see if it comes true. Miraculously Matthew's wish placed on the Angel tree does come true as evidenced by Matthew now as an adult inheriting the diner from his deceased parents.
As Rebecca continues to try and discover who is responsible for taking the many wishes placed on the Angel tree and making them come true, she is constantly reminded by many of the townspeople who have benefitted from the Angel tree, but no one can tell her, or at least they choose not to tell Rebecca WHO is the person responsible for granting all the wishes placed on the towns Angel tree.
Mrs. Shullivan enjoyed the film so much she watched it twice. As for myself, it's a nice story with a good message which is for people to always consider helping out others who are in greater need than ourselves, in a "Pay It Forward" Christmas way. There is a feeling of hope, mystery, faith and of course romance all wrapped up in a big red bow on the Angel Tree. I give it a 6 out of 10 IMDB rating.
Tree of good intentions
TheLittleSongbird10 May 2022
Nobody should watch Hallmark films with massively high expectations, their Christmas output particularly. If a Hallmark fan or wanting to see as many Christmas films as possible, expectations would understandably be higher. They are very formulaic with most of them being more of the same narratively and structurally, apart from sporadic attempts at changes of pace. There are a fair share of them though that are surprisingly above average and even good amidst the many average and less ones.
The 2020 output from Hallmark did vary in quality but was not near as bad or wildly uneven as it could have been (there have been worse years). None of the films from the batch were really terrible, and a small handful of them were actually very good. While not one of the best 2020 Hallmark Christmas films, 'The Angel Tree' is still worth watching, has a lot going for it and a good representation of why Jill Wagner is so popular with Hallmark.
Did find the film a little bit of a slow starter. The ending is once again on the pat side.
Also that the lead character's naivety was not buyable, neither was the reactions to what she does and what she intends to do.
However, a lot is good. It is visually pleasing and has a professional look. The appropriately festive locations especially. Enough of the soundtrack is nostalgic and pleasant enough. The direction is accomodating while not going through the motions. Wagner and Lucas Bryant don't overplay, any mannerisms not overdone, and neither do they hold back too much. Wagner especially is very good and the main reason to see the film. Their likeability shines through and their chemistry charms, personally actually thought it was there.
Moreover, the dialogue is tighter and less stilted than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story is heart warmingly charming and with the right amount of light heart, told simply but not too much so and not as overly predictable as it can be with Hallmark. The good intentions are sincere and are not laid on too thick. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. Actually cared for these characters, not the case with a lot of recently seen Christmas films.
Nice film overall, don't expect anything award worthy though. 7/10.
The 2020 output from Hallmark did vary in quality but was not near as bad or wildly uneven as it could have been (there have been worse years). None of the films from the batch were really terrible, and a small handful of them were actually very good. While not one of the best 2020 Hallmark Christmas films, 'The Angel Tree' is still worth watching, has a lot going for it and a good representation of why Jill Wagner is so popular with Hallmark.
Did find the film a little bit of a slow starter. The ending is once again on the pat side.
Also that the lead character's naivety was not buyable, neither was the reactions to what she does and what she intends to do.
However, a lot is good. It is visually pleasing and has a professional look. The appropriately festive locations especially. Enough of the soundtrack is nostalgic and pleasant enough. The direction is accomodating while not going through the motions. Wagner and Lucas Bryant don't overplay, any mannerisms not overdone, and neither do they hold back too much. Wagner especially is very good and the main reason to see the film. Their likeability shines through and their chemistry charms, personally actually thought it was there.
Moreover, the dialogue is tighter and less stilted than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story is heart warmingly charming and with the right amount of light heart, told simply but not too much so and not as overly predictable as it can be with Hallmark. The good intentions are sincere and are not laid on too thick. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. Actually cared for these characters, not the case with a lot of recently seen Christmas films.
Nice film overall, don't expect anything award worthy though. 7/10.
WOW! A Story That I Always Believed...
drippan-3928622 November 2020
This movie did an excellent job of my beliefs: Miracles happen everyday, just watch the people around you!
Jill Wagner hits it out of the park again but my big surprise was Lucas Bryant who usually plays a quiet but strong character. In real life, he's usually a crack up and he displays it in this movie. It was great watching Jill and Lucas play off each other in this capacity!! It seems as if they really enjoyed one-upping each other both in character and probably out of character...
The message was solid as wishes were granted and miracles happen.
One note: Did anyone else think a demon would pop out when they said "Angel Investigation"?
Jill Wagner hits it out of the park again but my big surprise was Lucas Bryant who usually plays a quiet but strong character. In real life, he's usually a crack up and he displays it in this movie. It was great watching Jill and Lucas play off each other in this capacity!! It seems as if they really enjoyed one-upping each other both in character and probably out of character...
The message was solid as wishes were granted and miracles happen.
One note: Did anyone else think a demon would pop out when they said "Angel Investigation"?
The Angel Tree
JoBloTheMovieCritic7 December 2020
Subtly good
Jackbv12322 November 2020
I hate this premise. Reporter is sent to town to do an expose on something or someone and either a promotion or even a job depends on it. In this case, as is often true, the hit piece is aimed at a selfless and generous enterprise. Often there is a betrayal involved. This is not intended to necessarily describe this movie, but it is the pattern most movies with this premise follow. In this movie, the reporter is Jill Wagner whom I can't imagine having a ruthless bone in her body.
This movie has some nice banter. There's some funny moments even beyond the dialogue.
Wagner and Lucas Bryant have instant chemistry. Cassidy Nugent also does a great job as Cassie, Rebecca's daughter.
There's a sub-plot based on what has usually been a surefire heart warmer. This device is becoming very common and predictable to the point where I fear the impact is becoming diluted. I won't say what it is, but you should probably recognize it when you see it. I did like the way it was handled and it still got a tear or two.
Rebecca's backstory develops into an interesting theme. I love the lesson about Christmas magic. Again, I don't want to spoil it and it's well explained by Rebecca.
In the end, it wasn't as predictable as I expected. As I already said, there are a lot of sentimental moments even if some of them are predictable. You might even call it sappy, but I like sappy.
This movie has some nice banter. There's some funny moments even beyond the dialogue.
Wagner and Lucas Bryant have instant chemistry. Cassidy Nugent also does a great job as Cassie, Rebecca's daughter.
There's a sub-plot based on what has usually been a surefire heart warmer. This device is becoming very common and predictable to the point where I fear the impact is becoming diluted. I won't say what it is, but you should probably recognize it when you see it. I did like the way it was handled and it still got a tear or two.
Rebecca's backstory develops into an interesting theme. I love the lesson about Christmas magic. Again, I don't want to spoil it and it's well explained by Rebecca.
In the end, it wasn't as predictable as I expected. As I already said, there are a lot of sentimental moments even if some of them are predictable. You might even call it sappy, but I like sappy.
Typical Feel Good Hallmark Movie
sirenamartel7 January 2022
This is the typical Hallmark Christmas movie script about a small town community where everybody is doing something good for someone or for others -- which doesn't really happen -- but it's why we watch. Jill Wagner is great in this movie and it's one of the best titles to watch of 2020.
Hire a military consultant
goddardgrl19 December 2020
Every time Hallmark does a movie involving the military they get it wrong. Why don't they hire a consultant?!
In this movie not only was her rank upside down, she didn't wear her beret correctly, her hair was below her collar and had a ribbon tied in it, she didn't remover her beret upon entering the building, her ribbons were messy, and she wore a hat while wearing a t-shirt and again while inside a building.
Our military deserves to be represented better. If Hallmark isn't going to do it right, they shouldn't do it at all- and like I said, this is just the latest in a string of military based movies containing blatant inaccuracies.
Too serious and boring and no one seemed joyful.
smithduke8 February 2022
Another one that got great ratings but it's a no for me. Normally I love Jill Wagner but she seemed so downhearted in this movie. Most of the characters were sad in my opinion except the annoying daughter. Yes, the premise of the Santa Tree was a sweet idea but overall this movie lacked joy. Personally, I prefer movies like The Nine Lives of Christmas. Romantic, humorous, and realistic. Lately I haven't been loving the most recent Hallmark movies.
A moving performance.*** A must see.
lexingtoncitygirl17 February 2021
Loved it, until....
radx-958647 December 2020
Loved it until the military mom showed up in some type of costume. Is it so difficult for wardrobe or costume or whoever to get an Army uniform right? Google is your friend. I literally laughed out loud. Almost discredited the whole movie for me.
Stupid
manfredpeter-0962827 October 2021
A decent Christmas movie.
nemman6322 December 2020
Good acting, decent little story, nothing really original or spell binding.
I don't regret watching it, but wouldn't watch it again.
The song with the guitar was pretty much cringe for me. I wonder if the actor was forced to do that, or if it was actually his idea (shudder).
I felt bad that he was captain friend zone through the entire movie until I saw that scene, then it all made sense.
Jill should have asked her husband...
swaranius1 January 2021
I enjoyed the movie and the chemistry between the main characters. However, the inaccuracies in the military uniforms really bugged me. The lead actress, Jill Wagner, is married to a major in the US Army - they should have asked him, or another military consultant, before airing this.
One of my Hallmark favorites for 2020
revchrisesq26 February 2021
Good Movie With Poor Attention To Detail
gjacoby-1349519 December 2020
I like Jill Wagner a lot - sweet girl, wonderful actor, always a plus - but the writers or whoever is supposed to make sure small things aren't overlooked were on vacation. Lucas' sister Zoe first underwhelmed with her heavy makeup while skyping with her son - bright red lipstick, full face makeup, all while in the field in Korea. Maybe she was influenced by the Korean business girls, but the ridiculous upside down rank insignia on her formulaic "surprise" return was the nail in the coffin for believability. Hallmark has done several movies with service members as main characters and got things basically right, but this was just too distracting for me to pay more than casual attention to it. Too bad it has to be such little things that torpedo the rest of a good movie...
Great premise and Jill is baaack!!!!!!
agambre23 November 2020
Per usual, if it's Jill it's a 10. She played her role perfectly. She is undoubtedly the best Hallmark actress. Lucas surprised me by talking a little more on this movie. There was instant chemistry between him and Jill. Cassidy (Cassie) cannot be outdone either. Her smart comments sometimes made it hilarious.
This movie warms your heart. Christmas is truly the season of giving and helping the less fortunate. Thank you, Hallmark!!!!
Too much inconsistency and flawed logic
TheCheeseMistress12 January 2021
The romance TV movie genre has a special privilege that no other genre has: a free pass for using the most insanely unbelievable plot devices in order to make the story move forward. This movie abuses this concept to the point that even hardcore lovers of cheesy romance with a well trained suspension of disbelief would find it impossible to stay immersed in the story without getting constantly disrupted by "What the hell...!" moments.
To give a non-spoiler example, an overweight military mom with a ridiculous amount of badges that would place her in the war hero category. But that's just to keep this review spoiler free, it gets much worse, especially in things involving the actual plot.
Besides that, it had the potencial to be a really nice movie: the chemistry between the protagonists works really well, the character development of the female protagonist is quite decent and, this is something rarely seen on these movies, child actors that are actually good and not completely cringeworthy.
I say watch it only if you're absolutely sure you have no better option.
Besides that, it had the potencial to be a really nice movie: the chemistry between the protagonists works really well, the character development of the female protagonist is quite decent and, this is something rarely seen on these movies, child actors that are actually good and not completely cringeworthy.
I say watch it only if you're absolutely sure you have no better option.
Was ok-
ts-000022 November 2020
Is it me.. But does things feel a bit underwhelming,with movies this year?
Feels like the seasonal magic,just isn't really there.
Maybe due to everything in 2020,but yet find myself enjoying older movies.
Not sure if it's the similar locations,filming during off seasons,props,fake snow that looks like rugs.. etc.
It would occasionally be nice,seeing movies in the actual cities.
Sure it's about cost effectiveness,but making tons of movies you lose quality too.
I did like the actors,the overall story was decent considering.
Just hope to feel more festive,in the weeks ahead.
Not very good
Ki201 December 2020
Best Movie This Year
dellataxes-3867730 November 2020
There is a real Angel Tree not far from my home that is hundreds of years old. The name "The Angel Tree" had me intrigued from the start. I was not disappointed!
This movie is about miracles, but also caring more for others than ourselves. Life itself is a miracle, a gift from God! Generosity and kindness are returned to us ten-fold when we give freely of ourselves. A smile is something we can all pass on, as well as our time.
Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant are two of my favorite Hallmark actors, so how could this not be wonderful. The chemistry between Jill and Lucas made the story more enjoyable. Both of them seem to have the same quirky sense of humor as well.
During these difficult times, I really want movies that make me laugh. This certainly did that! I have watched this movie 5 times, and each time it brings smiles and laughter. Love this movie!
This movie is about miracles, but also caring more for others than ourselves. Life itself is a miracle, a gift from God! Generosity and kindness are returned to us ten-fold when we give freely of ourselves. A smile is something we can all pass on, as well as our time.
Jill Wagner and Lucas Bryant are two of my favorite Hallmark actors, so how could this not be wonderful. The chemistry between Jill and Lucas made the story more enjoyable. Both of them seem to have the same quirky sense of humor as well.
During these difficult times, I really want movies that make me laugh. This certainly did that! I have watched this movie 5 times, and each time it brings smiles and laughter. Love this movie!
Hard to find Angel !
mohammedscignapy1 May 2023
I love this movie Seriously I liked this movie, it's a good Christmas movie that's both curious and fun, the person who is Angel is hard to see coming and it's finally a film that's not too predictable, it's a change of habit. Everything comes together to pass a good time so go ahead and try to find out who Angel is I won't say it here but it's not necessarily the person we were talking about at the beginning. I didn't know the actors of this film and they are rather good despite a few moments a little overplayed overall it's good and the soundtrack is nice. That's all I have to say good movie!.
Mixed bag of ornaments on angel tree
MickyG3333 January 2023
6.4 stars.
Something very crucial is missing from this story and the only thing I can think of is chemistry and pacing. It's a bumpy ride full of potholes. The writing is good, then odd, then good again, then bad. The chemistry is non-existent, the rest is standard. So without any sense of chemistry between most of the actors, the movie just falls flat as a pancake.
There are brilliant pieces here and there, but they don't make a cohesive and entertaining experience for the audience. The idea behind the secret angel is so clever, and this movie could have been a 9.0 if they had given us more flair. It felt like an episode of 'Full House' where the parents and the kids don't communicate, and they need Uncle Joey to turn things around, only there is no Uncle Joey in this film.
Something very crucial is missing from this story and the only thing I can think of is chemistry and pacing. It's a bumpy ride full of potholes. The writing is good, then odd, then good again, then bad. The chemistry is non-existent, the rest is standard. So without any sense of chemistry between most of the actors, the movie just falls flat as a pancake.
There are brilliant pieces here and there, but they don't make a cohesive and entertaining experience for the audience. The idea behind the secret angel is so clever, and this movie could have been a 9.0 if they had given us more flair. It felt like an episode of 'Full House' where the parents and the kids don't communicate, and they need Uncle Joey to turn things around, only there is no Uncle Joey in this film.
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