The Christmas Wish

I'd seen this years ago, and bought the DVD through Amazon in 2015. I'm coming back to offer an opinion, because I believe this film is just so good. Friends and family have never heard of it, but when they watch it, they love it. I was not initially prepared for the request for boxes of facial tissues, though. There's been repeat business, too. I suspect this movie will become a family tradition.Made for TV in 1998, and based on a New York Times bestseller of the same name, "The Christmas Wish" tells of 28-year old Will Martin, reared by his paternal grandparents, struggling during the Christmas season to understand his recently deceased grandfather, a man he thought he knew well. His efforts are on two fronts: trying to reconcile his grandfather's seemingly bumpkin business mentality with Will's big-city approach to business as he tries to overhaul the family business, and seeking an answer to a mystery discovered in his grandfather's journals, one which he's certain will unravel the family's opinion of their beloved patriarch.There are a few elements of this film that feel influenced by "It's A Wonderful Life", not the least of which is the family business, but it's a homage, not a copy cat. At times it also feels a bit like a prototype for Hallmark Christmas movies, but with less formula and more depth. In the end it is it's own work, and a soulful one at that.Neil Patrick Harris and Naomi Watts are marvelous in their roles. Ian Meltzer is scene-stealing and charming as bold little Justin. Beverly Archer was also well-cast as the abrasive moral compass of the company. The real joy, however, is seeing Debbie Reynolds' nuanced act as the quiet, thoughtful, soulful grandmother Ruth. It's one of her best performances, in my opinion.

A very sweet story for Christmas time !

One of my favorite Christmas movies. Enjoy it every holiday and it never gets old.

This movie has two actors that I enjoy - Debbie Reynolds and Neil Patric Harris - which is why I chose it. It was a different plot than many of the Christmas movies that are sold today, and epitomizes the concept of believing what is right and good, despite reasonable doubt. Harris plays the grandson of Reynolds, who has inherited his grandfather's real estate business. He is attempting to get the business into a position that he can oversee from his home in New York, where he is a shrewd Wall Street trader. His grandmother tells him of her desire to know about a woman that his grandfather mentions in his journals, every Christmas Eve. The mystery is the main plot of the story, as Harris plays novice detective, while trying to manage the real estate office. As a result of both tasks, he learns more and more about his grandfather, his parents, and (of course) about himself. The mystery of the woman in the journal doesn't come to an easy conclusion, and along the way to solving it, Harris develops a desire to be the kind of person his grandfather was...generous and kind.

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies. It exemplifies what Christmas is supposed to be about. It is well written, performed well, and is uplifting and inspiring. There is a thread of romance through the story, but as others have written, the main storyline is a grandson coming home to take care of his grandfather's affairs after he dies. Grandpa had a real estate company and the grandson hires a manager to run it for him, but he clashes with loyal, long-time employees. His grandma is reading her husband's journals and sees repeated references of visits her husband made to someone named "Lillian", but there are no details. She asks her grandson, as his Christmas gift to her, to find out who "Lillian" is. He wants to get things wrapped up and get back to his real life, but between the problems in the real estate office , the mystery of Lillian, and his developing feelings for his grandpa's former secretary, he can't seem to pull himself away. Through it all, what they really learn is what the grandfather was all about. The ending took me by surprise the first time I watched it, and it continues to move me with each viewing.This is not "just another Christmas movie" with a syrupy storyline and a too-good-to-be-true ending. This is a quality production about a life well-lived. I wish it was still available new, as it makes a great Christmas gift.

I won't spoil the mystery but this is one of those truly charming tales that will make you cry, smile, and shake your head in wonder.A young man has come home to his small town roots to put his grandfather's affairs in order. The man has been living in the big city and his attitude is one of snobbish sophistication..."Grandfather was a nice old man, but that was THEN...times have changed."He has every intention of selling off his grandfather's company (and the dozens of jobs) and going back to his grand city life.Only he meets this young woman with a little boy...and Grandmother finds a little mystery that might make it real easy to leave his sainted grandfather's legacy behind.As he falls for the young woman and her child, he finds himself wanting to keep the memory of the good grandfather intact...and all the clues that points to an unfaithful old grandpa start to irritate; especially since EVERYONE is so sure that a more wonderful man never lived.Of course Grandfather wasn't having an affair. Of course he was as wonderful as everyone thinks he is.But...But just how good the man REALLY was will leave the viewer breathless.

Grandpa Martin is dead. His grandson Will Martin (Neil Patrick Harris) wants to grant Grandma Martin’s (Debbie Reynolds) Christmas wish―find Lillian. Lillian who, no one knows who she is except for dead Grandpa Martin. A few theories are put forth. Will takes his sweet time investigating. Along the way he meets a dancing ex-secretary and her precocious son. Will also has to make a decision about his Grandfather’s real-estate company. It’s all quite cozy. And he does finally find Lillian, although it’s not a happy find. In fact, it makes for a lousy Christmas present!

The Christmas Wish [DVD ]A good old-fashioned Christmas film incorporating forgiveness, mystery, Christmas spirit but with more substance than the usual Christmas film.Well acted by Debbie Reynolds, who plays the grandmother, and Neil Patrick Harris her grandson Will. He returns to help look after the family business following the death of his grandfather and, over the build up to Christmas, he comes to understand the good effect that his grandfather had on the lives of the community.They were, therefore, both surprised to find reference in his journals to regular contact that he had with a mysterious women called Lilian. Will's Christmas gift to his grandmother is to find out the identity of Lilian, with surprising results. The Christmas Wish [DVD

Long wanted film

Great dvd for relaxing and getting into the Xmas spirit

A pleasant Chistmas film and , nice story with Harris as the son ( " Was well known as " Dougie Howser " in days past) and a welcome return to one, who as a youth, I had a crush on, the lovely Debbie Reynolds.I have the film on Disc but the DVD will add to the enjoyment.

I like christmas movies and liked this one a lot.