Christmas in Paradise (2007) Reviews

• Pleasant holiday offering

  caa8212007-12-16

  There may be SPOILERS following in the context of this site's parameters for same; however, I don't feel any of the following will spoil the story for new viewers, and most of these details become apparent before they occur; suspense is not an intended aspect here. This is a pleasant holiday film, with a different "Christmas locale" than usually found. The location in Puerto Rico is pleasant, but it's hardly a travelogue, in view of the limited island scenery contained - much less than one would assume in reading the ads for the presentation. The two leads are engaging and attractive, and the four children {in a sort-of reduced-in-number "Brady Bunch" (2 each vs, 3)} all are well-cast and provide believable performances and interactions among their characters. Even the flippant, acerbic older daughter doesn't portray this in an "over-the-top" manner, as would be expected in this type of "Lifetime" film - but plays her part realistically, and believably softens when appropriate within the plot. The two single parents (she suddenly widowed, he having been deserted by a selfish, spoiled, affluent wife), thrown together with their charges charges, is a theme which has been done in a number of filmed variations, whether a holiday flick or not. However, while this type of story, whether "Lifetime" or otherwise - and especially in the case of the former - usually has more contrivances than you can count, which often detract from the proceedings, I found this one to be a bit the opposite. While the ending was happy (and wholly-expected), and there was an absence of heavy romance between the leads, interrupted by the "villainess ex-wife," weeping and wailing all concerned, with resolution in the last scene -- I wished for at least some more spark, as well as some more romantic interaction between the divorced father and the widowed mother. These "Lifetime" flicks, and their genre - whether romantic like this one, or depicting characters menaced in some manner (usually a psychotic neighbor), have a tendency to have a climax which often comprises only a couple of minutes of the two hours. This is one where it would have been an improvement had it been longer. Still, it was a pleasant offering, worth perhaps 6 or 7*, but provide 8, based upon engaging actors and performances. Finally, an added positive facet is this seems to be the first "Lifetime" in memory shot in some place outside Canada.

• Very Good Movie

  sgwh2007-12-17

  It is so refreshing to see a movie that has realistic characters and a plot that is so pleasant. Well written, great cast and a beautiful setting. It reminded me of a "Brady Bunch" scenario in some ways. Both the single parents in the movie were very close to their children and cared that they had a child that was hurting. They were both trying desperately to reach out to their children and bring them to an understanding and acceptance of the situation they were in, one because of death and the second a divorce. The "villian" ex-wife did not get her way in this movie as in so many movies we see today. I wish all writers would give us the kind of movies that Lifetime is showing this month.

• I never get tired of this movie

  klh86572009-04-04

  I LOVE LOVE this movie. It's a nice family movie. There is not a lot of violence, cursing, sex. That makes for an excellent family movie. We need more movies like this one. The movie has class and shows that people can be happy again even after the hardest hit emotions. It may be centered around Christmas but I would watch it anytime. And watching Collin Ferguson also makes it SO WORTH IT!! Very nice on the eyes!! I have watched this movie every time it comes on TV and I will continue to do that until they FINALLY sell it to the public. I know that a lot of people share my want to have this movie available for purchase. I do not understand why it is not being offered.

• Pay Attention

  Christmas-Reviewer2016-08-10

  Two families disembark on a cruise to San Juan in celebration of Christmas. That is the film in a nutshell. One family consist of a Dana Marino and her 2 sons. This is their Christmas without the dad. HE past away earlier in the year. A second family consist of a Dan Casey and his 2 daughters. His wife abandoned the family. Dan and Casey meet and hit it off right away then complications arise when Dan's wife abruptly out of the blue shows up. What was nice about this film was the fact you need to pay attention to the little details in this film. Do not fold laundry or do other household chores when this film is on. Just watch it and enjoy it. There is a few surprises that you will miss if you are trying to multi task. Just sit down watch and enjoy. You will thank me later!

• A Little Bit of Movie Paradise

  gehewe2018-01-01

  This movie is a little gem. Three nice little boy-girl pairings between adults, 17 yr olds and 12 yr olds makes it interesting on different levels. Not really a dull moment in this movie. Good drama and emotion throughout. The best scene is a spanish/english duet of Silent Night- really beautiful. The setting is Puerto Rico where Spanish is spoken. I have really become a Colin Ferguson fan and he is his typical great. The female parent was also real good. The movie attempted to make something magical about the 3 Kings, but it really didn't succeed. There was enough good drama in the story to make it worthwhile.