‘SILVER BELLS’(2005)
Part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection, Silver Bells is a special kind of holiday presentation. Its leaning isn’t one of spiritual matters, but it does portray the power of family ties.
Silver Bells (2005) Hallmark Hall of Fame Review
The Bryne family owns a Christmas tree farm in Nova Scotia, where each year they work hard to sell a small piece of joy to families. All Christopher (Tate Donovan) wants is to someday leave his business to son Danny (Michael Mitchell). Danny loves photography, and it causes lots of tension between the father and son. Each year the family, Christopher, Danny and younger sister, Bridge (Courtney Jines), travel to the big city of New York where they sell the trees. Just before they leave for home, Danny and Christopher get into a fight, and Danny makes the choice to run away.
A year later, Danny is still nowhere to be found even with one of New York’s finest on the case. Now the relationship between Bridget and her father has become strained while Christopher devotes much of his time to finding his son. Little does Christopher know that his life is about to intersect with Catherine O’ Mara (Anne Heche); a pretty photography museum employee. For a while now, Catherine has been secretly helping Danny, but as she gets to know Christopher and Bridget, she comes to question where her loyalty should be.
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‘SILVER BELLS’(2005): A HALLMARK HALL OF FAME CHRISTMAS TITLE. #Movies #ChristmasMovies #MovieArchives Share on XAlthough its journey in getting there might be rough, Silver Bells is a story of forgiveness, loss and the importance of family. The first time I saw this, I think my family did enjoy it as a heartwarming Hallmark production, but it didn’t have that favorite “it” factor. The more I re-watched it, the more I did enjoy parts of Silver Bells. This line of production does tend to have a deeper message, and this is the same. There are some faith themes albeit subtle.
What this Hall of Fame line does well is how it blends simple with depth. This film has a sweet subplot that helps to balance out the more emotional turns. The crux of the film is really the father-son relationship; Danny attempts to make his father see his dreams, and his father doesn’t give sufficient time to be fair. Something I really don’t care for about the film is what a jerk Christopher (called “Christy” in the film, something I also don’t care for) is. Furthermore, this isn’t ever fully resolved. Brief moments make us think he’s learning, and then he’ll revert to his usual self.
Silver Bells is another entertaining Hallmark that is worth a rental. It’s a good production full of beautiful scenes and the landscape in Nova Scotia (I have no idea where it’s filmed) is stunning. It’s worth the two hours even if you’re just hoping for a little festive cheer.
Content: two men get into a scuffle and throw punches. Someone falls off of a 40-feet high rooftop and we don’t know if they life or die (for a time). There is lying between father and children. The film is PG.
Oh, watching Hallmark movies is starting to be a tradition for us in the Christmas season. This movie though is not one of my favorites-I don't like some of the angst since I can relate a little. Our absolute favorite is the Christmas Card.
Sounds so cute. I love Hallmark movies.
btw, love the background
Livia – sorry you didn't like this one as well. For me, it is one that has definitely grown on me. As for The Christmas Card, I LOVE that one – so sweet. =)
Hallmark is awesome when it comes to heartwarming Christmas tales – there is no one better.
Juju – it is super cute! I hope you enjoy it if you see it. =)
Oh! Thanks! I actually was going to go more "modern" as opposed to "country" but the background I wanted wouldn't "tile" right so I did something different. I always like your whimsical silhouettes that are featured on your blog – they always look tailor-made to match the name of your site. =D
This movie is an adaptation of a Luanne Rice novel and your post about the movie made me decide to reread the book for Christmas this year! I also watched the movie and though it's quite nice on its own, it's really no match for the book! They changed quite a lot of things, but most of all, there was hardly any chemistry between Christy and Catherine and if Luanne Rice is good at writing one thing, it's chemistry!
I'd not read the novel on which this movie is based, so that is great to know, birdienl! Thank you! Generally speaking I think a lot is changed in the journey of a book-to-screen adaptation. Perhaps I should read the novel sometime because this film has definitely grown on me since the first time I saw the it on TV.
I am so glad you dropped by! I hope you do so again – often and soon! I always love my readers input. =)
I've been reading your blog for some time now, but never commented yet! As I don't have a Blogger account myself, but a Livejournal account, it's quite hard to keep track of comments I post on blogs, but I'll definitely comment again, you write about such interesting things!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that and am glad to know you are one of my reader's. I'd love to have your input on my posts, so please do stop in again sometime. =) Happy you dropped in.