MovieChat Forums > The Christmas Card (2006) Discussion > Cute movie, but it would have been bette...

Cute movie, but it would have been better if . . .

posted 17 years ago by dakotajolong
11 replies | jump to latest

Faith's two suitors had been more evenly matched. In looks, work ethic, lifestyle, choice of jobs, and level of devotion to the heroine, Paul was too obviously the loser. Cody was the alpha male in comparison to Paul, who knew from the moment our hero arrived in Nevada City that he was history. Yet I kept watching till the inevitable conclusion, when the two lovers fated for each other got together. That's what I wanted, and that's what this romantic comedy promised. But the show would have been more interesting if the two guys had been a little closer to being equals. Besides, I always feel a little bit sorry for the rejected fiance.

The lead actors were fine. John Newton did a decent job and did have chemistry with Alice Evans. Nice to see Lois Nettleton, and Ed Asner was great as usual.

The pace was leaden, though, and the script merely serviceable. I got a kick out of the fact that the scriptwriter, who might have chafed at the task of positively portraying not just the military but the logging industry, got off a shot at U.S. intervention in the Middle East, with Cody's line about not invading places where one is not wanted.

[–] cinderella04 17 years ago

I agree about the suitors being more evenly matched. You don't want to know my reaction when I first caught sight of the boyfriend. However, I wonder if that wasn't done on purpose. Faith is not a materialistic, shallow woman. I don't know that looks would be her sole reason for being with and loving a person. Sure, it's an added bonus that Cody is gorgeous, an all-around great guy, and very kind and gentle (the alpha male, as you said). Don't know if the writers/director would put that much thought into it, but who knows.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cinderella04 17 years ago

That's true. A lot of people are like that. I think Faith's character was one of them.

[–] preppy017 13 years ago

I agree they should have been more evenly matched, but it doesn't help that the fiancées aren't believable together in the first place. How could a simplistic woman get involved with a very sophisticated guy that she clearly has nothing in common with at all? And why keep sticking with the rich, but average Joe when GI Joe is clearly interested?

I also thought the actress playing Faith (Alice Evans) was a little too plain to justify two guys fighting over her. I kept thinking Cody (John Newton) was wasting his time pining for her when a guy like him could easily pick from a variety of women who would gladly go for him.

[–] ss5mmyers 13 years ago

Classic rich guy vs poor guy scenario and the result is always the same. Of course it didn't help that her parents and friends were all but forcing them to be together. She'd been with her fiance several years and they try to shove her on this guy they knew for a few days. His only merits being he was in the army and he can cut wood. They don't worry at all he could be lying or even have been discharged for PTSD and becomes violent and erratic.

[–] cosmic_quest 13 years ago

Although I didn't particularly like the character of Paul, it's true that the family knew nothing really about Cody yet they invited him into their home and were foisting their daughter onto him. He could have been anybody.

"I always pretend to root for Gryffindors but, secretly, I love my Slytherin boys."~ Karen, W&G

[–] greenbudgie 8 years ago

The father in particular seemed to be acting irresponsibly. He was so caught up in a type of soldierly camaraderie with a stranger. Interesting but strange.

[–] adouthit-1 8 years ago

Well he did risk his life to save him so I guess he figured he must be a good guy.

[–] RedundantSquash 8 years ago

To be fair Rosie kept telling Like to stop interfering and to leave it up to Faith to decide what she wanted. The only people who could be said to be forcing Cody and Faith together would be Luke and Richard but in their defense they could see how poor Faith and Paul's relationship was (what kind of couple only sees each other a handful of times a year)and Cody was a seemingly decent hardworking guy who was obviously in love with Faith.

I think if they had made both Cody and Paul closer as characters the plot would not have worked as well. If Paul was an attentive loving and understanding boyfriend then Faith would have never had her doubts about their relationship and begun to fall in love with Cody. For the purpose of the story they had to be as they are.

"Our critique began as all critiques begin: with doubt"

[–] preppy017 7 years ago

I don't think they had to be closer morally, but at least aesthetically. I think Paul would have been better as a wealthy local ranch owner that everyone assumed Faith would marry. I still can't see Faith as the type to date a City Guy in a Porsche when she's a Wholesome Country Gal.

[–] RedundantSquash 7 years ago

They had to have Paul in a profession that kept him away from Faith to create the hole for Cody to fill hence the expensive car and suits. I see where you are coming from but I feel the character of Faith would be able to see the person behind all the possessions and profession just as she does with Paul.

"Our critique began as all critiques begin: with doubt"