MovieChat Forums > A Heavenly Christmas (2016) Discussion > Hallmark already did this story before.....

Hallmark already did this story before...

posted 7 years ago by starline
10 replies | jump to latest

Not that I didn't like this new Christmas movie...(I like most all of them lol)...but I wonder if the writer of A Heavenly Christmas ever saw Hallmark's Christmas Magic (2011). The stories seem way too close to just be a coincidence. In the 2011 movie... a successful businesswoman...who puts her career first... dies in the icy winter weather. She was distracted doing business on her cell phone. She regrets she didn't do more with her life...other than business. She has a strained relationship with her dad.

The angel-person helping to guide her to heaven... sends her back to earth. She has rules...she can't tell anyone she's an angel...can't contact anyone she knew in the past...and she has to complete her earthly task by Christmas Day. She has to help a single man with a restaurant...who has an 8 year old daughter. The daughter hangs out at the restaurant a lot. Of course the little girl bonds with the pretty lady immediately. She even sees her as a real angel. The girl makes her an angel christmas ornament for the tree.

The restaurant-dad is into music. He plays the keyboard and writes songs. Of course the angel-lady and the restaurant owner are falling for each other. And like this new movie... we find out the lady is not really dead...but in a coma. Of course she wakes up... and ends up with the restaurant owner and his daughter.

Christmas Magic is showing on the Hallmark Mystery Channel this year... if you want to watch and compare.

Christmas Magic
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2112127/

[–] Jaouad-El 7 years ago

I'm pretty sure it's based on the same book , because everything is similar but the ending.

[–] starline 7 years ago

I see that Christmas Magic was originally a story 'Angel Duty' written by Joany Kane. (I noticed she wrote some other cute christmas movies too) But A Heavenly Christmas doesn't mention Joany Kane or Angel Duty. It just says written by Greg McBride.

[–] mcmiller53 7 years ago

*Spoiler alert*

You're right. I kept thinking, "Where have I seen this story before?". Sure enough, Magic Christmas is pretty much the same plot. Coma and everything. You'd think they'd choose a fresh vehicle for an actor of Shirley MacLaine's stature.

[–] disney213 7 years ago

Yes... But I think Shirley MacLaine wanted the paycheck and didn't care.. LOL

[–] cruiselife 7 years ago

I agree. I was very disappointed that they used the same plot as Christmas Magic. I really like Kristin, Eric and Shirley so I expected more. In general I love all Hallmark Christmas movies and have bought them. Not sure if I will buy this one. It's still lighthearted entertainment.

[–] starline 7 years ago

Yep...you'd think they'd come up with something more original for the special annual Hallmark 'Hall of Fame' movie. Not a rehashed plot from just a few years ago!

I watched hallmark's 'Journey Back to Christmas' last night... and it was much more fitting for the special 'Hall of Fame' movie!

[–] rightisright 7 years ago

I'm a connoisseur of the Canadian actors used in these Halllmark movies, and really like Derek McGrath in the original as the Angel.

[–] preppy017 7 years ago

I know some aren't happy with this movie; but while I also like Christmas Magic, there are things that I like about this movie:

The main characters crossed paths before the incident. In the CM, they never met and wouldn't have known each other if the accident didn't happen. Granted they each grew to like each other. But HC makes more sense in that everything goes back to the way it was and they ultimately cross paths again.

The leads seem better matched as a couple. I like Lindy Booth and Paul McGillion, just thought it was strange a young successful women would easily take to a more average looking guy. I know McGillion is generally good looking, but he was more average in CM, and seemed older than he was. Booth just seemed out of his league. I know that was the point, but still.

Having mentioned that, the storyline is the only thing I find weird in HC. They had to make this guy a "father figure". I don't know parents who would expect a bachelor brother (in law) to care for a girl. A boy might be more plausible. Oh, and inviting people you just met to your house...but I get it—there's a timeline.

[–] ChristianWoolf 7 years ago

Yeah, and Christmas Magic was much better.

Feel your heart beat.

[–] lovedml 7 years ago

Same plot but I liked this one better.