Customer Reviews

The Christmas Wife

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is a surprisingly good drama for a lazy, frosty, Christmas-season evening. It's well-acted, well-written, and well-crafted -- definitely sentimental, but without being fluffy or soppy. The cast is led by veteran acting greats Jason Robards and Julie Harris, which in itself should make the movie worth a consideration.

Robards portrays John Tanner, a recent widower who doesn't quite know what to do with the changes imposed upon his life. When the annual family trip to the cabin for Christmas is jeopardized, he attempts to rescue his traditions in a radical way: he finds a dating service and "hires" a woman to be his family and spend the Christmas weekend with him. Julie Harris is the sad, perceptive, and mysterious woman, Iris, who agrees to be his "Christmas wife" - but only if he will ask her no questions about herself.

This is a quality "G" movie (at least, the version shown on television). At the risk of sounding sexist, I would say this is a woman's movie, but some men may find it not objectionable. Children may not be interested in a character (as opposed to action) movie about middle-aged people, but if they are, their parents won't have to worry about what they're watching. Adults who have some experience with age or loneliness may discover a tale striking quite a responsive chord.

This short drama was satisfying to watch even though there wasn't much action. It was almost like a two-person play. It tells how an apparently strong person copes with the dramatic change in his life caused by the death of his dear spouse. Christmas traditions are not the same, so the widower adapts by renting a companion. Jason Robards and Julie Harris are delightful to watch, so professional.

If you're over 50 this movie will be a great rainy afternoon delight. It is NOT a comedy! It is a hard look at life and what it brings. Jason Robards and Julie Harris are two of the classic actors of the last century. Just to see them act together is enough, but the sweet story of how life throws rocks in our path and the way we remove them is great! Treat yourself to perfection!

The Christmas Wife has been one of my all time favorite movies for over 10 years now and I never get tired of watching it.
As a matter of fact I watch it at least 3 times every Christmas season and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes good sentimental movies.

We own at least thirty Christmas movies and they form the nucleus of our holiday celebration. We bought this one last year and would recommend buying from this year's crop first. The actors are fine but the cineamatography is flat and dreary in places. Okay to fill out the season but not on my first team.

The acting is good, however it does leave one guessing.

The actors are a delight and they do maintain the viewers interest. HOWEVER; The ending of this picture leaves one suspended above the play.
To me, this film is a fill in the blanks movie that leaves the viewer wondering if this is all there is. Still I found it a delight to watch and a very wholesome picture.

The storyline has been well covered--too well covered at times--so I won't duplicate. I had seen this movie on the market for years and had been curious about it but hadn't watched it. I just recently bought this edition on DVD in a second-hand store. It wasn't at all what I expected, but it wasn't necessarily a disappointment. I think if I had been watching it at Christmas time it might have been a downer, because during the holiday I like "feel-good" movies. Though this may not qualify for that catagory, or the typical "happily-ever-after" scenario, to me it didn't end on a bad note. There was hope and a positive direction in the man's life.

*Spoiler Alert*
I did, however, ache for the character played by Julie Harris as she returned to a life that obviously didn't hold the happiness she might have found with Robard's character. I think she played her part so well and it left a haunting sadness when she returned home.

It is true that there is no great action or any laugh-out-loud moments in this film, but there are moments of warmth and awareness and a sensitivity to feelings that makes it worthwhile. We could use more quiet, reflective entertainment in this world. I would have given it 3 1/2 stars if possible.

Not many people will like this movie. It is one of those, that is pure dialogue (Away From Her).

If you like intelligent, beautiful, sad movies. You may like this.

For this type, I think this film is very well made.

Sweet,sentimental movie that intrigued my youngest three children and disappointed them at the end. They wanted the traditional happy ending. The mystery kept my husband and I curious and wondering,too. It is a well made film for people not jaded by video games and fast action flicks. It made me think quite a bit afterwards, about marriage, family, and loyalty.

The two lead actors in this film are always worth seeing, and the entire team has produced a fine holiday play especially appealing to the growing senior market. However, Helen Norris' original short story is a classic. If Henry James can be suitably filmed, then perhaps Norris can as well. Her vision, theme, and atmosphere were well worth maintaining.