In the same way that 'Murder, she wrote' was a murder mystery series for retirees, this immediately makes its mark as a TV movie geared for a very niche audience. A widower in his golden years, a distant family ambivalent about travel, unfamiliarity with or hostility to certain modern social sensibilities - anyone can enjoy it, but this is written and intended for those of advanced years. Considering how comparatively few titles there are for this market, I suppose it's rather refreshing in a way. In fact, more so than I would have thought - this bears many hallmarks of carbon copy holiday romance films that proliferate every year, only without the pretense and ham-handedness that can make the genre overbearing. It's not an essential, riveting classic, but 'The Christmas wife' is gratifyingly charming and enjoyable.
Nigh all about the film echoes the same specific slant. Chief cast members Jason Robards and Julie Harris both claimed a large number of credits and accolades in their careers, yet outside of a few particular titles, they are best known for work of which the intended audience is probably most familiar. Their characters share mildly sharp dialogue - barbed, but in a restrained manner - reflecting their personalities and idiosyncrasies. John (Robards) is warm but expectant, with notions demonstrating frequent recollections of his late wife. Iris (Harris) is friendly yet guarded, defying John's assumptions and in some ways serving as a foil. Together, their repartee builds scenes that indicate a seeming purpose of totally embodying the broader genre of romantic dramedies, yet with a deeply relaxed, unbothered tone and pace crafted wholly to match the simple comfort and entertainment of an older generation.
As simple as the premise is, and the narrative - little more than the chance meeting of two people over a weekend - it's hard not to love this. The cast is swell, and the story is wonderfully well written - heartfelt, genuine, and uncomplicated. For all the grand embellishment that characterizes the vast majority of cinema generally, and holiday movies especially, it's a welcome change of scenery to sit for a feature so unadulterated. With that said, anyone anticipating the more bubbly, frenetic stylings of Hallmark, Lifetime, or Hollywood Christmas comedies will be put out. For the intended audience, however - and definitely for anyone open to the sort of low-key fare that this represents - 'The Christmas wife' is disarming, endearing, and curiously satisfying. It's the type of picture one can truly unwind to - and is, to my delight, worth far more than the 73 minutes it takes to watch.
Highly recommended!
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