"Christmas Angel" was released in 2009. The main stars are Bruce Davison, K.C. Clyde, and Kari Hawker-Diaz.
This movie is about Ashley who feels alone as she searches for a job around Christmas. Her neighbor Nick offers her a job as his assistant with the condition that she can’t reveal that he is some sort of Secret Santa who helps people in need.
To read my review click here. I want to warn you this blog entry contains spoilers.
There are two things that really make this movie special to me. The first is the relationships. It mirrors how we as people can be at different stages of life and in different circumstances and how the people around us affect us so profoundly if we let them. The second is the spirit of giving. If Christmas could be summed up in one word I believe that word should be giving. In this movie it’s about giving without credit and for selfless reasons.
Ashley is someone who is basically alone. She has learned not to trust or rely on anyone. She has built up walls to protect herself. The only person she seems to have a real bond with is her neighbor, Nick. She has let him in a little bit and truly cares for him. They meet at a local diner for dinner every night. They live in an apartment building that is fairly basic and nothing fancy. The only other relationship Ashley has is with her dog Dash.
Nick is sort of an enigma at first. We slowly understand who he is and why he helps so many people as the movie goes on. It turns out he made a lot of money as a businessman but that work cost him his marriage. Losing the love of his life put things in perspective. He decided that rather than accumulating wealth and things, he would live modestly and give to those in need.
The third main character is Will, a journalist who is in trouble for an article and is demoted to a fact checker. Ashley and Will meet when they run into each other, literally. They accidentally end up with each other’s cell phones. They meet up to exchange cell phones. Nick encourages her to get to know him.
When Ashley and Nick are talking over dinner about her difficulty finding a job, he offers her a job as his assistant. Nick walks with a cane so we are left to assume that’s why he needs help. It turns out he is dying. He is grooming Ashley to take over for him after his passing as she is the closest thing to family he has.
Will’s interested in Ashley as a potential romantic interest. Unfortunately, he’s also searching for a story to regain his status as a journalist at the paper. He recognizes Nick as a famous CEO who just seemed to disappear from the business world. He sees this as a story. This is where it gets complicated. He wants to spend time with Ashley but Ashley is trying to protect Nick’s secret as Will tries to uncover it.
Nick slowly helps Ashley but getting her to see the people around her. Helping others gives her the pick me up she needs during the holidays. A time that makes her sad because she’s alone. By noticing others and focusing on them, she’s finding happiness.
When Nick becomes ill and has to be hospitalized, Will helps her with her giving projects. Ashley is heartbroken at losing Nick and seems torn between letting herself care for Will which could leave her alone again, or leaning on him. Luckily, Nick comes to the rescue. He agrees to meet with Nick and gives him permission to write the story about him being Secret Santa. He also tells him about Ashley’s past and how he wants Will to not give up.
You’ll have to watch to see how it ends. It’s a very special movie. The writing and acting are so superb it really creates emotions that you can feel with the characters. It will make you sad, it will make you happy, and it will make you feel the spirit of Christmas.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the movie. Happy Viewing!
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