Moviecut—The Rooftop Christmas Tree

source: The Rooftop Christmas Tree

Not sure why that guy posted that if you say it was good then you had something to do with the production. That isn't so. I had nothing to do with the movie at all. My family and I are always looking for not just good but very good movies for Christmas. This movie does its job. A new fresh story about a man who refuses to take down his tree because he puts it on his roof. Now that's an original story if I've ever read one. And its hard warming and well acted. Everyone is excellent and I'm sure you will get the Holiday Warm fuzziness when you watch The Rooftop Christmas Tree. Excellent in my book and a holiday favorite for our family for years to come.

I am all for the lead actor or actress of a romantic movie to look a bit older than the usual kids who run around Hallmark/Up movies getting married and these young brides who are bridezillas but the lead actress in this show, Michelle Morgan, looked too old to be paired with the likes of Stephen Huszar. I am sure she is great in other shows and I love Stephen Huszar especially in Ruby Herring Murder Mysteries but the pairing in this movie is not great. I think the show's hair stylist should have given Michelle Morgan a softer hairstyle with a fringe. She looked like a pale Christmas ghost and so was not appealing to watch. I think she could look beautiful but she did not in this show. She looked pinched and old. In contrast, the hair sylist gave Stephen Huszar a youngish, juvenile hair style. Was not a fan of his heavily swept back gelled hair. The lead actress looks so old that her mother and father look like her sister (believably as Michelle's younger sister at that) and brother. Easing up on the eyeliner may have made her look younger. And cheek blusher ... use the cheek blusher ... this is not the tale of the Christmas ghost. I don't like Sarah's character. She jumps to jealous conclusions about John's sister instead of finding out more. I thought lawyers dealt with facts rather than suppositions? And why does she look so unhappy, tired and discontented all the time? Even in a 'love scene' she looks like this. It was quite unpleasant watching her (just in my opinion, I am sure many others loved watching her). There was no basis for the first kiss between Sarah and John. No basis for the second or third kiss for that matter - it all happened too fast so the 'relationship' was not believable. And as a DPP, how many more times will John 'favour' Sarah and her clients? Yes I get that this was a case that required more heart than law but Lady Justice is blind and John is certainly not - doesn't inspire respect in us for his DPP role. Maybe he should go work in Sarah's company instead. He would have been a far more attractive romantic lead if he had more backbone or work integrity. He could have maintained his legal stance and still helped her somehow but he sort of just rolled over for his tummy to get scratched. Too vanilla for my taste. But casting and romance aside, this show is worth watching for the father and son reunion, that made me cry! Awwww ... the magic of Christmas never fails to touch the heart.

This is a great movie to sit and watch with family during the Holiday season. Great plot. Mystery keeps you guessing throughout. Wholesome and heartwarming but not religious. A neighbor insists on putting a Christmas tree on his roof every year and no one can figure out why he is even willing to go to jail and pay fines in order to keep putting it there for many years. Watch to find out! well worth watching. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 12/11/2020

While this entertaining romantic Christmas drama won't win any prestigious movie awards, this film stands out for its defying the stereotypical, traditional script that plays over and over in Christmas movies. Instead while this stand apart movie doesn't askew the typical overall plot outline nor become a serious, critically acclaimed drama, the script has a unique soft ordinary touch. In some ways this movie borders on the mundane, everyday characters, interactions, and underplayed real-life dilemmas and possibly more authentic resolutions and solutions without having to resort to the more splashy melodramatic roles and plot points seen in most Christmas films. This movie displays its enjoyable relevance from its ability to reflect a more natural presentation of humanity at Christmas.

Last Christmas period (started watching in October but reviewing in December after not getting so behind with my reviewing) saw me on a roll watching and reviewing many relatively recent Christmas films, as part of a quest to see as many as possible that had not already been seen and still favourites. It did turn out to an interesting experience, took me time to get through it though and am still watching and reviewing, but like all completest quests it proved to be a very variable one with good, bad and in betweens. 'The Rooftop Christmas Tree' is somewhere in the top-in between batch. It is not a great film, but it was worthwhile, well intended and sweet. A pleasant enough diversion as long as one doesn't expect too much, that does quite a lot right. Even if the traps that festive films can fall into, and frequently have done, are not completely avoided. Other festive films have fared far worse in what 'The Rooftop Christmas Tree' has wrong with it though. It could have been better. The story is formulaic and doesn't really have anything new or special to it to make it stand out, also not always being completely focused. Some of the dialogue doesn't sound very natural, and can be a bit corny and sappy like towards the end. Quite a bit better and more could have been done with the central relationship, it felt too rushed and underdeveloped and its change from how it starts to by the outcome suffers as a result and doesn't come over as realistic. Some of the supporting cast don't act particularly well, either not having much presence with little to work with or overdoing it. Plus the parents are too unrealistically young, the main character Sarah is supposed to be their daughter but could easily pass as their sister. Michelle Morgan having said that does play her quite likeably, but the best performance and one of the best things about the film is Tim Reid who is quite heartfelt in his well-defined role. The characters are not fully developed but most of them at least engage and don't feel too cardboard, despite the acting varying. The film is nicely shot and complements the authentically festive scenery beautifully. The soundtrack also captures the feeling of Christmas in a way that's infectious and nostalgic. Charm can be felt throughout 'The Rooftop Christmas Tree', the messaging is well intended and handled with force but also tact instead of preaching and a good deal of it is touching and has a very warm heart in its centre. In a nutshell, pleasant if nothing remarkable. 6/10

Michelle Morgan and Stephen Huzsar good in this UPtv movie. Tim Reid also 2020 has been an unusual year but UPtv,Lifetime have gave Hallmark both channels a run for their money not selling Balsam Fir trees,publications,wine,fancy galas,some different actresses and actresses.refreshing

Most of the story is not very interesting, it was probably scripted in one evening. Pretty blah all in all. yea, the actress and her 'dad' would make a very believable couple. At least it was not a 19 year old 'accomplished' lawyer, but rather a gal in her thirties,, so thanks for that. But the ending makes it worthwhile, it also addresses a problem in the US that is ignored by the mainstream media, so it was nice to see hallmark address this in a tactful manner, finally.

I want to start off by saying I enjoyed the film. I think it has a cute and unique plot. It was also nice seeing Tim Reid. That being said, there were some flaws. The lead actress looked way to old to have parents that young. They should've gotten older parents, because it just seemed super weird the whole time. Especially with the dad constantly calling her kiddo throughout. Also, the lead being so upset about the girl, the guy went out with, felt a bit odd to me. She was practically in tears, when they've only just met about a week prior. I'm also wondering why Mr. Landis didn't sue his wife for joint custody of his son. But, overall it's definitely worth the watch. It has a very good message and will warm your heart.