source: A Fall City Christmas

This movie charts the trajectory of a young man trying to find his way. A failure at school and in society, he returns home for Christmas having nowhere else to go. In the days leading up to Christmas, he is faced with a number of situations that can help him discover how to live his life. Fall City is quite realistic because it's so messy. Jon's life is a mess, but most of the other characters also have issues, too. Yet all of them are seeking something better; they somehow know that they should be better. For example, Jon's father is coarse and unwelcoming when he returns home, but later we see him engaging Jon as a father should. And Jon's post office colleague seems to have things all figured out, but ultimately we learn that he is grappling with family problems. Even as Jon tries to keep a job and to do beneficent things, he is flummoxed. Life keeps throwing him curveballs that he struggles to handle. And he keeps making poor decisions. This movie doesn't exhibit a straight line of good deeds leading to rewards. Like in many Christmas movies, there's a romantic interest, but that relationship's trajectory is unexpected, too. Even the precipitation isn't the usual Christmas trope: It rains a lot. That's expected for western Washington state, but unexpected for a Christmas movie. Through all this mess, there is a valuable lesson about generosity. As Pastor Adam says, "Any gift worth giving comes at the price of a sacrifice." Jon finally learns to give sacrificially and, in the process, gains a whole lot.

Great story of redemption! Low budget but meaningful!

*Some spoilers ahead* A couple production mistakes like the scene in the bar between Jon and Derek when Jon stands up (in the frame sequence, Derek is drinking, then he's facing Jon, then he's finishing his drink) and in the scene when Jon is reading the letter meant for Derek (the text being heard isn't the same as the written which just takes away some of the "magic". A couple bad performances here and there but overall a pretty nice movie that surely grants you a good hour and a half. As said in the title, this movie doesn't have one of those plots that we're all tired of. Entering my "revisit list"

This movie takes you up & down and really touches the heart. I particularly loved the lead, Dashiell Wolf. What great acting that can take a s through such a miriad of emotions. Great movie 👍👍👍👍👍👍

An example of Hallmark Christmas story well performed and well written.

This is an indie film and it definitely shows in the production but i love movies like this. it's strength is the characters and the way the story organically unfolds. it's not cliched or formulaic. it's feels like real life and you can relate to all the characters in some way. the acting is solid and believable for the most part. the male lead especially has a way of drawing you in and you believe his emotions and his journey. the female lead is also very engaging, believable and charming. the little daughter steals every scene she's in. i love the parents and their interactions with the lead and i even like the way they handled the "antagonist". it's beautifully shot and the music is haunting and perfect. i look forward to seeing more from this director and this team.

I gave it 8 stars because it needs a boost. It's a touching and heart-warming story about a man down on his luck and needs 'a break'. Well, it might be somewhat far-fetched, but it's a movie and most are all fantasies, especially those around Christmas time. Give it a watch and you might just be pleasantly surprised. I didn't know what to expect, but I thought it was very well done and quite enjoyable. Yes, it's like a b-rated or indie movie, but the acting is pretty good. I think it deserves a much higher rating than it currently has. It's not mediocre for sure.

I just randomly watched this movie without any expectation. And after watching this movie i felt satisfied. I totally adore this movie from starting to ending. Only some people can understand the depth of these kind of simple movies. A person who have seen failure and hit rock bottom can absolutely understand some scenes. Both actors did great job. I loved it!

Jon, the protagonist of "Fall City," must have the worst luck of anyone on the planet! Even when he returns home to spend the holidays with his parents, the poor guy can't catch a break. While this Christmas film had an occasional uplifting moment, the overall effect on poor John was hardly a Christmas to remember! The film makes it clear that Jon had a rough upbringing. He had a close relationship to his grandfather, whose death impacted both Jon and his absent father. Jon wasn't a stellar student, and eventually he stopped going to classes, was placed on academic probation, and finally dropped out of college in Washington. He never sustained a job and eventually spent time in prison on a felony charge. In fact the film's opening scenes shows Jon engaging in petty theft after being evicted from his apartment for failing to make rent. He returns home for the holidays, and his parents greet him by insisting that he pay them rent! Jon gets a temporary job in the local post office, mopping floors and kowtowing to his supervisor who was his nemesis as they were growing up. Eventually, the two men will be competing for the job of assistant manager at the post office. Guess who will get the job? Eventually, the two men will be competing for a woman? Guess who will get the girl? The highlight of Jon's Christmas is meeting a nice young hair stylist who appears to be a single mom. But, no, the divorce is not finalized, and the man to whom she is separated is Jon's rival at the post office, Derek! John breaks bread with the young woman named Olivia and her little girl Adriel. Olivia also gives Jon a haircut that completely transforms his physical appearance. Inside, Jon is changed by the growing friendship with and attraction to Olivia. Of course, there will be major complications when Olivia considers reuniting with Derek. In the meantime, Jon cannot avoid the long arm of the law, even when he dresses up like Santa Claus and delivers letters to children throughout the town. The little kids had written letters to Santa at the North Pole c/o the post office, and Jon took the time to write personal replies. Both Jon's father and mother may turn on a dime and become snippy and confrontational with their son. Olivia too is unpredictable in her mood swings, as she faces the pressure of financial insolvency. Sadly, the most soulful encounter for Jon is a long-distance call from his brother, who is serving in Afghanistan. At one point in the film, Olivia joyously cried out, "Now this is Christmas!" as she and Jon were listening to Christmas songs. Unfortunately for Jon, he will be spending Christmas Eve sleeping under a pile of leaves as the police are hot in pursuit. And Christmas Day will not bring any more joy to this most unlucky soul. This will be a bummer of a Christmas for Jon!