This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Christmas at Castlebury Hall
Plot Overview
While Jules Daly's sister
traveled abroad with the jet set, Jules (Katie McGrath) worked in
a curios shop in Buffalo and dreamed of greater things. Her sister
and brother-in-law died Christmas a year ago leaving her the
guardian of their two orphaned children Maddie (Leilah
de Meza) age 7 and Milo (Travis Turner) a teenager.
Her small potatoes job
tanked, her bottom basement nanny quit, and her main bank
account bombed. There's a knock on the door and a visitor at the
behest of her estranged father-in-law Edward, Duke of
Castlebury (Roger Moore,) invites them to spend Christmas with
him at his castle.
There they hearken to caroling by an orphanage. They select and
decorate a tree. They try British cuisine. Maddie is enchanted by
the fairy tale surroundings. Milo is taught some manly sports by
his Uncle Ashton, Prince of Castlebury. And Ashton's almost
fiancée Lady Arabella (Charlotte Salt) is provoked to
jealousy by the attention he shows the American Jules at the
Christmas eve ball.
Ideology
(Prov. 22:29) “Seest thou a man
diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not
stand before mean men.” Jules is the epitome of diligence.
She gracefully accepted the care of two spoiled children
(“You've got me”) rather than see them consigned to an
orphanage. Being suddenly a guardian she puts her all into it,
“I'm not a mother. But I'm trying to do the best I
can.” She has her work cut out for her as, “Milo seems
angry all the time, Maddie needs constant supervision, and now
the nanny's quit.” We see her put real effort into making a
sale at Buffalo Antiques where she works. Her boss Arthur facing a
slump is reluctant to let her go, saying “you're the best
salesgirl I've ever had.” She keeps fit with Jamnastics
lessons at the YMCA. She manages the temporary move to
England (“I do like to unpack, myself.”) She puts
herself into the Christmas preparations (“family all
decorates the tree together.”) She bakes cookies. She keeps
up on identifying various antiques in the castle and repairs a
clock. She has it all over Lady Arabella (“I really like
working, but you have never worked a day in your life.”)
She's more likely to stand before a prince than a gardener.
Production Values
“” (TV Movie 2011) was directed by Michael Damian. It was written by Janeen Damian and Michael Damian. It stars Katie McGrath, Roger Moore and Sam Heughan. The cast is very good. The lead is outstanding. Roger Moore's 007 89. Three out of the four child actors with speaking parts do okay.
It was certified TV–G. Exteriors of Castlebury Hall were filmed at Peles Castle, Sinaia, Prahova, Romania. The castle set and town scenes are impressive. There was good camera panning of the ball. Runtime is 1½ hours.
Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation
A very simple plot showcases informal
Americans loosening up the British grandees while children bring
delight to Christmas for everybody. I wouldn't call this a
religious movie per se, but the bedtime prayer and nun
shepherding the carolers puts it in the Christian positivity camp.
It should be a delightful Christmas movie for everyone.
Movie Ratings
Action Factor: Weak action scenes. Suitability for children: Suitable for all ages. Special effects: Average special effects. Video Occasion: Good for Groups. Suspense: A few suspenseful moments. Overall movie rating: Three stars out of five.
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