Random Acts of Christmas (2019 TV Movie) User Reviews

Thankful this one is different

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 19 November 2019]

The casting works in this movie. Erin Cahill is pretty as a journalist and Jaclyn Smith looks believable as her mom. Kevin McGarry looks better and less goofy than in other Hallmark movies. Patrick Duffy plays helper to Secret Santa.

The story isn't the usual thing about a struggling business. There is a tycoon in disguise being Secret Santa. He secretly makes life better for her while pretending to be a journalist like her. A bit of a Prince in disguise type story.

It's nice to see the different things Secret Santa does. Watchable.

Festive kindness

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 13 October 2020]

Really did like the premise for 'Random Acts of Christmas', seen as part of my Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas film completest sake that has been happening on and off for a while now, which sounded like something a little different from the usual Lifetime Christmas film formula. Lifetime's Christmas output is expectedly very variable, with some surprising hits, some duds and a lot of stuff somewhere in between. Have seen the leads in other things and with mixed success.

There is not an awful lot to add here reviewing 'Random Acts of Christmas'. It was pleasant and acceptable enough, with nothing offensive or out of the ordinary. As far as Lifetime's 2019 Christmas efforts go, 'Random Acts of Christmas' is somewhere in the middle and a film that started well but ran out of gas. The premise was very appealing but the film could have done quitwe a lot more with it, didn't think the potential was followed all the way through.

Good things outweigh the cons just about. It looks good in particularly the scenery. The music is pleasant and not intrusive, not always the case with Lifetime (even more Hallmark) films. The script is far from perfect, but is sweet in places and raised a number of smiles here and there. The story is likewise very flawed, but is very charming and warm-hearted for the first two thirds with an authentic atmosphere.

Most of the acting was good, with two immensely engaging leads as characters not hard to root for and Patrick Duffy being a standout. The chemistry between Erin Cahill and Kevin McGarry is sweet and natural.

Not all the performances work, especially Jaden Oehr over-compensating quite embarrassingly to the point that his character became hard to take. Also found Hamza Fouad annoying in the third act. Which is where the film goes downhill, where things become very contrived, ridiculous and rushed.

Complete with a cheesier ending to usual and at times being too sugary sweet. As said above, the film could have done a lot more with its relatable concept. It was very easy to relate to at first and there was a while where things didn't feel too predictable, later on the premise was given short shrift and the story became conventional Lifetime and very formulaic.

Overall, decent but not great with a good first two thirds but a pretty weak final one. 6/10

Batman, Lois Lane and Secret Santa

[svaihingen · 8/10 · 28 November 2019]

A wealthy do-gooder with a wise butler who projects Christmas images in the sky, ala the Bat Signal, and a journalist, ala Lois Lane, who falls for his alias while unknowingly working to expose his true identity as the Secret Santa who has been amazing the citizens of Gotham, no, er um, Chicago. Less compelling story arc than the better Hallmark Christmas movies, and an overly earnest kid actor, but saved by good production values and enfaging performances by the leads and Patrick Duffy and Jacqueline Smith.

I hoped it would be better

[jrbusiness-64499 · 6/10 · 22 October 2020]

I really wanted to like this movie because I liked the sound of it, but I was a little disappointed.

The idea behind it was good. It was Christmassy but for some reason, I just didn't like it as much as I wanted to.

It was alright but I feel it could of been better.

Will I watch it again? Probably not.

I watched this as part of my 100 christmas movies before Christmas day challenge which made my total to 20.

Seen and unforeseen

[nestorbgd · 7/10 · 1 January 2021]

Christmas season is the perfect time for cheesy Christmas themed love stories and this one fits the description. Plot may have some originality, but the rest sadly doesn't. 7 is really my Christmas gift to the movie.

Poinsettias grow in Mexico

[lyndavanleeuwen · 6/10 · 10 December 2019]

Where on earth can you put poinsettias outside in snow?! We tried delivering them for Christmas one year and they perished in our car, because they can't survive in winter! Another Hallmark using a hairdresser who thinks every lead actress must have ringlets!! C'mon, give them adult hair, not children's! And wearing white coats sitting outdoors on benches sure don't stay white. Doesn't anyone ever wear winter boots, always shoes through the snow! Lol! Child was likeable, just enthusiastic, btw.

McGarry unmasked

[LooseWayne · 7/10 · 18 November 2019]

My problem isn't with the acting (which is superb) but the storyline's problematic progression. McGarry's plan is predatory. He plays chess with people's lives, on Christmas to boot. Why does he need to fetishize Christmas to gaslight her to win her heart? McGarry's "Secret Santa" is a monster, only interested in the hunt, only concerned with the conquest. McGarry does not connect with a single person, he only gives them stuff. Can he feel love? McGarry's method acting *is* quite impressive. His sociopathic charm is palpable, intense, even compelling. McGarry tries so hard to be human and I wholeheartedly *believed* his struggle. However, it was hard to watch, considering people like McGarry do exist. 7/10. Chilling performance. A warning to us all.

So great!

[MIssM19 · 9/10 · 3 April 2020]

This is not a secret santa within a group of friends, it's a good samaritan who feels like doing good for the people of his city. Kevin McGarry plays the charming Colin, the head of a company who is doing this random acts of Christmas. Erin Cahill plays the journalist who follows this story. Colin, who introduced himself as Cole to Sydney, passes as a journalist who is following this story as well. Together, they "chase" these acts.

It was amazing. I really enjoyed it. It's different than the movies Hallmark offers. Kevin McGarry was the reason I watched this (blame When Calls the heart) and instead I finish this movie with a huge smile. The leads were amazing, great chemistry, and beautiful moments as well.

My only complain was the final act, which was kind of ridicolous, and the overexcited child. I get it, it's Christmas, but he was excited about EVERYTHING.

I'm worried about some of the comments in this section, you won't find an Oscar worthy movie or Oscar worthy actors. Just sit, and enjoy this during that magical time of year. I'm watching this during quarantine in April and I just wished I had watch this when it premiered like 5 months ago. It definitely would have gotten me in the Christmas mood. Might watch again someday.

Not a great christmas movie

[shopaholicdreamer · 3/10 · 30 November 2022]

I don't understand how this movie has such a high rating. I watch a lot of these types of christmas movies and enjoy them even though most of them are so predictable and follow the same formula. There's just something off with this movie! The two leads don't have much chemistry, the child actor is pretty bad, the story it self is not that good and a bit stupid honestly. And some of the set design is ridiculous, it's like they googled "rich guys house" and copied eveything. I also spent a lot of time annoyed at the male leads helicopter being in the background of every shot from his company factory/show room, probably to remind us that he is a very important and rich person. Skip this one if you like your christmas movie of choice to have a bit more substance!

Worst child actor

[lucretia-80315 · 8/10 · 23 November 2019]

I loved the movie and theme. It's a movie I will watch more than once. However, the child actor was the worst. I'm thinking he was related to Lifetime staff.

So much potential

[doctorsmoothlove · 3/10 · 30 December 2019]

"Random Acts of Christmas" is a 2019 Lifetime Christmas marathon movie. In this film, a reporter investigates the purveyor of several random acts of Christmas. The mystery benefactor known as "Secret Santa" gives out candy canes, hot coco and other holiday treats and even stages artificial snow for passersby to go sledding! What a guy.

The reporter is played by Erin Cahill who brings a lot of energy to the role. Her face and eyes light up as she connects dots about the identity of the benefactor or shares cute moments with Kevin McGarry's character. Kevin presents himself as a fellow journalist who is also following the story. He always seems to know what will happen next or show up whenever a random act is happening...

Of course, Kevin is Secret Santa. He is also the owner or founder of a multi-million dollar business, I guess? The film doesn't make it clear. I was curious to know more. We learn a lot about the heroine and nothing about him. He is just a rich boring Hot Guy. Kevin has a butler who may or may not be his father. The two of them look similar and he seems to know a lot about Kevin. Again, this was left unspoken. The butler character is another stereotype of the supportive parental figure. I didn't mind this though. The butler offers some insight into Kevin's past.

We learn a bit more about Erin. She is a single mother of a little boy who really wants an airplane toy for Christmas. She tries a lot to find it for him and is not able to locate one. She also wants to make sure that the benefactor isn't discovered. This is, of course, what Kevin wants. He wants everyone to know the "true spirit" of Christmas.

The ruse is broken and the two of them end their relationship. They get back together in about five minutes. He finds the airplane toy. There is a cheesy ending. Everything is exactly as predicted. This film is by the books and it angers me. I felt like it could have been better.

Tis the season

[Jackbv123 · 8/10 · 21 November 2019]

This is a story with some unique aspects. Secret Santa has been done. But it's not as overused as most of the stories we see this time of year. The get-a-promotion is a little overused, but not quite in this way. Leading the reporter to the true meaning of Christmas is also a little different. Hiding-a-secret and interrupted-before-I-tell-you are both overused, but hard to avoid in this story.

Erin Cahill is perfect for a character with Christmas spirit. I didn't feel like it was overdone, but the spirit seemed to flow out of her. Kevin McGarry does seem a little forced, but as a duo, these two do a nice job. Jaden Oehr is decent as the kid.

The competing reporters, especially with their debate over principles, is also a little unique. Unfortunately, I hated this aspect of the story. It would have worked much better if it was a little more subtle. The debate was part of the theme of the movie, but the cut-throat competition was overdone. The idealist romantic in me would have like the random-acts theme to be a little more pure, but the way this story is written, even the competition was necessary. But the resulting climax was forced due mostly to less than stellar acting by Hamza Fouad . The climax was still worth it all. When I say I would have like the competition to be a little more subtle, I don't mean completely eliminated, but just a little more subtle.

BTW: What happened to the black tie even Colin promised to be at? You may have noticed he was doing something else. There were a few other minor details that weren't cleaned up. Sydney left her car in traffic when she saw that early event where she met Cole/Colin, yet it didn't get towed. Later when decorating the house, she walks in to cook supper leaving a box of decorations literally in the middle of the porch in front of the door.

Cute premise

[toncincin · 5/10 · 21 November 2019]

The premise of this Christmas movie is cute - good Christmas spirit in the movie. BUT the child actor is horrible - very forced and not believable. Erin Cahill - as much as I've liked her in other movies - seems pretty forced here too. Her mom is played by Jacklyn Smith - who is always a joy to watch. And Patrick Duffy - oh Patrick ... whatever happened to you! Now onto Kevin McGarry ... I like Kevin. He plays this role well. I've seen him in a few duds - but he was OK in this one.

BTW - it appears another reviewer is having trouble separating the actors from their real life. They are playing roles ... that's it. It's not reflective of their real life!.

Good movie

[jazz-83526 · 10/10 · 30 May 2021]

I love Kevin McGarry. He has great chemistry with Erin Cahill. Its a really fun story. I enjoy seeing Kevin's talent and Erin is talented and beautiful too. I enjoyed the feel good feeling from this movie and its family friendly too.

Kinda creepy...

[Racingphan2 · 5/10 · 25 October 2020]

I love Erin Cahill, but this movie is really off. The way the guy manipulates her character is strange. Also, the child actor playing her son is way too excited over everything. Hey Lifetime, put this one on the shelf.

Loved it!

[majoq · 9/10 · 26 December 2020]

Great Christmas movie from beginning to end. Patrick Duffy and Jacklyn Smith the best. Good characters, believable. Good cast. And last but not least, the main leads had good chemistry. One of my favourites.

Another 2019 Premiere dud

[ssc7 · 3/10 · 19 November 2019]

None of the characters felt believable except Duffey. The boy was over enthused, the mom was fake, the leading man cute but had no spark with her, Smith was ok. The storyline was against what is was trying to tell. Random acts of massive money more like. How about getting the average people to realize Christmas gifts are not the reason for the season. Besides in Chicago they would steal all the poinsettias and shoot you if you tried to hug them.

Beautiful movie all around!!

[barbelyett · 10/10 · 15 November 2020]

I love the story line of this movie and the entire cast was wonderful! What a beautiful Christmas movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Bad acting on display here.

[rebekahrox · 4/10 · 8 November 2020]

The guy and Patrick Duffy and Jaclyn Smith are fine. They are the one s that rescue this one from 1 or 2 stars. I also appreciated the the semi original premise of the plot. The actress and her annoying son doom this movie. I can't believe the good reviews. They were horrible. The kid was the epitome of the super cheerful sweet cliche kid. And the Mom was like a Miss America wanna be. So phony. I choose to blame the director. As I actually did not mind the actress in one of her efforts and the kid is not to blamed as yet for bad acting. As far as her character. Why is she so mad when she finds out who the secret Santa is? Probably because she hadn't thought through the idea that the guy was hooked on her and he was super rich. Well she finally got it. Set for life. Get a prenup, dude.

Very Cute

[thebuzz-2 · 10/10 · 7 June 2021]

This is a really cute movie! It's pretty predictable but it is a nice heartwarming Christmas movie that shows the importance of kindness. Kevin McGarry and Erin Cahill have amazing chemistry and the acting is top notch. Highly recommend.

Not bad, but not amazing.

[adamjohns-42575 · 5/10 · 16 November 2022]

Random Acts Of Christmas (2019) -

Some of the random acts seemed a little bit excessive and not the most constructive of ideas. Who NEEDS poinsettia's? The money would have been better spent on clean water for the Africans that still don't have any to drink or at homeless shelters. Those things would have been far more like Christmas miracles for me, although I realise that the homeless thing has been done before.

And I'm not sure that the random music act was exactly revolutionary either. There were definitely better tasks that could have been done. A bake off to feed the homeless? Food parcels for low income families? A toy drive for underprivileged kids? A chance to record video messages for loved ones abroad, in the forces perhaps? So the concept was good, but the film wasn't made with much thought about how best to deliver it.

I'm also not sure that I connected with Kevin McGarry as much as I have done with other actors, like Brendan Penny and Luke Macfarlane. He was cute enough and likeable, but it felt like there was something missing with him. Almost like he had an agenda and was going to turn out to be the actual villain of the piece.

Erin Cahill was fine in her role, but I do have to wonder why so many of these parents are so useless? Surely they've all seen 'Jingle All The Way' (1996) and know to buy the biggest toy of the year in plenty of time. It's a trope that's getting a bit tired to be honest.

Patrick Duffy was an odd character too, like a cartoon snowman of some sort that I can't really explain.

As I've said, I liked the concept, but I think that a bit more thought could have gone in to how it was delivered. His random acts really didn't seem to benefit people that greatly and I really didn't think that his efforts were front page news.

Wouldn't it be nice if the world could be so easily persuaded to stop being asshats for just a few minutes a day, but alas that reality is too far from the one we live in and the film made me feel that even more, because it was hard to believe the changes in everybody.

That and the chemistry between the leads and it just wasn't one of my favourites I'm afraid, but there were no really bad parts either. My Mother called the little boy a precocious child, but I didn't mind him. I needed more overall though.

5/10.

Despite some common tropes ...

[VetteRanger · 8/10 · 9 November 2022]

Despite some common tropes, we liked this movie a lot. The romantic leads sold their roles, and though they didn't have a lot of screentime, seeing Patrick Duffy and Jacklyn Smith added an unexpected treat.

So here we have the "hidden identity", which of course leads to the "interrupted reveal", followed by the "betrayed love interest". Throw in the "struggling single mom" and "adorable kid" and you could have a recipe for "same old-same old".

Despite those cliches, we found the story to be fresh and the characters likeable and believable. The only part I though was a bit awkward were the leading lady's interactions with the news editor.

This is one we'll rewatch from time to time, and it's a major step up from most Lifetime offerings.

Refreshing Christmas movie

[faith-87057 · 10/10 · 12 May 2021]

I love Christmas and love movies that show people doing amazing things at Christmas. This movie is different and really puts people in the Christmas spirit. Not only do we see someone doing kind things for so many people at Christmas, we also get to see a very sweet love story. This is different than a lot of Christmas movie and I would definitely recommend it!