Willa (Autumn Reeser) has had a truly awful last two years. First, she split from her husband, leaving her a single parent. Then, her darling son Scout (Liam Hughes), around 8 years old, suffered a serious illness which went on and on. Now, Scout is better but there are huge medical bills. Not quite finished with a nursing degree, Willa works the lesser paying home care positions. Lo and behold, her last patient, a gentleman estranged from his family long ago, leaves Willa $100,000 AND a vacation in Oregon's lovely Bramble House B & B. Thankful beyond words, Willa and Scout start their journey from Minnesota. Meanwhile, Finn (David Haydn-Jones), the true son of Willa's last patient, gets word of his father's will. Aghast that his parent "cheated" his family in life and death, Finn goes to Oregon, also, to see if he can judge if Willa took deep advantage of his dad's last days. Yet, once there, Finn finds lovely Willa a beautiful human being, inside and out, from the first moment. Scout is likewise a darling. With his sister breathing over his neck about the injunction they are about to file over the will, can Finn really be hateful to Willa? Not when she steals his heart away piece by piece! This beautiful movie, a new one in the long, long, long list of Hallmark romance films, is sweet and meaningful. Its basic theme is forgiveness with a dash of courage. Reeser and Haydn-Jones are perfect and Hughes is a doll. In addition, the Oregon setting, complete with a handsome house and a darling village, is most welcoming. What can one say but add this to your list of gotta-watch-this-season flicks.
37 Reviews
David Haydn-Jones Is great
Christmas-Reviewer21 November 2017
While settling his father's estate, Finn Conrad becomes suspicious as to why the man left a nurse $1000,000. Just before Christmas, Finn wants what to reclaim what he considers his family's money, going undercover to investigate the nurse who is know vacationing at a bed and breakfast which happened to be paid for by his dad.
I have become a huge David Haydn-Jones fan. I have seen him in a few Christmas movies now and he is one of the best.
What was nice about this story is "Nobody" in this film comes across as a villain but in reality there is one.
My problem with this film is that the deceased father abandoned his children and never saw them again.
I have become a huge David Haydn-Jones fan. I have seen him in a few Christmas movies now and he is one of the best.
What was nice about this story is "Nobody" in this film comes across as a villain but in reality there is one.
My problem with this film is that the deceased father abandoned his children and never saw them again.
The suspense behind $100.000.
Reno-Rangan24 December 2017
Just as I thought watching Christmas films are over, only the real Christmas is what left to enjoy, I came across with this film. This is a last moment review written in the week of Christmas eve. The reason I liked was, it is another Christmas film based on the book of the same name. I think Hallmark should adapt books more often. The original screenplays are almost nothing. No innovation, not interesting enough. But literature based films like this makes a lot sense to watch. With an artistic presentation, the depth in characters and events, the story is well convincing.
Well, the story is not new. We all know it, especially how it's going to turn out at the end. But that's not the issue. How much you are satisfied with the way it all were told matters. So apart from a good story, the actors and director too makes an impact. I think it all worked out well for this. Yet there was a small drawback that towards the end of the second act, the story dried up. I mean literally when all the important matter was sorted out, the rest of the narration till the final twist was simply a drag. A time killer with casual scenes.
-xX] Look around you, and then close your eyes. Put everything you just saw into your brain like a picture. That way, you can keep it, even after we've gone. [Xx-
Willa, a single mother and her young boy is all set to enjoy their Christmas in the Bramble house BnB. On the other side of the tale, Finn disappointed with his father who had died weeks ago, left nothing to him, but for a stranger, Willa. So he decides to find out the reason and confront her with a legal option. Now, on the eve of the Christmas week, they meet at the Bramble house and develop an unexpected relationship with mother and son. Once the truth ready to get out, what happens and how the story would end was told quite nicely.
The character Finn looked good, but with a bad intention in his mind makes a villain, at least in the beginning. The actor who played it kind looked expressionless, even when he smiled. As the story went on, he looked better. Maybe I got used to it. Because slowly his behaviour has changed, leaving us to expect, how he would react at the end. You know without making something into a complicate, there's no end twist. In this, it was his identity and purpose of meeting Willa. That character makes this tale possible. But Willa is the one mysterious until she reveal about her life, particularly the secret about her son.
One of the good Christmas films of this season I've seen. More importantly, it emotionally get us. That's crucial if the film is aimed for families. Of course not without romance theme, otherwise these things won't work, but it was not focused on that thing alone. Mixing the festival occasion, romance, and personal life was neatly done. So if you want to watch a Christmas film, this won't be a bad pick. But as I always say, this is a television film, so be compromised on the overall perspective of the product and enjoy.
7/10
Well, the story is not new. We all know it, especially how it's going to turn out at the end. But that's not the issue. How much you are satisfied with the way it all were told matters. So apart from a good story, the actors and director too makes an impact. I think it all worked out well for this. Yet there was a small drawback that towards the end of the second act, the story dried up. I mean literally when all the important matter was sorted out, the rest of the narration till the final twist was simply a drag. A time killer with casual scenes.
-xX] Look around you, and then close your eyes. Put everything you just saw into your brain like a picture. That way, you can keep it, even after we've gone. [Xx-
Willa, a single mother and her young boy is all set to enjoy their Christmas in the Bramble house BnB. On the other side of the tale, Finn disappointed with his father who had died weeks ago, left nothing to him, but for a stranger, Willa. So he decides to find out the reason and confront her with a legal option. Now, on the eve of the Christmas week, they meet at the Bramble house and develop an unexpected relationship with mother and son. Once the truth ready to get out, what happens and how the story would end was told quite nicely.
The character Finn looked good, but with a bad intention in his mind makes a villain, at least in the beginning. The actor who played it kind looked expressionless, even when he smiled. As the story went on, he looked better. Maybe I got used to it. Because slowly his behaviour has changed, leaving us to expect, how he would react at the end. You know without making something into a complicate, there's no end twist. In this, it was his identity and purpose of meeting Willa. That character makes this tale possible. But Willa is the one mysterious until she reveal about her life, particularly the secret about her son.
One of the good Christmas films of this season I've seen. More importantly, it emotionally get us. That's crucial if the film is aimed for families. Of course not without romance theme, otherwise these things won't work, but it was not focused on that thing alone. Mixing the festival occasion, romance, and personal life was neatly done. So if you want to watch a Christmas film, this won't be a bad pick. But as I always say, this is a television film, so be compromised on the overall perspective of the product and enjoy.
7/10
Heartwarming festive tale ticks all the boxes
shakercoola14 November 2018
An American-Canadian television romantic drama; A story about a young man who becomes suspicious why his father left a nurse his fortune so he goes undercover to investigate. This is a formulaic Hallmark style TV movie, but it looks great and will appeal to most people's festive feelings, knocking many of the bigger sickly-sweet Christmas themed feature films of the same ilk out of the park. The story dries up like a box of Eat Me dates by the end, but the big reveal and predictable ending is satisfying - damn it - I didn't think it would get me, but it did! Autumn Reeser and David Haydn-Jones deliver good performances in a Christmas treat for the family.
In Christmas we trust
TheLittleSongbird5 January 2021
Throughout my whole Christmas film completest quest undertaken since late 2019, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Hallmark's output. There was however always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. One could see that with enough of Hallmark's output but not all.
'A Bramble House Christmas' is not a Christmas classic, but seeing it the amount of effort that went into it was more than evident throughout. Hallmark's Christmas output has been very variable, the best ones being surprisingly well done and the worst being terrible. 'A Bramble House Christmas' in many ways is one of their overall best, with almost everything done remarkably well and only a couple of things done imperfectly which was not unexpected in a way.
Have never expected much originality from Hallmark, and attempts at doing something different were quite rare. 'A Bramble House Christmas' is not much of an exception, with the story being yet another variation on a very familiar and still done to death (for Hallmark) formula. So story-wise it is rather predictable with some slow spots here and there.
Perhaps the ending is a touch on the pat side, common with Hallmark. Do have to agree too that one character's change of heart does not make much sense (if there was any explanation provided it did escape me), is revealed too suddenly.
On the other hand, there is a lot to love here. Autumn Reeser is immensely engaging as Willa, a character that is more identifiable than most female lead characters, she doesn't overdo it while also having none of the going through the motions quality. David Haydn-Jones is even better, doing sympathetic in a very nuanced way and it is very easy to see the character's appeal. The Hallmark festive films are very variable when it comes to the chemistry between their two leads, 'A Bramble House Christmas' is an example of the warm and genuine kind that develops realistically if not perhaps deeply. The rest of the cast are strong too, with a scene stealing Teryl Rothery and adorable Liam Hughes particularly impressing.
Moreover, the production values still manage to be great, one of the best looking Hallmark festive films of that year. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Most of the soundtrack is nostalgic and appealing to listen to, capturing the festive spirit well. Hallmark had a real habit of over-scoring their films but that's not as much the case here. The script just about avoids being corny and saccharine, both of which are common for Hallmark, and the story is mostly very engaging, easy to be uplifted by and heart-warming. Did like the characters too and they came over as more real than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films.
Concluding, really liked it on the whole. 8/10
'A Bramble House Christmas' is not a Christmas classic, but seeing it the amount of effort that went into it was more than evident throughout. Hallmark's Christmas output has been very variable, the best ones being surprisingly well done and the worst being terrible. 'A Bramble House Christmas' in many ways is one of their overall best, with almost everything done remarkably well and only a couple of things done imperfectly which was not unexpected in a way.
Have never expected much originality from Hallmark, and attempts at doing something different were quite rare. 'A Bramble House Christmas' is not much of an exception, with the story being yet another variation on a very familiar and still done to death (for Hallmark) formula. So story-wise it is rather predictable with some slow spots here and there.
Perhaps the ending is a touch on the pat side, common with Hallmark. Do have to agree too that one character's change of heart does not make much sense (if there was any explanation provided it did escape me), is revealed too suddenly.
On the other hand, there is a lot to love here. Autumn Reeser is immensely engaging as Willa, a character that is more identifiable than most female lead characters, she doesn't overdo it while also having none of the going through the motions quality. David Haydn-Jones is even better, doing sympathetic in a very nuanced way and it is very easy to see the character's appeal. The Hallmark festive films are very variable when it comes to the chemistry between their two leads, 'A Bramble House Christmas' is an example of the warm and genuine kind that develops realistically if not perhaps deeply. The rest of the cast are strong too, with a scene stealing Teryl Rothery and adorable Liam Hughes particularly impressing.
Moreover, the production values still manage to be great, one of the best looking Hallmark festive films of that year. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. Most of the soundtrack is nostalgic and appealing to listen to, capturing the festive spirit well. Hallmark had a real habit of over-scoring their films but that's not as much the case here. The script just about avoids being corny and saccharine, both of which are common for Hallmark, and the story is mostly very engaging, easy to be uplifted by and heart-warming. Did like the characters too and they came over as more real than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films.
Concluding, really liked it on the whole. 8/10
Pretty good Hallmark Christmas Movie for 2017! Solid 7 Stars!
huggibear24 December 2017
This is based upon a book titled the same, which I haven't read yet but might do so next Christmas. They say that books are always better, so perhaps I need to check it out and put it on my list of goals since reading is one of my new year's goals and it would be perfect to read it before we watch it again next year. We all know that Hallmark repeats their previous year's movies unless it is Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening (premiere time) when they play their new movies (during the holiday season). But about the movie, it's worth a viewing and I might watch again next year as well.
A refreshing romantic drama
HotToastyRag14 December 2019
A beautiful single mom gets the Christmas present of a lifetime in this lovely Hallmark movie, A Bramble House Christmas. Autumn Reeser stars as a caretaker whose recent patient left her $100,000 and a paid two-week Christmas vacation in his will. It's a dream come true for many reasons, but to his son, David Haydn-Jones, it appears to be a swindle. David travels to the bed and breakfast where Autumn and her son Liam Hughes are staying intent on contesting the will and finding out how she conned his father out of so much; however, as he gets to know her, his feelings soften.
One of the things I really love about this Hallmark is the lack of corniness. Sure, there are a few overly sweet moments, but overall, it's pretty nice drama. The characters take their time getting to know each other, rather than a love-at-first-sight or a bicker-till-we-fall-in-love romance. Autumn's character is a really nice, compassionate person, and she's also a good mother! It's very refreshing to see a romance like this one, where you can actually understand why the people fall for each other and think they'll work out past the closing credits.
There's really only one flaw in the entire movie, which, given the plot holes in other Hallmark movies that everyone overlooks in the spirit of the season, speaks pretty highly of it. Julia Benson's character as the disapproving sister doesn't start out as disapproving. In the beginning of the movie, she actually defends Autumn and tells her brother to drop his negative feelings. Without any explanation, she switches sides. Besides that, this is a really fantastic Hallmark. Check it out!
One of the things I really love about this Hallmark is the lack of corniness. Sure, there are a few overly sweet moments, but overall, it's pretty nice drama. The characters take their time getting to know each other, rather than a love-at-first-sight or a bicker-till-we-fall-in-love romance. Autumn's character is a really nice, compassionate person, and she's also a good mother! It's very refreshing to see a romance like this one, where you can actually understand why the people fall for each other and think they'll work out past the closing credits.
There's really only one flaw in the entire movie, which, given the plot holes in other Hallmark movies that everyone overlooks in the spirit of the season, speaks pretty highly of it. Julia Benson's character as the disapproving sister doesn't start out as disapproving. In the beginning of the movie, she actually defends Autumn and tells her brother to drop his negative feelings. Without any explanation, she switches sides. Besides that, this is a really fantastic Hallmark. Check it out!
Highly Recommended
glanners-708033 January 2021
A break from the usual Christmas story. This sees Finn Conrad (David Hadyn-Jones) heading off to investigate why his late father left his inheritance to Willa Fairchild (Autumn Reeser), a home nurse and mother who had been caring for him. A variety of different characters, all bring different flavours to the mix and there are some tough moments mixed in with the anticipated Christmas uplift. Highly recommended.
Finally a really sweet movie!
Luvhallmark9 January 2019
You know how some movies immediately give you that warm and cozy feeling .... well that's how this movie made me feel. I loved Bramble House! I enjoyed watching the B&B owner go from fiercely independent to realizing she needed help, I really enjoyed her portrayal. AR and DHJ were very good together, I thought they had great chemistry... and oh my little Scout, was he just the cutest little boy!! Every supporting cast member did a fantastic job! Well done.
There truly are family tragedies that end up generating some goodwill during theChristmas season
Ed-Shullivan18 December 2018
Book illustrator Finn Conrad (David Haydn-Jones) has mixed emotions about the father who abandoned him when he was 10 years old as well as mixed emotions about the caregiver Willa Fairchild (Autumn Reeser) who inherited a $100 thousand dollar nest egg from his father's estate.
Finn and his sister Molly (Julia Benson) have a strong but unproven belief that the young and pretty caregiver Willa is a gold digger and that she somehow stole their own deserved inheritance from their estranged father's estate.
Finn is under a rigid 30 day timeline before the will can no longer legally be contested so he travels to the bed and breakfast that Willa and her young son Scout (Liam Hughes) are staying at over the Christmas and New Year period. The Bed and Breakfast lodge of Bramble House was a gracious gift to Willa and her cute as a buton son Scout donated by the deceased benefactor Mr. Conrad.
It is hard to hold back the tears as the story unfolds with a lot of emotional stories that all the main characters have to share as the Christmas day draws nearer. The owner of Bramble House, Mable Bramble, (Teryl Rothery) is getting on in years but is stubborn to the point that she makes it clear to all that love her, that she needs no ones help in running her bed and breakfast including that of an old and dear friend who wears his affections for Mable on his Santa sleeve.
This is a heartwarming story and my only negative comment is like in many of todays films, they portray the heroine Willa Fairchild as a divorcee taking care of her son on her own. Maybe this is the reality of todays society of many of a single parent raising their children on their own after a broken marriage, but it then becomes the accepted norm rather than the exceptance in the family relationship.
I give the film a decent 7 out of 10 rating.
Finn and his sister Molly (Julia Benson) have a strong but unproven belief that the young and pretty caregiver Willa is a gold digger and that she somehow stole their own deserved inheritance from their estranged father's estate.
Finn is under a rigid 30 day timeline before the will can no longer legally be contested so he travels to the bed and breakfast that Willa and her young son Scout (Liam Hughes) are staying at over the Christmas and New Year period. The Bed and Breakfast lodge of Bramble House was a gracious gift to Willa and her cute as a buton son Scout donated by the deceased benefactor Mr. Conrad.
It is hard to hold back the tears as the story unfolds with a lot of emotional stories that all the main characters have to share as the Christmas day draws nearer. The owner of Bramble House, Mable Bramble, (Teryl Rothery) is getting on in years but is stubborn to the point that she makes it clear to all that love her, that she needs no ones help in running her bed and breakfast including that of an old and dear friend who wears his affections for Mable on his Santa sleeve.
This is a heartwarming story and my only negative comment is like in many of todays films, they portray the heroine Willa Fairchild as a divorcee taking care of her son on her own. Maybe this is the reality of todays society of many of a single parent raising their children on their own after a broken marriage, but it then becomes the accepted norm rather than the exceptance in the family relationship.
I give the film a decent 7 out of 10 rating.
Touching story
Jackbv12321 November 2017
Sometimes a story doesn't have to have twists and surprises to be worth watching, especially if it is told well. This story has a somewhat unusual approach yet relies on some traditional plot devices. Some minor mysteries are revealed along the way, but there are no great surprises.
Autumn Reeser, as Willa, is a special mom of a special boy, Liam Hughes as Scout. Willa has had to struggle both emotionally and financially as her young son has had a heart transplant from which he is finally fully recovered. Since she has no special skills or qualifications, paying back the bills has been a burden for her. Yet this quiet and kindhearted lady is special in that she makes the lives of people around her better. She did that for Mr. Conrad in his final days, and he rewarded her in his will. He gives her a chance to explore her future by taking away her debt and paying for a week at Bramble House.
Mr. Conrad's estranged son sets out to prove that Willa has conned his father. Intending to confront her, instead he gets to know her and it's not hard to figure what happens from there. As the movie goes on we find out more about that estrangement and the wounds it has left in him.
We find other characters worth knowing. There is Mable, the owner of Bramble House and her niece and great niece and a male guest. The story weaves them all together with Willa as the heart that binds them.
There are some beautiful sets of Christmas decorations both at the Inn and around town. The acting is good.
Autumn Reeser, as Willa, is a special mom of a special boy, Liam Hughes as Scout. Willa has had to struggle both emotionally and financially as her young son has had a heart transplant from which he is finally fully recovered. Since she has no special skills or qualifications, paying back the bills has been a burden for her. Yet this quiet and kindhearted lady is special in that she makes the lives of people around her better. She did that for Mr. Conrad in his final days, and he rewarded her in his will. He gives her a chance to explore her future by taking away her debt and paying for a week at Bramble House.
Mr. Conrad's estranged son sets out to prove that Willa has conned his father. Intending to confront her, instead he gets to know her and it's not hard to figure what happens from there. As the movie goes on we find out more about that estrangement and the wounds it has left in him.
We find other characters worth knowing. There is Mable, the owner of Bramble House and her niece and great niece and a male guest. The story weaves them all together with Willa as the heart that binds them.
There are some beautiful sets of Christmas decorations both at the Inn and around town. The acting is good.
Not so bad
Kirpianuscus3 November 2019
In fact, a real nice film. A single mother. A son after two years of fight for jos lider. Two siblings and suppositions about their father last option. And, sure, the romance in the frame of Christmas. Nothing new, nothing special but more than nice. Fiesta, for lovely portrait of Mable . So, Hallmark recipe.
Not a very realistic ending
ADadandHusband14 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Willa is a great human being that only cares for people. Finn just lies to her and her son the whole time and then he is exposed by his sister right at the end as a liar. Willa is rightfully upset and leaves. He chases her down, gives a weak apology and she forgives him. He laid on some major lies that would take more than 5 minutes to get over. Was hoping a Hallmark ending would have ended with them parting ways for once because ending with love was not believable. Still worth watching. LOL.
Good movie with some stupid elements.
malachite-7843213 December 2020
I'm sorry.
I liked this Hallmark movie, but as soon as she let Finn take her son while she went to take "a mom's rest", all of my alarm bells went off.
No matter who he says he is, famous children's book author or not, you do not let your son go off alone with a man that you just met. What kind of insanity is that? I mean, she's only known him for what, one day, two days?
Just because it's a Hallmark movie, there is no reason to suspend reality that much. Wisdom doesn't take a backseat just so that they can make a romantic movie.
Hallmark, get your collective acts together.
I liked this Hallmark movie, but as soon as she let Finn take her son while she went to take "a mom's rest", all of my alarm bells went off.
No matter who he says he is, famous children's book author or not, you do not let your son go off alone with a man that you just met. What kind of insanity is that? I mean, she's only known him for what, one day, two days?
Just because it's a Hallmark movie, there is no reason to suspend reality that much. Wisdom doesn't take a backseat just so that they can make a romantic movie.
Hallmark, get your collective acts together.
Winter scenes, heart strings and some very likeable people in this Christmas film
SimonJack7 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
"A Bramble House Christmas" is a good Christmas film, in the vein of a heart-tugger. It's based on a 2016 novel by Canadian romance and mystery novelist C. J. Carmichael. Like most Christmas and holiday theme movies that have been made in the 21st century and that have real snow and winter settings, this film was made in Canada. It was filmed in British Columbia, although the setting is a fictional town in Oregon. The Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest resemble those of British Columbia. And the Bramble House location in the film would be at least an hour's drive, and perhaps two or more, from Portland International Airport. The scenic drive that Willa and son, Scout, take resembles what one might see in the winter driving around Mt. Hood and in the Cascades. But the nearest towns of any size from there would be Madras, Redmond and Bend about 120 to 160 miles from Portland.
The pull at the heart strings in this film is with Willa Fairchild and her young son, Scout. He's about 7-years old and two years ago had major heart surgery, from which he nearly died. His mom had worked as a caregiver for an ill man, Mr. Conrad. But she had to leave his employ to care for Scout. When the man died, he left his estate of $100,000 to Willa to help with her medical bills. Conrad had been estranged from his own children, when he walked away from his family when they were young. His daughter, Molly, and his son, younger Finn, who was then about 10-years old, had not heard from him again. But they received a notice of his will after he died. Finn has a professional name, Knightley, as an artist and famous illustrator of children's books.
Neither Finn nor Molly are married, and they live in Seattle. Willa and Scott lived in Minneapolis, where Mr. Conrad had lived and died. Finn suspects that his father's nurse had been someone who coerced Conrad to change his will and name her the beneficiary. He wants to contest the will, goes to a lawyer, and then tells Molly that they have until the end of the year to prove his suspicions. In the meantime, he planned to file an injunction. He planned to check out Willa Fairchild and confront her. "I cant rest until I look her in the eye and find out the truth," he says to Molly. Molly tells him that he won't have to go far, because Willa Fairchild had also been given a two-week Christmas vacation in their father's will, at Bramble House in Oregon. It was a place their father had known as a boy. So, Finn heads off for Bramble.
All of the above details about Willa and Scout's background aren't revealed in the film to this time. After Finn arrives at Bramble House, the story takes off from there, and except for some other interesting characters and sub-plots, movie fans can guess how this will turn out. Bramble House is a Bed and Breakfast that Mable Bramble has operated for years to keep it in the family. She grew up there. Her character is very amusing. Her niece, Savannah, works at a store in town, and Willa meets her. The other guest staying at Bramble House is Ken, a 20-year returnee who always comes from Portland at Christmas time to play Santa at the library. He has a thing for Mable.
This is a good, different enough, and interesting film that most people should enjoy. Most of the cast are very good, especially Autumn Reeser who plays Will and Liam Hughes, who plays the young Scout. David Haydn-Jones doesn't quite click as Finn - he seems too stand-offish and matter of fact much of the time. There really doesn't seem to be any chemistry between him and Willa. Teryl Rothery is very good as a sort of hard-nosed, I can do it myself person; but she eventually melts with Willa's genuine persona. Andrew Airlie is very good as Ken.
As frequently happens with Christmas holiday films though, the screenplay has an obvious fault. It's beyond me how the producers let this go or didn't notice it. In the beginning, Finn is all upset about their father's will and wants to contest it and take Willa Fairchild to court to fight over it But Molly is less incensed about it. She doubts Finn's adamant thought that their dad was tricked into naming his care nurse in his will. But Molly says there's another possibility - perhaps they were never in it at all. But then, at the end of the film, Finn has learned all about Willa and Scout, he likes them both very much and Scout is a big fan of his books. And, he's falling for Willa. So Molly shows up and is the nasty one thinking that Willa was a money-grubber and tells Finn he has been bamboozled by Miss Fairchild.
If it was that was in the book, shame on the author. But, shame too on the writers and producers for not fixing such a conflicting opening and closing to the film. Audiences remember such things when they get into good stories.
My favorite line in the film comes from Mable after she has given in to let Willa help her out with all the decorations, cooking, and preparations. Mable had suffered a leg injury from a fall. She says to Willa, "You're not a nurse. You're a caregiver. Jut look at that you've done around here."
The pull at the heart strings in this film is with Willa Fairchild and her young son, Scout. He's about 7-years old and two years ago had major heart surgery, from which he nearly died. His mom had worked as a caregiver for an ill man, Mr. Conrad. But she had to leave his employ to care for Scout. When the man died, he left his estate of $100,000 to Willa to help with her medical bills. Conrad had been estranged from his own children, when he walked away from his family when they were young. His daughter, Molly, and his son, younger Finn, who was then about 10-years old, had not heard from him again. But they received a notice of his will after he died. Finn has a professional name, Knightley, as an artist and famous illustrator of children's books.
Neither Finn nor Molly are married, and they live in Seattle. Willa and Scott lived in Minneapolis, where Mr. Conrad had lived and died. Finn suspects that his father's nurse had been someone who coerced Conrad to change his will and name her the beneficiary. He wants to contest the will, goes to a lawyer, and then tells Molly that they have until the end of the year to prove his suspicions. In the meantime, he planned to file an injunction. He planned to check out Willa Fairchild and confront her. "I cant rest until I look her in the eye and find out the truth," he says to Molly. Molly tells him that he won't have to go far, because Willa Fairchild had also been given a two-week Christmas vacation in their father's will, at Bramble House in Oregon. It was a place their father had known as a boy. So, Finn heads off for Bramble.
All of the above details about Willa and Scout's background aren't revealed in the film to this time. After Finn arrives at Bramble House, the story takes off from there, and except for some other interesting characters and sub-plots, movie fans can guess how this will turn out. Bramble House is a Bed and Breakfast that Mable Bramble has operated for years to keep it in the family. She grew up there. Her character is very amusing. Her niece, Savannah, works at a store in town, and Willa meets her. The other guest staying at Bramble House is Ken, a 20-year returnee who always comes from Portland at Christmas time to play Santa at the library. He has a thing for Mable.
This is a good, different enough, and interesting film that most people should enjoy. Most of the cast are very good, especially Autumn Reeser who plays Will and Liam Hughes, who plays the young Scout. David Haydn-Jones doesn't quite click as Finn - he seems too stand-offish and matter of fact much of the time. There really doesn't seem to be any chemistry between him and Willa. Teryl Rothery is very good as a sort of hard-nosed, I can do it myself person; but she eventually melts with Willa's genuine persona. Andrew Airlie is very good as Ken.
As frequently happens with Christmas holiday films though, the screenplay has an obvious fault. It's beyond me how the producers let this go or didn't notice it. In the beginning, Finn is all upset about their father's will and wants to contest it and take Willa Fairchild to court to fight over it But Molly is less incensed about it. She doubts Finn's adamant thought that their dad was tricked into naming his care nurse in his will. But Molly says there's another possibility - perhaps they were never in it at all. But then, at the end of the film, Finn has learned all about Willa and Scout, he likes them both very much and Scout is a big fan of his books. And, he's falling for Willa. So Molly shows up and is the nasty one thinking that Willa was a money-grubber and tells Finn he has been bamboozled by Miss Fairchild.
If it was that was in the book, shame on the author. But, shame too on the writers and producers for not fixing such a conflicting opening and closing to the film. Audiences remember such things when they get into good stories.
My favorite line in the film comes from Mable after she has given in to let Willa help her out with all the decorations, cooking, and preparations. Mable had suffered a leg injury from a fall. She says to Willa, "You're not a nurse. You're a caregiver. Jut look at that you've done around here."
A Movie Not To be Missed!!
robert23-111 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Once again, the casting department of the Hall Mark Channel comes though in flying colours. Their talent & expertise in casting young talented actors is proof in this movie. Liam Hughes, though cute, is so talented beyond his young years. His performance and especially the scenes with the character Fin(David Hayden-Jones) is outstanding. The chemistry between those two is what makes this movie not to be missed. The actress playing the mother is definitely believable but the predictable ending to the movie brings tears to ones eyes. What a wonderful Christmas movie! Well done, Hall Mark. Liam needs to be in more Hall Mark movies. He has a great career ahead of him and I look forward to seeing him in more movies.
Robert, Victoria, B.C., Canada
Robert, Victoria, B.C., Canada
Enjoyable but...
jennie-493771 January 2019
My guilty secret is Hallmark movies at Christmas. Yeah, they're corny etc but some are pretty good. The only drawback is the lack of consistency/directing . For instance in most of them, in a car scene, you'll see the scenery out of one car window is going fast, but the other, barely moving . Or the lead character will be wearing a different coat, scarf, boots in almost every different scene. One I watched recently has the female lead going to a town for one day. She ended up having to stay two days. But she was shown wearing different 7 different coats in different scenes, three different pairs of boots, and a different scarf in every scene. Also the cooking scenes are badly done. The lead character will be taking something hot out of the oven with bare hands. I think the director should pay more attention to detail. In this movie, the woman showed up at the Inn with her son, parks in front and is there all night. But later when the guy showed up and parks, there are no cars in front, not even hers. It's stuff like that, which can get annoying.
A really good watch
aswathymysis12 September 2019
An odd story, but well made.
adamjohns-425754 February 2021
Wow! The kid in this is so saccharin that my teeth fell out just looking at that face! Yick!
I am a fan of David Haydn-Jones, but I thought his characters initial reaction to the situation was probably a more real version of who he was than what he allegedly became and as such the lead female should be very careful pursuing any relationship with him. It's obvious that both him and his sister have grown up to be very embittered and sceptical people and I don't think that's something that a pretty face and a kid so sickly sweet even wasps avoid him can change.
That aside and if you forget why they're brought together, the romance is really nice and I like the connections that Dave makes with both Mother and Child.
I think I connect with the characters better when they are a creative type and so I like that he's a book illustrator and how that channels the story.
The supporting cast were good too, definitely the better actors from the Christmas films genre.
I just think that the reason for their meeting is a bit harsh and it's hard to believe that things change that drastically, but the idea of a Christmas getaway and finding love in a snowy little town is always charming, so it's difficult to score this one.
I am a fan of David Haydn-Jones, but I thought his characters initial reaction to the situation was probably a more real version of who he was than what he allegedly became and as such the lead female should be very careful pursuing any relationship with him. It's obvious that both him and his sister have grown up to be very embittered and sceptical people and I don't think that's something that a pretty face and a kid so sickly sweet even wasps avoid him can change.
That aside and if you forget why they're brought together, the romance is really nice and I like the connections that Dave makes with both Mother and Child.
I think I connect with the characters better when they are a creative type and so I like that he's a book illustrator and how that channels the story.
The supporting cast were good too, definitely the better actors from the Christmas films genre.
I just think that the reason for their meeting is a bit harsh and it's hard to believe that things change that drastically, but the idea of a Christmas getaway and finding love in a snowy little town is always charming, so it's difficult to score this one.
Finally a refreshing new storyline!!!!!!
Becky14516 December 2018
A very sweet story that I would seek out to watch every year. All of the acting and chemistry was phenomenal. Scenery and decor were great as well, except maybe a little over the top in their home at the beginning. Hallmark tends to go overboard with the Christmas decor. Like way overboard.
I was getting so tired of the "pretend to be my significant other" or the "I fell in love and he/she turned out to be a royal from a country that does it exist"
This Movie has a Great Simple Story that will Haunt in a Good Way
gehewe20 January 2018
The excellent story just carries the emotions in this movie. I was fully engaged the whole time even through the traditional elements (ice skating, ginger bread house making, tree trimming). Loved the movie. Willa the single mom was played perfectly by Autumn Reeser. I think this may have been a good role for Lacey Chabert as well. Finn (David Haydn-Jones) is an illustrator of Willa's son's favorite book. The interaction between the 3 was just perfect. The use of the sketching was effective. The cast also includes Teryl Rothery who was great in Christmas Getaway (2017). She is always a delight to see but in this movie she played the limping aunt of Bramble house maybe to the detriment of the movie. We also have 2 others who played in Cedar Cove. These 3 supporting cast roles is probably why I did not score it a 10.
Simple but nice...
Thanos_Alfie23 December 2021
"A Bramble House Christmas" is a Drama - Romance movie in which we watch a man going to find the truth behind his father move to leave $100,000 to his nurse. He tries the reason behind his move and investigate the history of his nurse.
I enjoyed this movie because it had a simple but beautiful plot that contained plenty of nice moments. The Christmas feeling was obvious through the whole duration of it along with the beautiful lights of the city. The direction which was made by Steven R. Monroe was good and he succeed on travel us and be also a part of his movie. The interpretations of Autumn Reeser who played as Willa, David Haydn-Jones who played as Finn and Liam Hughes who played as Scout were very good and their combination worked very well. To sum up, I have to say that "A Bramble House Christmas" is a nice Christmas movie to spend your time.
I enjoyed this movie because it had a simple but beautiful plot that contained plenty of nice moments. The Christmas feeling was obvious through the whole duration of it along with the beautiful lights of the city. The direction which was made by Steven R. Monroe was good and he succeed on travel us and be also a part of his movie. The interpretations of Autumn Reeser who played as Willa, David Haydn-Jones who played as Finn and Liam Hughes who played as Scout were very good and their combination worked very well. To sum up, I have to say that "A Bramble House Christmas" is a nice Christmas movie to spend your time.
I found an error in the outside scene.
mclendenen-885031 February 2018
I don't know if I am the only one who caught this but in the scene where Finn is talking to his sister outside shortly after meeting Willa, and leaving the shop where they had hot chocolate, a woman comes walking down the street and she has a pair of shorts on and a sleeveless top and it is in the winter time in Oregon. It only shows for a second but I have watched this movie so many times and I catch it every time. Would be curious if anybody else catches it.
Best movie ever
okieroni16 December 2020
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