DVD Review:

Movie Synopsis:

Based on the New York Times best- selling novel by Jason F. Wright.

Hope is an aspiring reporter who has had her fair share of tragedy in life. Abandoned at birth, she's grieving the recent death of her adopted mother when her apartment is burglarized of all her possessions. While reporting the burglary to the police, Hope discovers a jar full of money, labeled "Christmas Jar." Shocked and grateful for this act of kindness, Hope discovers that people all over her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, have been receiving Christmas Jars for years during times of need. The jars are always anonymous and always contain different amounts. In this heartwarming Christmas classic, Hope goes undercover to discover the secret behind the Christmas jars, putting into motion a series of events that will change her life, and her community, forever.

Trailer:

Purchase:

Deseret Book | Amazon

Review:

I really enjoyed the novel Christmas Jars when I read it 12 years ago. The details have long since faded, but remembering that I liked it led me to want to watch the new movie based on the novel. It has a very good message about looking beyond ourselves and helping those in need.

Hope didn't want to be alone in her grief and went back to work very quickly. Her co-workers were pretty silly and that was probably something that she needed to not be pulled down by her sorrows. She dreamed of being a writer, and shortly after returning to work she was given the opportunity to pitch a story to her boss and co-workers. She got a green light to move ahead with a story about Christmas jars that had been anonymously given to people around Columbus. I think Hope went into the story with good intentions, but I was bothered by the lies she told in her quest to find the truth. As a family friendly movie, her actions would be a good teaching moment to show the importance of telling the truth (and the burden that comes from having to remember your lies to keep the facade going).

I think this would be a good fit for those who love Hallmark-type Christmas movies. The acting is pretty good, and the cinematography is very well done. It has some serious moments (I cried a few times), but it has a pretty light feel for the bulk of the story.

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