The Christmas Wife (1988)

I love this movie. Easy and enjoyable with great acting. I don't believe that every movie has to be thought provoking or deep. Sometimes, people just want to sit back and relax, fall into the story line and enjoy and hour and a half without having to think too much. This movie is a staple for me every Christmas. As I said, the acting is great; I believe the story and that I am at the cabin with them. I also feel the heart ache at the end when she wants to stay but can't. People are lonely during the holiday, and sometimes they are more alone with family than without. This movie moves me in so many ways. Simple, clean and believable.

I just watched this movie recently for the first time, although it is over 20 years old, and found it to be generally well-acted and entertaining but had some obvious flaws. First of all, the main actors, Jason Robards and Julie Harris, were outstanding in the roles of two people meeting for the first time for a weekend of friendship and company. Robards as the male lead who arranged the weekend liaison through a dating service seemed very comfortable as the ageing architect with family and friends but longing for that special someone. Julie Harris was the woman he was matched with and she was also convincing as the shy but quite compatible weekend companion. The two together find great pleasure in the beautiful setting by the lake, their Christmas dinner, and their play time. There is no particular need for love-making; that's not part of the plan, as sketched out by Robards, which is a huge relief to his companion who prefers a totally platonic holiday. The two seem so well matched and yet there is a gulf between them. The ending will not be to everyone's liking but then life can't always pan out as we would wish.I found the film-making paid little attention to detail as the Christmas setting was more like Thanksgiving than Christmas. Even in the United States people know that fall colour is over by December 25. It was also obvious to anyone familiar with Toronto that the movie was filmed there and not in the eastern United States, as the film would imply. These incongruities detract from the movie's appeal. Nevertheless, it is worth watching for the interaction between the two main actors.

I really liked this movie. Who was this woman? Why was she here? All questions are answered, but the answer may surprise you. This is an easy movie to watch, no foul language, no violence or explicit sexual content. If you're looking for something fast paced rock-em-sock em,this is not your movie....but for a wholesome, a bit intelligent movie, you can't beat it. The main actress has been on other movies from the 50s to the 90s, maybe more recently I don't know. I've seen her in East of Eden and The Christmas Tree.The main character, the male actor, had a problem, an event in his like that had been causing him pain. He expected this encounter to solve it, which it did, but in a way he did not expect. Neither will you. See it. ITs good

I saw this movie last night on WhiteSprings TV. They play many old old made for TV specials. This movie seems like a play on a stage. It is warm and cute, with many warm moments to make a warm smile come to you face. The movie is all about letting go and Iris teaching John how to do this. It is a story of two people not getting what they expected but getting something even deeper in return. I don't think the secret of Iris ruins the movie in the end but rather teaches a lesson that we don't always get what we expect. Her secret also teaches John how to open up and let go and in the end move on with his life towards other horizons .Julie Haris is an absolute angel. This is not a fast paced movie, but rather slow and reserved and not depressing at all.