The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit is a captivating holiday movie that was released in 2013. The film stars Nicollette Sheridan, best known for her role in Desperate Housewives, Bart Johnson of the High School Musical fame, and Amanda Foreman, noted for her performance in Felicity. The movie is sure to captivate audiences who are fans of the warmth, cheer and gentle mystery associated with the festive season.

The narrative revolves around Charlotte Hart, a journalist played by Sheridan, who consistently exhibits pure dedication and courage when it comes to her profession. She has descended upon a sleepy town to cover a story. Her mission? To prevent some developers from destroying the charm of the town during the holiday season, which could disturb the town’s tranquility and its intrinsic beauty. The townsfolk are worried that their beloved streets and squares will soon be replaced by blocky concrete buildings, thereby robbing them of their quaint town's Christmas spirit.

However, Charlotte’s journey is anything but smooth. An unpredictable twist of fate results in her falling into a coma. While her physical body is unresponsive, her spirit is far from dormant. Rather astonishingly, her spirit remains fully conscious and awakens in the town, free to roam and observe, unseen by the others.

It is during this phase that Charlotte encounters Bart Johnson’s character, a handsome district attorney named Daniel Huntslar. He seems to be the only one who has a strange sensation of her presence and can communicate with her. The pair begin to form a connection, with Dan providing Charlotte with an emotional anchor in the irreal situation, and Charlotte providing him with invisible companionship. In the meantime, Charlotte keeps tabs on the townsfolk and the worrisome property development situation she had initially set out to expose.

Amanda Foreman portrays Gwen Hollander, a woman who's trying to save her family’s bakery business that is imperiled by the impending property development. She represents the authentic struggle of the local businesses and families whose livelihood, customs and festive cheer are threatened by the urbanization plans, thereby adding additional weight to Charlotte’s mission.

The film doesn’t shy away from exploring the delusional state between real life and one that exists apart from the materialistic world. It takes the viewers on a heartfelt journey where the spiritual and the physical worlds go hand in hand.

The Christmas Spirit capably presents heartfelt moments tinged with melancholy and also hope, romance, mystery, and humor. It takes the concept of Christmas spirit beyond the material realm and beautifully displays how the spirit of goodwill, tradition and love continues to flourish even in the direst of circumstances. The film highlights the importance of not just development, but sustainable development, and encourages viewers to reflect on the true meaning of progress and how it should be balanced against preserving customs and traditions.

Nicollette Sheridan offers an excellent performance, portraying a range of emotions as her character tries to navigate a reality that is a world away from the norm. Bart Johnson infuses his character with charm and empathy, conveying his character's innate goodness and sense of justice. Amanda Foreman perfectly embodies a lovable local who fights to protect her town's charm and the values it upholds.

Director Jack Angelo masterfully crafts a film that finely balances the themes of love, mystery, selfless giving, the fight for justice, spirit realms and holiday cheer. He successfully creates an enchanting atmosphere with snowy scenes, warm lights, and holiday decorations, accompanied by a mellifluous soundtrack that complements the magical setting perfectly.

With a plot that delivers a different take on the usual holiday film tropes, The Christmas Spirit beautifully encapsulates the spirit of unity, community values, and unrelenting hope. It is a film that's perfect for the holiday season, offering a mix of romance, mystery and moral lessons, all wrapped up in an intriguing spiritual element. This film is a must-watch for those looking for a unique, warmhearted holiday experience.