ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

SincereFinest disgusting, overrated, pointless

Mischa Redfern I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Christmas-Reviewer Fifth-grader Felix Funicello (Ralff), the cousin of famous Mickey Mouse Club Mousekteer and teen idol/movie actress Annette Funicello, lives in the fictional small town of Three Rivers, Connecticut. In 1964, he and his classmates at St. Aloyius Gonzaga Parochial School have a momentous fall semester after lay substitute teacher Madame Frechette (Ringwald) and Zhenya, a new student from Russia, arrive. Madame Frechette implements a new concept for the school's Christmas pageant and competition for key roles ensues. The story is narrated in the present day by Felix as an adult (Chase)The cast delivers in this film. Everyone is perfectly cast. The film is also captures the feeling of America in the 1960's. I loved the fact that this film had great moments of comic relief. It is self aware not to become a film that will send you into a diabetic attack. The film has minor sexual innuendo that small children won't understand. However I think most kids under 10 won't want to watch this anyway. The film was made for Lifetime Television and when it airs watch it. Its a rare Christmas Treat and not a Christmas fruitcake

clancyrts A very loving Christmas story, well directed and played by a fine cast. The lead character is especially enjoyable, as such a story demands, and there is not the usual Hollywood overplay on bad versus good characters. Everyone has their own personality as people do, neither dastardly nor saintly, just people/kids. My wife and her sister watched it with me, we are TCM and movie fans in general. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I did, by the way, experience many Catholic Christmas school plays as a child. Our parish priest was not a heavy drinker, he smoked a cigar, some of the nuns were certainly way out there, and the kids mostly looked at the old round clock waiting for 3pm. Lay teachers were uncommon but I had one in 4th grade, not as colorful as Molly Ringwald, but just as devoted.

ldamboise This movie was fantastic. Not only did we find ourselves laughing throughout the movie, but it really spun a story that we got invested in. The cast was a great mix, really drawing us in, as if we were there experiencing it along with them. I'm so glad that we watched this movie! This is a movie that the whole family can enjoy for sure. My husband is more of an action movie type of guy and he was laughing through the entire movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone! They also did a fantastic job portraying the period of time this movie was supposed to take place. So authentic!!! They focused on every last little detail!!! I just can't say it enough, they did everything right to pull us right in to the story and feel as if we were truly there!!!!

laurene777 I laughed so hard that noise didn't come out of my mouth. This movie brought back so many wonderful childhood memories because the situations were realistic and probably common to most of us. My husband stayed awake through it all, and I know it had to be entertaining to keep his attention.It was a joy seeing the local High School being used in the movie. I also enjoyed all the vintage design elements of the 1960's era; the way the kitchen table was set, clothing, hairstyles, Christmas decorations, cars, etc. I know we take these elements for granted when we see a film, but these folks really thought things through to the tiniest details.The cast did a great job. We were especially impressed with the children because they were so believable in their parts. Wally Lamb's upbeat personality showed through in his book and in this movie. He acknowledged that he included a little bit of his own childhood. We all have our favorite Christmas movies; ones that we enjoy seeing with family and friends, movies that inspire us and help us reflect on what's important in life. I think Wishin And Hopin could be the new Christmas classic because it meets all that criteria.