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Parents' Guide to

Christmas in the City

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Sweet but cliched story about regaining Christmas spirit.

Movie PG 2013 87 minutes
Christmas in the City Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

age 8+

This title has:

Great messages

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This is a pleasant but utterly generic movie about vanishing Christmas spirit and the few who still feel the real spirit in their hearts. Dear, sweet people who love caroling and drinking hot cider triumph against evil souls promoting Christmas' commercial side. Some version of this unsurprising movie has been shown on Hallmark and/or Lifetime channels for decades. The good news is that it's kid-friendly, with no language, behavior, or sexuality (save a few guys without shirts) to offend anyone, unless what offends you is complete lack of originality. The actors are mostly competent and likable. Watch for Christmas in the City's highlight, in which two characters who are falling in love sit at a piano and sing a startlingly beautiful version of "Noel."

For city-dwellers who have lots of Christmas spirit, the movie may seem condescending as it implies that only small-towners know the real meaning of Christmas. In any case, from the moment the plot conflicts establish themselves, there will be no doubt as to how this movie ends.

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