Zoooma
A Hallmark Hall of Fame production so the quality is definitely above and beyond a normal made-for-Hallmark Channel movie. Released about twice a year to American television, these are usually pretty good movies which would sometimes be able to compete in the theaters. Anne Heche and Tate Donovan were both very good in the lead roles. The story is mostly about a runaway teen but there's surely a nice Christmasy feel here. Other Hallmark Hall of Fame productions have a way of really tugging at the heartstrings but this falls a bit short of that. Still a nice little movie for Christmastime.--A Kat Pirate Screener
danielwesthoff511
I enjoy all the Hallmark Holiday films, however, "Silver Bells," was one of the better ones. A simple enough story that we can all relate with, Tate Donovan plays Christy Byrne a widower, who goes to New York a month before Christmas to hawk his Christmas trees every year, and he brings his two children Danny (played excellently by Michael Mitchell) and Bridget (Courtney Jines).Problem is, Danny doesn't want to miss school, or take over his father's business as Donovan's Christy wants for him. He wants to go to college to be a photographer. And, one year, during this Christmas hiatus after an argument with his father about his life and future, Danny runs away in the big city.The bulk of the story takes place the next Christmas. Christy has been looking for his son the past year - wants to reunite and make amends. However, unbeknownst to him, Danny is not only surviving, but thriving int he big city, and is being harbored and helped by Catherine O'Mara (one of Anne Heche's most likable roles!).The story gets more involved when Christy and Catherine begin a potential relationship, and Catherine has to come clean to Christy about his boy. It's a wonderful and intelligent holiday film and I really enjoyed it.8 STARS for this film. And, like all Hallmark movies, you can purchase this on DVD at most Hallmark stores. That's how I bought my copy of the DVD after watching it on T.V.
beebertie
I just love Chistmas stories, all Christmas stories. The photography is excellent. You can almost feel the wonderful chilly weather. This is a film for the entire family having to deal with today's problems: Parent & Child Communication. We have to listen to what our children are saying to us. Often times parents insist on living out their dreams through their children, and not letting their children live out their own dreams. All children are gifted in some way. We as parents have to help our children realize their own dreams. We want to cushion the falls that our little ones are going to have along the way, but experience is an excellent teacher. No matter how old we are, we still keep learning even when we are old and gray. I do wish the full cast would've been listed in the credits. Often times these little films are shown only once, so it is best to plan on watching to see if it will be a "little diamond in the rough". Since I had my trusty VCR working, I'll be able to look at it a second time. There are more of life's lessons to learn in "Silver Bells".
Tamarah
I just finished reading the novel "Silver Bells," by LuAnne Rice this last Friday while on vacation in the woods of Tennessee (and by a roaring fire in the fireplace!). I really liked the book, and was anticipating the TV movie. Normally, the Hallmark Hall of Fame productions are enjoyable; and, and I knew they probably would digress from the book a bit to get it into the television time frame. However, as I sit watching this (as I type, in fact!), I find myself very disappointed in how much the movie digresses from the novel. And, while I have nothing against the acting skills of Anne Heche or Tate Donovan, I wouldn't have pictured either of them for the roles they were given. If I had not read the book, I probably would have rated this movie higher; the movie itself is okay, but if it had stuck closer to the original story, it would have been much better.My suggestion? Skip the movie and read the book--it's magical!
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