The Christmas Card

Name: The Christmas Card
Genre: Christmas, Small Town, Complete Strangers
Released: 2006-01-01
Duration: 1 h 24 min
Rating: 6.8
Cast: Edward Asner, John Newton, Alice Evans, Lois Nettleton, Ben Weber

6.8/10 · 4,752 ratings20061h 24mChristmasWeirdness 2/10Bingo card

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The premise

US soldier visits the town from where an inspirational Christmas card was sent to him by a church group that mails cards out to servicemen as a goodwill effort.

Themes:The meaning of home Sacrifice and service Fate and destiny Small-town values vs. urban ambition

How unusual is it?

Honestly? Not very — and that's the charm. It plays the hits, which is exactly the point for a cozy night in.

Who’s in it

Our Guy

John Newton

as Sgt. Cody Cullen

Our Girl

Alice Evans

as Faith Spelman

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Stephen Bridgewater

Written by

Joany Kane

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

The protagonist travels halfway across the world to find a woman based solely on a generic 'Dear Service Member' card.
The father of the lead female character actively tries to replace her current boyfriend with a stranger he just met.
The 'meet-cute' involves the two leads accidentally eating off the same plate of fries in a diner.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 30 to find more movies that do the same thing.

Why we’d put this one on

One of the early Hallmark Christmas titles that fans still hold dear, and Edward Asner is a big part of why. John Newton plays a soldier serving overseas who is moved by an anonymous goodwill card, then travels to the small California town it came from to find the woman who wrote it. Asner plays her father, who takes a quick liking to the stranger. At a weirdness of 2 it is sincere, small-town, and unhurried, with a meet-cute over a shared plate of diner fries. Warm and old-fashioned in the nicest sense.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)

The film begins in Afghanistan, where Master Sergeant Cody Cullen receives a Christmas card from Faith Spelman as part of 'Operation Christmas Card.' The card's message about family, faith, and the importance of home resonates deeply with Cody. During a combat engagement, Cody's friend Jonesy is killed while trying to retrieve a photo of his fiancée. Traumatized and on leave, Cody visits Jonesy's widow before heading to Nevada City, California, to see the place described in Faith's card. Upon arrival, he has a 'meet-cute' with Faith at a diner where they accidentally share a plate of curly fries. Cody later attends the local church and meets Faith's father, Luke Spelman, a Vietnam veteran. When Cody heroically pushes Luke out of the way of a speeding vehicle, the Spelman family insists he stay at their home and work at their family lumber mill. Cody bonds with the family, particularly Luke and the widowed Uncle Richard, while Faith's long-distance boyfriend, Paul, is away on business. Paul eventually returns and senses a threat in Cody, leading to a tense dynamic. Despite Paul proposing to Faith, she finds herself drawn to Cody's sincerity and shared values. After a brief, impulsive kiss in the woods, Faith is conflicted. Cody, realizing he cannot stay while she is engaged, decides to leave town, leaving behind a handmade bench and a letter explaining that the card she sent saved his life. Faith realizes she doesn't love Paul's lifestyle and breaks off the engagement. Following a map Cody left behind, she finds him at the local Vietnam War memorial. She brings him a chicken salad sandwich with extra crispy curly fries, and the two finally embrace, beginning their life together in Nevada City.

Beat by beat

Opening
Cody receives Faith's card in Afghanistan and finds comfort in her description of Nevada City.
Inciting Incident
Cody's friend Jonesy is killed in action, prompting Cody to take leave and visit the Spelman family.
Midpoint
Cody saves Luke Spelman from a car accident and is invited to live and work with the family.
Complication
Faith's boyfriend Paul returns and proposes, creating a conflict for Faith's growing feelings for Cody.
Climax
Cody leaves a goodbye letter and a handmade bench; Faith breaks up with Paul after realizing they want different lives.
Resolution
Faith finds Cody at the Vietnam memorial and they reconcile, choosing to be together.

30 tropes in one movie

We counted 30 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

Filmed in California.
Music by Roger Bellon.

The Christmas Card is an American romantic drama television film directed by Stephen Bridgewater and written by Joany Kane. The film stars John Newton and Alice Evans, with Lois Nettleton, Peter Jason, Ben Weber, Vaughn Armstrong, and Ed Asner in supporting roles.

From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Higher-rated than 80% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog The Christmas Card belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOA musical number or live performanceA combat death sends the hero searchingSomeone proposes marriageA father nudges a stranger toward his daughterThe lead works as a small business ownerSomeone changes career for love or familyA wise elder dispenses adviceA wealthy boyfriend is away on businessA stranger is hired at the family lumber millA meaningful look held a beat too longA scene-stealing cute kidA character gives up the city for the small town★A classic Hallmark meet-cuteA soldier reads a stranger's card overseasA scenic spot becomes their meeting placeA change of heart by the final actA shared meal around a crowded tableA heart-to-heart on a porch or benchA best friend who has all the answersSomeone cooks or bakes on screenA second chance worth takingA nervous voicemail goes unsentSomeone decorates a Christmas treeA dance or a ball

Hallmark Bingo

Your The Christmas Card card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

“Our lives are not about things. Family and friends... People... are at the heart of it.”
— Faith SpelmanReading the text of her Christmas card.
“I've fallen in love with you twice now.”
— Cody CullenIn the letter he leaves for Faith at the end of the movie.
“There's something to be said for not invading where you don't belong.”
— Cody CullenExplaining to Luke why he won't fight for Faith while she's engaged.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Cody Cullen
Lead
Master Sergeant, U.S. Army
StoicLoyalHandyObservant
Faith Spelman
Love interest
Accountant at family lumber mill
Love interest and author of the card
KindTraditionalConflictedCommunity-oriented
Paul
Antagonist
International wine broker
Fiancé (later ex-fiancé)
PretentiousCareer-focusedJealous
Luke Spelman
Supporting
Lumber mill owner
Father of Faith
GratefulPatrioticMatchmaker
Rosie Spelman
Supporting
Homemaker
Mother of Faith
WelcomingPerceptiveNurturing

Questions people ask about The Christmas Card

Where can I watch The Christmas Card?

The Christmas Card is available via UP Faith & Family Apple TV channel, UP Faith & Family Amazon Channel, and Xumo Play. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

How long is The Christmas Card?

The Christmas Card runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2006.

Is The Christmas Card a Christmas movie?

Yes. The Christmas Card is a Hallmark Christmas movie, set during the holiday season.

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