The Christmas Wish

December. 06,1998      G
Rating:
6.8
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Returning to his home town after the death of the grandfather who raised him, slick and cynical Wall Street trader Will Martin feels decidedly out of place, and not at all in tune with the Christmas preparations being made by the local citizenry. But Will isn't really taking a sentimental journey at all: He's merely in town to modernize and streamline his family's real-estate company. While going through his grandfather's effects, Will and his grandmother come across the old man's diary--which reveals a lengthy relationship with a woman named Lillian.

Neil Patrick Harris as  Will Martin
Debbie Reynolds as  Ruth
Naomi Watts as  Renee
Alexandra Wilson as  Julia
Beverly Archer as  Miss Enid Cook
Gary Bayer as  Jimmy Hanning
James Greene as  Warren Martin
Jerry Douglas as  Mr. Askou
Michael Fairman as  Mr. Connor
Adilah Barnes as  Mary

Similar titles

Groundhog Day
Prime Video
Groundhog Day
A narcissistic TV weatherman, along with his attractive-but-distant producer, and his mawkish cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over.
Groundhog Day 1993
A Gift Wrapped Christmas
A Gift Wrapped Christmas
Personal shopper Gwen's newest client, Charlie, is a high-rolling, workaholic, single father. When Gwen meets his 8-year-old son, Owen, during a package drop, she is saddened to see just how little time Charlie spends with him. Determined to get Charlie to appreciate his family, Gwen makes it her Christmas mission to get him into the festive spirit.
A Gift Wrapped Christmas 2015
The Spirit of Christmas
Prime Video
The Spirit of Christmas
A woman falls in love with a man who is somewhat unavailable.
The Spirit of Christmas 2015
'Twas the Text Before Christmas
'Twas the Text Before Christmas
Addie is a New York City chiropractor mistakenly receives a text from “Nana.” The accidental text turns into a loving friendship between the matronly Nana and Addie who now communicate regularly. Nana invites Addie to spend the holiday in Vermont. It is picture-postcard perfect and exactly as Nana described except for one surprise. Nana’s single son, James, a traveling doctor is also home for the holidays. Over three consecutive years, James and Addie are together during the holidays, though it isn’t until they are both single that they begin to see each other in a different light.
'Twas the Text Before Christmas 2023
For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present
For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present
The Patterson family learns the true meaning of Christmas when Lizzie loses her stuffed bunny.
For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present 1985
Bonjour Tristesse
Bonjour Tristesse
Cecile is a decadent young girl who lives with her rich playboy father, Raymond. When Anne, Raymond's old love interest, comes to Raymond's villa, Cecile is afraid for her way of life.
Bonjour Tristesse 1958
The Bridge
Hallmark
The Bridge
The sweeping tale of Molly Callens and Ryan Kelly, two young students who share a profound friendship their first semester in college, a time that becomes the defining moment of their lives.
The Bridge 2015
A Very Murray Christmas
A Very Murray Christmas
Bill Murray worries no one will show up to his TV show due to a massive snowstorm in New York City. Through luck and perseverance, guests arrive at Gotham’s Carlyle Hotel to help him — dancing and singing in holiday spirit.
A Very Murray Christmas 2015
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Starz
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Instead of flying to Florida with his folks, Kevin ends up alone in New York, where he gets a hotel room with his dad's credit card—despite problems from a clerk and meddling bellboy. But when Kevin runs into his old nemeses, the Wet Bandits, he's determined to foil their plans to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 1992
The Three Investigators and The Secret Of Skeleton Island
The Three Investigators and The Secret Of Skeleton Island
In "The Three Investigators and The Secret of Skeleton Island" the cult detective trio from Rocky Beach, California, fall into a breath-taking mixture of adventure, thriller and mystery. Only by a hairs-breadth did they escape with their lives after the successful completion of their last case.
The Three Investigators and The Secret Of Skeleton Island 2008

You May Also Like

Top Gun: Maverick
Prime Video
Top Gun: Maverick
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.
Top Gun: Maverick 2022

Reviews

TinsHeadline
1998/12/06

Touches You

... more
Claysaba
1998/12/07

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

... more
Forumrxes
1998/12/08

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

... more
Fairaher
1998/12/09

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

... more
mark.waltz
1998/12/10

Wall Street Broker Neil Patrick Harris returns to his small town looking after his recently widowed grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) who presents a Christmas Wish to him that threatens to open a Pandora's Box. Find the mysterious Lily, someone his beloved grandfather visited every year on Christmas Eve. Shocked by the thought that his grandfather could have had an affair, Harris begins the search with the help of the patriarch's massive collection of journals. Having been raised by his grandparents after his parents were killed in a car accident, Harris is protective of their marital legacy and hopes for good news rather than either the shock of a mistress or an illegitimate child. What he discovers is more of a legacy than most people leave behind in their entire lifetime.In his grandfather's real estate office, he finds he has a hard time living up to his grandfather's memory as he deals with employee discord between one of their top real estate agents and the long-time accountant (Beverly Archer of "Mama's Family") who acts like a CEO rather than an employee. But Archer (who resembles Edith Head) is not all she seems to be and sympathy lies on her side as the truth is revealed. As Harris discovers more about his unseen grandfather (we never see a picture or a flashback), he learns what a remarkable man he was, the type that rarely, if ever, exists. This brings him to some conclusions about himself and opens up the door for further change in everybody's lives."A Christmas Wish" is one of those holiday movies that threatens to be sappy but never is. The ever-boyish Harris is excellent and gives many dimensions to a character with many levels. Ms. Reynolds, still glamorous today, gives a soft and low-key performance that will thrill her many fans and open up the door for others to check out her 60 plus years of work. There are nice cameos by two actors from "The Young and the Restless" (Michael Fairman and Jerry Douglas) as old chums of the grandfather that add to the old-school gentlemantility that is refreshing to see on screen. The revelation of who the mysterious Lily is, and the devices the writers use to make the revelation, is ingenious. This is a Christmas movie not to miss, especially without Kleenex.

... more
ydarbd
1998/12/11

chased this little gem down, had to buy it on DVD and closest place to purchase was America. lovely film.. saw it years ago on TV and always wanted to share the experience with friends that never got an opportunity to watch it themselves.never have i forgotten the story or the film's name , waited years to see would it appear on TV again. i honestly never considered buying it on DVD. have a packet of hankies ready as even a brute like me shed a tear at the twist in the story line. a real Christmas story, very true to life with a lesson for everyone. you would never catch the twist near the end. being placed in a similar situation to the characters in the movie it is easy to see how quick it would be to pre-judge somebody without knowing all the facts.this film first appeared in 1988 (ian Barry), be careful there are similarly named movies out there.....

... more
Delphian
1998/12/12

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. The story, although predictable, is interesting enough to keep one's attention. This is good wholesome entertainment, something you aren't afraid to let the kids watch. These types of movies tend to be few and far between. But we must remember that this is a made-for-TV movie, and therefore, it is unfair to compare it to classical holiday theatrical releases such as It's a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street. Nevertheless, it is a good Christmas story that bears repeat viewing.Neil Patrick Harris is the main reason this is a good movie. He tackles the rather lackluster script, bringing life to the whole film. He also out acts his poor supporting cast. One notable exception is Beverly Archer as the loyal employee Mrs Cook, who doesn't like Harris's plans for his grandfather's business. Harris, however, has obviously matured - in more ways than one - since his days as Doogie Howser. He brings a depth to his character, that is lacking in so many TV movies. I can only hope he will take his talent to the big screen more often in the future. Harris proves that not all child stars have to pass by the wayside the minute they reached adulthood.The combination of Harris' commanding performance and his urgency to find out the identity of the mysterious woman his grandfather visited every Christmas Eve, make the movie enjoyable. Perhaps it is a bit overly sentimental, but after all it is a Christmas story.

... more
Freddie-6
1998/12/13

This is a movie I switched onto by accident,and then really enjoyed it.OK so the storyline was predictable and provided an excuse for the viewers to feel sad and shed a few tears.It is one of those movies that has no violence or sex and can be enjoyed by the whole family.Maybe I am too sentimental but I gave it 9/10.

... more