A Castle for Christmas Movie Review (2024)

Parents Say: age 13+ 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

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

Educational Value

none

Meant to entertain rather than educate.
Positive Messages

some

People are more important than possessions. Community and family fill a life. Success and wealth give people the luxury of being generous.
Positive Role Models

a little

Sophie is lonely when she arrives in a small village in Scotland, but the community of knitting friends at the local pub take her in as one of their own. They're generous with their support, and in return she's generous with her wealth. Myles lives alone with his butler, Thomas, in a large castle and has grown into a surly loner, though he's also generous with the tenants of his farmlands. Thomas supports his boss (and friend) Myles.
Diverse Representations

very little

Set in Scotland, the film falls back on some stereotypes of Scots involving pubs, kilts, folk dances, and more. Some characters are Black. A man is said to have stopped talking from grief after his husband died.

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Violence & Scariness

none

An author describes all the crazy ways she could have killed off a male character.

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Sex, Romance & Nudity

very little

Some kissing. It's suggested a couple sleeps together. A man is seen from the waist up in a bathtub.

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Language

a little

"Ass," "arse," "daft," "bugger," "moron," "sod," and some other local terms all revolving around being an "idiot."
See Also
Secret Santa (Castle)Dunbar Visitor Guide - Accommodation, Things To Do & More A Castle For Christmas' Dog Explained: What Breed Hamish Is Scottish Christmas traditions

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Products & Purchases

very little

Saks Fifth Avenue, Mac, The Drew Barrymore Show, VW.
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

a little

People spend a lot of time in a pub drinking whiskey. Adults drink wine and champagne in other scenes.

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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the Scotland-set A Castle for Christmas is pretty friendly-family fare, though it isn't likely to interest the youngest. While it's a romance, there's more sparring than kissing (just a couple of kisses and it's suggested that two characters are retiring to a bedroom to sleep together). The main characters are late middle-aged, and they're both at a crossroads in life, but experience has shown them that community, family, and people are more important than possessions. One successful character is generous with her money. Adults drink alcohol regularly, from wine and champagne to whiskey at the local pub, where the town's characters hang out. Language includes "ass," "arse," "daft," "bugger," "moron," "sod," and some other local terms revolving around being an "idiot." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.

Where to Watch

Videos and Photos

A Castle for Christmas Official trailer

A Castle for Christmas

Community Reviews

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Parents say (3)
Kids say (2)

age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

IDmomof8 Adult

December 3, 2021

age 12+

Way too suggestive...should not be tv-g

I don't know how this movie got through the rating system as tv-g.While nothing is technically shown in the bedroom scene, the theme of unwed sex is definitely there. Male lead character says something like "we shouldn't do this". Female lead character coyly says "yes, we definitely shouldn't do this" while leading him into his bedroom. As a parent, that content crosses way over the borderline of "G" and firmly into "PG" territory. It is definitely not the scene I want to watch with my young family gathered around me.Also, there is a scene when the lead's daughter asks if the she is drunk and she says "not anymore". So role-model drinking thematic element. And there are multiple singing and drinking scenes which are actually fun but in a definite PG kind of way.And finally, the swearing. While this film does a great job bringing Scotland's accents and unique way of speaking, the female lead has a part where she says "You really are a a**" where she says the American curse term for Scottish "arss". Once again, crossing over into the PG territory.As far as acting, I think the whole cast did well with the exception of Brooke Shields. The whole time I was actually wishing that Drew Barrymore could have played the lead character.As far as the plot, while it was pretty holiday rom-com predictable, the uniqueness and warmth of Scotland helps move the story along in a pleasing way.I would definitely rate it higher if it just was properly rated.

The best movie in the world

I liked this movie and I have watched by far 3 times already and it’s a good movie I recommend it

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What's the Story?

Best-selling author Sophie Brown (Brooke Shields) has angered her readers by killing off a beloved character at the start of A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS. She decides to take a break and escape to Scotland to see the castle where her father grew up as a member of the groundskeeping family. When she finds out the castle is for sale, she decides to buy it. But the owner, a gruff yet handsome duke (Cary Elwes), is hoping to talk her out of it and remain in the castle himself. He negotiates a deal for the two to share the castle with the idea to make her so miserable she'll leave. He doesn't count on falling in love.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:

Parents say (3):

Kids say (2):

With all the hallmarks of, well, a Hallmark movie, this Scottish-set romance stumbles --despite likable characters -- because of a predictable story and some typecasting. Viewers of a certain age might be curious about A Castle for Christmas thanks to the pairing of stars Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes. Attractive and charismatic, they both do their best with the material, and some of their flirtatious sparring is cute. But Elwes in particular is straddled with a poorly-developed character and a laborious accent. Why the production put two England-born Brits in the lead male roles as Scots, with one of them wearing kilts even as he does house chores, is anyone's guess.

Be warned, Scottish viewers: you are once again depicted as merry, folk-dancing, whiskey-drinking, plaid-wearing pub-dwellers. Meanwhile, the arrival of the wealthy American who will bring this village and its castle back to life is played entirely straight. The Christmas timing is also gratuitous. There's a scene where two characters checking into the inn are given lingering attention. Why? Were they written out of the final film but their intro left in? It's confusing. Still, there's something refreshing about a silver screen romance starring late middle-aged actors, and the film's locations and folksy music are appealing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about A Castle for Christmas's setting in Scotland, where a character suggests there are more than 3,000 castles. Where could you go for more information about these structures?
Sophie Brown is attacked by fans of her novels for killing off a beloved character. Can you think of a real-life writer, musician, or filmmaker who has suffered a similar backlash for a creative decision? How did they handle it? Did it eventually blow over?
Look up the film's stars, Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes, if you don't already know them. What are they best known for? Have they ever worked together before?
Would this film have changed significantly if it had been set during a different time of the year than Christmas? Why or why not?

Movie Details

On DVD or streaming: November 26, 2021
Cast: Brooke Shields, Cary Elwes, Lee Ross
Director: Mary Lambert
Studio: Netflix
Genre: Romance
Topics: Holidays
Run time: 99 minutes
MPAA rating: G
MPAA explanation: language
Last updated: February 17, 2023

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A Castle for Christmas

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