User Reviews

Lifetime have done a number of Christmas films centered around music. Quality-wise they have varied and whether they work has always depended on the lead roles, which has always been the case. Some are surprisingly good and others either scrape average or below that. The same goes for Lifetime's Christmas output in general and their overall work. Nobody should watch a Lifetime film expecting anything award-worthy, but they shouldn't be automatically dismissed.

2019 was a variable to unimpressive year for Lifetime (better than Hallmark though on the whole). 'Winter Song' is one of their hits as far as their music-themed films go, and as far as their 2019 festive output goes it's one of the best too. In my view, would go as far to say that 'Winter Song' is one of the best they've done and that it is a beautiful film that is not quite flawless. It is different for them, being more serious in tone and poignantly so, but it is a case of different being done well.

'Winter Song' isn't flawless. It did drag on occasions.

Am another person too who had a problem with Fred's decision making regarding the surgery, which came over as too selfish and unrealistic. It is absolutely very difficult to risk losing such a big part of you, very difficult having that kind of news is like a world come crashing down moment and that is very relatable to anybody who's been there (like me), but realistically in my view a lot of people would put family and health first regardless.

However, 'Winter Song' has a lot that is great. It looks professional, with some slickly framed photography that complements and at its best magical scenery. The music can be a problem in Lifetime films (more so Hallmark though), but it wasn't here and was actually one of the film's strengths. Not only being catchy and emotional but also not being discordant with the mood. The direction has breathing space without being pedestrian and seems at ease with the material.

The script flowed naturally and didn't come over as excessively cheesy, so it was easy to take things seriously, or too schmaltzy that it felt like overdosing on sugar. The story was different for Lifetime, it doesn't follow a cookie cutter formula and is a lot more serious than most efforts of theirs. This is executed with honesty and genuine poignancy, as well as a very warm heart that doesn't get too heavy. The characters on the whole felt real and easy to get behind. The cast are strong, was very pleasantly surprised by Ashanti who gives one of her better faring performances and didn't seem forced or overwrought. The acting honours go to Stan Shaw giving one of the best performances seen by me in a Lifetime film, being one of the few to move me to tears.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.

I think this one was very cute. Not so predictable and it was a relieve it's not a love story, like all the rest usually is. Ashanti's not the best actress, but Stan Shaw is excellent! Very nice little christmas gem.

This was a tear jerker for me, but I'm a cry baby. This movie wasn't perfect, but it was nicely done. I was glad to see Ashanti. I think she shined in this roll. I think she's coming into her own with her acting. She also did well with her singing. Stan Shaw was perfect for his roll. The supporting cast was good as well. If you're softy like me get your tissue handy. I loved that it ended on a positive note. I will definitely watch it again.

I really was moved by this movie. Maybe because I wish I had a better relationship with my dad. I cried on certain parts. It was beautifully done!

This movie A Christmas Winter Song grabs you by the heart and just refuses to release you. Not your typical phoney sappy fake romance with stories or characters you dont really care about, but the performers in Winter Song are amazing. I've been a fan of Stan Shaw for decades, but I had No idea all this talent was locked inside of him. Thank goodness this film released all that has have on is the audience. His voice is majestic, powerful and beautiful his acting has always been high caliber, but his performance deserves rewarding. He Carried this film from it's beginning to it's end, my goodness mr. Shaw not only owns this film, but he'll own your heart. This is simply A New Classic in the tradition of great story telling amazing acting that pulls everything you have inside of you to the surface. His daughter played beautifully by Jamaican actress Sashani. Ashanti is wonderful. Kudos to the legendary Stan Shaw, and The Winner IS.....!

Not your typical, dumb plot, saccharine Christmas movie. Keep tissues handy, this one is about redemption and forgiveness; it's never too late. Stan Shaw's voice is still strong. It's nice to see Ashanti in a movie again.

This is what a Christmas movie should be. No making cookies or decorating the tree. But a story with warmth and love.

Stan Shaw the longtime underrated actor steals the show is this new Lifetime Network movie for the holiday season. Wanting to reconnect with his daughter he is befriended by Ashanti (also solid) who lost her father years earlier. Lots of music but what it doesn't have is the cookie cutter plot that most other Christmas themed movies have this time of year. A breath of fresh air for this holiday season.

This was such a wonderful movie. Stan Shaw shines in this role as Fred and Sashani Nichole, did a phenomenal job as Mia, his estranged daughter. Their scenes were the heartbeat of this film along with the music. Ashanti sang like an angel, and also did a good job as "Kind Clio." Giving this a 10/10 is a no brainer. The entire cast did a wonderful job as well. Loved it.

This was one of my favorites, heartwarming and sweet. Great vocals and characters.

This is a fairly unusual story among the usual Lifetime and Hallmark stories this time of year. For one thing it isn't a romance. It is a story of trying to bring family together.

Along the way we get to hear Stan Shaw sing a lot of Christmas songs and one non-traditional song, which may be original.

There are some heartwarming moments, but for me the main attraction was Ashanti singing and I'm not otherwise that familiar with her work.

We have been bombarded with mind numbingly boring Christmas themed films since September. I watched this film today with no great expectations but as it went on I got more and more involved with the storyline. Stan Shaw was superb as the ailing father wanting to reconcile with his daughter. Most of us at times have a strained relationship with one or more of our parents and this film brings these thoughts and feelings into focus. Reconciliation at Christmas was the theme but thankfully without santa and candy cane. The supporting cast was excellent throughout.

I'm truly at a loss for words. This is Lifetimes BEST Christmas movie theyve done so far this season out of the 28 movies premiering this season. This movie gives you so many different emotions. Sadness, grieving, forgiveness, happiness, your heart exploding from sweet acts of kindness and love for one another. Ashanti loses her dad a year prior & meets a special someone Fred. You will see in the movie a relationship being built between Ashanti & this Fred character and it's so incredibly beautiful and the most heart warming thing I have EVER seen. I cant say more without giving anything away which I wont do & everyone can watch for themselves but I will say this wasnt a traditional Christmas movie. No one fell in love Ashanti already has a boyfriend & is in love in the movie & it's really sweet but this movie was truly about really hard things people go through all the time which you'll see in the movie and it shined light on those harder things people deal with and the story and everything came together so beautifully and taught you the true meaning of Christmas and the highest form of loving friendship and kindness to others. Seriously one of the best movies I've seen in a really long time. 10/10 no questions asked! Ashanti did a BEYOND incredible job! Lifetime please bring her back and put her in more of your movies as a lead! I'd LOVE to see her in more! Oh but if you're going to watch this movie I swear you are going to need a whole box of tissues. It's going to touch your heart and give you all the emotional feels you could ever imagine and it's a different kind of christmas movie rather than boy meets girl and they fall in love. We DO love those movies 1000% and that's what we love most about Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas movies we love them even tho their plots are relatively all the same but this one was different and focused more on all different relationships between all different kinds of people. It truly was a masterpiece. Lifetime knocked it out of the park with this one! You can actually buy the digital copies on amazon prime video and the app Vudu which I have of 90% of the movies that have premiered this year on Lifetime. Merry liddle Christmas, staging christmas, you light up my Christmas, random acts of Christmas, twinkle all the way, my christmas wish & a very vintage christmas are all on both of those apps & I bought all the ones I just listed and quite a few others are on there too that have premiered this year for 3.99 for the SD digital copy of the movie or 4.99 for the HDX digital copy of the movie and then you have that digital copy on either of those apps to own and watch forever so I'm crossing my fingers that this movie will be put on those apps too just like all the other ones were because its beyond worth every penny! I highly recommend this movie to EVERYONE! a different kind of christmas movie there was romantic love in it but like I said it focused on other forms of love & relationships and each part added more good emotions to it. Best of 2019!! That made my whole morning after watching it and I don't think I've ever cried that much in a movie in a long time. I truly related to some of the stories in the movie that happened in my life and because it was a beautiful movie. Big kudos to Lifetime!!!