This film tries to be an update of "The Front Page" and fails. The actors are talented but the writing fails them. The entire cast however can not be blamed for the writing. The biggest mess in this television film is that it fails to explain the major plot line. More On that Later.Now this film is about Tom Lane is the star columnist for the media conglomerate owned San Francisco Sun newspaper. The company is thinking about increasing Tom's exposure by producing a new television show around him. Liz Madison is the advice columnist for the little read community newspaper, the Marin County Voice, which is a throwback to gentler times. Besides their journalistic occupations, one other similar aspect between Tom and Liz is that they are both currently single, with their friends and family doing whatever they can to find that special someone for their personal life. On November 2, the staff at the Voice learn that the Sun ownership has bought their newspaper, with the probable goal of folding it into the operations of the Sun. If this move does happen, the staff at the Voice will lose their jobs. To fight back, Liz decides to change her column to an editorial espousing the meaning of Christmas and the newspaper to the community. Because of the feisty and entertaining stance of Liz's new column, the circulation of the Voice increases so much so that the owner has second thoughts about folding it, which in turn would put Tom's new television show in jeopardy. To protect his career advancement, Tom decides to write a counterpoint column to Liz's, his about instilling some practicality into Christmas. The competing columns become a personal battle for the two columnists. But as Tom and Liz spew their mutual loathing for each other, their respective friends try to convince them of the old adage that there is a fine line between love and hate.Now what makes no sense is that she is suppose to work for a small town News Paper however its San Francisco. Hello that is not a small town. My biggest gripe is that Tom Lane Television show will not happen if "The Voice" stays in circulation. How does a newspaper impact a television show. Now what saves this film from 100% garbage is the fact David Sutcliffe is very charming. I couldn't think of what I have seen him in before and then it hit me. He reminds me of John Stamos.I wanted to like this film but I didn't. I did however like some of the scenes but I did not like the film in general.

For a few years now it has been a tradition of mine to watch a Christmas special or movie I haven't seen before on the wee hours of Christmas morning. This year, I was skimming through my PVR and thought the summary of this little movie sounded cute, reminiscent of You've Got Mail. So, I gave it a try.I am glad I did! It was pure fluff and rather a poor man's You've Got Mail, but after the stresses of shopping, it was good to sit down and watch something lighthearted. Not for someone with overtly high expectations and/or looking for a deep storyline, but worth a try. I really enjoyed the storyline and the chemistry between the actors. The lovely shots from British Columbia were a bonus.

I liked seeing David in something other than GG. He's a very nice looking man, and not a half bad actor; however, I'd like to see him in more mature roles concerning something more domestic or even more dramatic. Don't get me wrong, he's great at the roles he has been in - mostly comedy driven. I would just like to see how well he can extend himself as an actor. Like a lot of actors, they are only seen as that one main character they portray (for him it would be Chris on GG), and then those like me can't get past him playing anything else. Most actors will agree they get typecast when going out and auditioning roles. I'd just like to see David doing something a bit different.

Noted the "spoiler" caveat, to confirm to site's parameters -- but this is a film where you know not only what is going to happen, but pretty-well exactly how the whole plot is likely to proceed -- from the very outset.Still it is one of those feel-good Christmas films, a good family story, and one which doesn't demand everyone's attention constantly if at a gathering of friends or family.The two leads, Gina Meyer (Liz), and David Sutcliffe (Tom) are both newspaper columnists in the Bay Area -- he a big shot at a major San Francisco paper, she for a suburban-type, about to be taken-over by his employer's conglomerate.I was not familiar with either lead (although I suspect many others are) but I found them both attractive, engaging and likable -- both individually or with other characters and together. The supporting cast adds to the enjoyment.The story develops as a sort of mirror-image "Sleepless in San Francisco." The variation to the Hanks' scenario is that they come into contact and know one another, early-on, but come "together," finally, at the conclusion.Along the way, the story is in no way tiresome or annoyingly prolonged, as these types of stories often are.Better than most of these annual presentations, and one which should remain in future seasons -- and while not big-screen high drama (or intended to be), again, provides the kind of enjoyable, feel-good entertainment one wants at this time of year.