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Romantic film

Write Before Christmas (2019): Cast & Ratings

Write Before Christmas (2019) movie poster

Write Before Christmas is a 2019 romantic film directed by Pat Williams, starring Torrey DeVitto as Jessica Winthrop, Chad Michael Murray and Lolita Davidovich. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Its Echo Score is 73/100.

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Write Before Christmas (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Pat Williams
Genre
Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Write Before Christmas About?

The premise of Write Before Christmas without spoilers.

Jessica, navigating a fresh start after a breakup, decides to handwrite Christmas cards to the people who have shaped her life. These include her aunt, who provided a stable upbringing, her brother serving in the military, a beloved popstar whose music has always been a source of inspiration, a music teacher who nurtured her passion, and her honest, supportive best friend. Through these heartfelt messages, she reflects on the past and looks forward to the future.

Write Before Christmas Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • christmas
  • holiday
  • seasonal
  • christmas romance
  • cello player
  • male female relationship
  • brother brother relationship
  • pop star
  • singer songwriter
  • soldier
  • brother sister relationship
  • aunt niece relationship
+22 more
  • photographer
  • man breaks up with woman
  • dog adoption
  • widow widower relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • music store
  • gift
  • music audition
  • christmas song
  • concert
  • kiss
  • dinner
  • fall
  • male bonding
  • party
  • chore
  • ritual
  • loyalty
  • christmas card
  • christmas in title
  • holiday in title
  • three word title
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Cast & crew

Write Before Christmas Cast & Characters

Torrey DeVitto leads the cast as Jessica Winthrop, with Chad Michael Murray as Luke Wilson and Lolita Davidovich as Aunt Lila. Directed by Pat Williams; 28 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Write Before Christmas

· 24 more
Show all 28 cast members
From the director

More from Pat Williams

More films directed by Pat Williams: Joy for Christmas, Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Love in Winterland and Christmas Bells Are Ringing.

Full filmography
Ratings

Write Before Christmas Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).

73 /100

Write Before Christmas Echo Score Breakdown

Write Before Christmas delivers a pleasant holiday experience that benefits from an inventive premise and solid performances, though its many intertwining subplots sometimes strain cohesion. Reviewers commend the film’s warm tone, appealing leads, and festive production values, while noting occasional uneven pacing and over‑plotting. The net impression is that the movie offers a charming, if imperfect, addition to the seasonal catalog, making it enjoyable for most viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    ART: The film’s direction maintains a steady momentum, guiding several storylines without feeling rushed. Cinematography presents a charming seasonal palette, and production design contributes to a cozy holiday ambiance. Editing is competent, keeping scene transitions clear despite the multiple subplots. While occasional uneven pacing is noted, overall the technical craft supports the film’s warm tone.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    CHARACTER: Performances are generally praised, with Torrey DeVitto and Chad Michael Murray noted for strong chemistry and engaging presence. Supporting actors contribute appealing portrayals, and even the canine cameo receives positive mention. Critics, however, observe that character depth is limited and some roles feel under‑developed amid the crowded ensemble. Overall, the acting adds warmth, though the lack of substantial development tempers the impact.

  • Story & Flow 65

    STORY: The narrative centers on a novel premise—sending Christmas cards to five influential people—which earns praise for originality and emotional resonance. The interwoven subplots create a lively, festival‑rich tapestry, yet reviewers point to over‑plotting and uneven screen time that can dilute focus. Pacing is generally measured, but the conclusion is seen as neatly resolved, contributing to a mixed but overall enjoyable story flow.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    SENSORY: The soundtrack features a brief cello piece and an original song that complement the festive setting without overwhelming it. Sound design is unobtrusive, allowing dialogue and ambient holiday noises to blend smoothly. Visual style benefits from pleasant lighting and tasteful set decoration, creating a cozy atmosphere. While not groundbreaking, the sensory elements consistently reinforce the film’s warm, seasonal mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    REWATCH: Viewers frequently cite the film’s feel‑good premise and charming performances as reasons to revisit, with several noting a desire to watch again during the holidays. The festive visual and auditory cues, along with the heart‑warming message, contribute to replay value. Nonetheless, the dense plot may deter repeated viewings for some, resulting in a solid but not essential rewatch factor.

Details

Write Before Christmas Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “PS: Es weihnachtet sehr” and “Напиши перед Рождеством”.

Also known as
  • PS: Es weihnachtet sehr
  • Напиши перед Рождеством
  • Cinq cartes de voeux pour Noël
  • Коледни послания
  • Cartões de Natal
  • P.S. Es weihnachtet sehr
  • Un biglietto per Natale
  • Pět přání k Vánocům
  • Cinq Cartes de vœux pour Noël
  • Levél karácsony előtt
  • Napisz przed Bożym Narodzeniem
  • Šventiniai atvirukai
+1 more
  • Päť vianočných prianí

Seen Write Before Christmas?

FAQ

Write Before Christmas FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Write Before Christmas, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Write Before Christmas?

Write Before Christmas runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Write Before Christmas released?

Write Before Christmas was released on November 17, 2019.

Who directed Write Before Christmas?

Write Before Christmas was directed by Pat Williams.

More films by Pat Williams

Who is in the cast of Write Before Christmas?

Write Before Christmas stars Torrey DeVitto as Jessica Winthrop, Chad Michael Murray as Luke Wilson and Lolita Davidovich as Aunt Lila, among 28 credited actors.

Does Write Before Christmas have a post-credit scene?

No. Write Before Christmas has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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