Steve Woodward What a treat. When the movie started, and it was proclaimed a "Hallmark" show, I was prepared for overly sentimental fluff... what else?Was I in for a surprise. A magnificent, yet elegant look at the power of love in healing, and the power of real magic. Some movingly insightful takes on how uptight our society is, and how fearful we are of both the unknown and of ourselves. Non-violent conflict resolution is demonstrated as a fine art, something profoundly engaging and compelling to me in these perilous times. In fact, so many issues, from alternative healing to the very nature of health -- spiritual, physical, whatever you wish to call it -- were addressed with such an adroit hand. There's a lot packed into this little gem.I'm delighted to see there's a sequel. I'm off to watch it now, "The Good Witch's Gift (2010).

ctomvelu1 Old-fashioned, never-never-land fable about a mysterious woman who comes to a small town to claim an inheritance, specifically, the town's notorious haunted house. She sets up a shop full of potions and gemstones and charms, which does not go down well with the mayor's pompous wife (and tellingly, the only fat woman in the entire cast). This chubby busybody, straight out of a 1940s comedy, is convinced the new arrival is a witch (she does own a black cat and an antique broom) and spends the rest of the film trying to drive her out of town. Meanwhile, the newcomer performs a series of subtle good deeds that help various town folk with problems ranging from sterility to bullies. This Hallmark movie bears more than a passing resemblance to "Bell Book and Candle," and in fact the reputed witch names her New Age-y store Bell Book and Candle. The delectable Catherine Bell plays the mysterious woman, a woman similar to the character played by Kim Novak in "Bell Book and Candle." Since this is a Hallmark TV movie, Bell has to rein in her incredible sensuality, but she's still quite a dish even while playing more of a Mary Poppins character. I got a kick out of the cover for this one, which shows Bell grasping what appears to be a long, black phallic object, while giving us a knowing smile. The object, if you look hard enough, is actually a very long broomstick. Familiar TV actor Chris Potter plays the local sheriff, a widower with two small children who is smitten by Bell at first sight. Spending an evening alone on a couch in front of a roaring fireplace, wineglasses in hand, Bell and Potter manage one chaste kiss -- no tussling in the sheets for these two. This is a Hallmark movie, after all. So a chaste kiss is all we get. Entertaining, low-key family movie that was shot in Canada.

Hoolie357 I've seen the movie twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. If you live in a small town, you can really appreciate different aspects of this movie. Catherine Bell is wonderful. She really makes you fall in love with Cassandra Nightingale. All of the characters are wonderfully cast. Chris Potter is great as Police Chief, Jake Russell. The children are fun and believable. I couldn't help but smile throughout the whole movie. It is wholesome and fun. A movie for the whole family. The movie has some really cute twists and turns. The first movie I've seen in a while with no sex, violence or foul language. A very typical Hallmark feel-good movie. I LOVED IT and hope to see several sequels.

TxMike This is a Hallmark movie shown last night. We generally like Hallmark movies and this is a nice one. In many ways it reminded us of the Fench movie "Chocolat."I hadn't seen Catherine Bell since I watched 'JAG' a few years ago. She started on that show as a 28-year-old, and while we weren't watching she turned 40. She is as pretty as ever, and really a good actress too.Here she is the new lady in this small town, Cassandra Nightingale. There is an old, dilapidated house that the kids think is haunted, and Cassie turns up there. Seems she now owns it and plans to make their small town her new home. She opens a small shop specializing in herbs and scents.We first see her "power" as two kids are chased by a menacing dog that broke loose and escaped his yard. Cassie held the dog and whispered to it, and after that it was nice to everyone, much to the consternation of the owner.The two kids happened to belong to widower Chris Potter as Jake Russell, the town Sheriff. Chris takes a certain liking to Cassie, but there is trouble in town. The mayor's wife is a busybody and seeks to "protect" the integrity of the town and takes it upon herself to run Cassie and her business out.Good movie. It is never established positively that Cassie is a witch, but the story sure hints at it.I see that "Good Witch 2" is now in production.