BootDigest
Such a frustrating disappointment
AnhartLinkin
This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
Zandra
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
ricoroark
Sure, it was corny and formulaic, but that's exactly what I love about Hallmark movies. They're clean, have mild religious overtones, no sex, maybe just a kiss at the end. Riley talks about her family attending Midnight Mass. Love that. I believe people crave these types of movies rather than Hollywood filth with their obligatory premarital sex scenes.Riley is an appealing character, and she carried the film She's a little tart, not too mushy, not too gorgeous, but a nice down-to- earth girl you'd love for her to invite you to her parents' home for Christmas. The male lead wasn't as strong. The story wasn't all that strong, but I don't care. I liked it, and wanted to watch it until the end.
Elizabeth L
I adore hallmark movies, especially during the holidays. While some may view them as cheesy and cliché, I think they are sweet and heart warming (though quite predictable). This movie, though, was dreadfully terrible. The story plot was not bad in itself, but the writing was blah. What made the film truly fail was the lack of chemistry between the two leads. It was overwhelming obvious that if either lead had a choice of being stuck on a desert island with their costar or being stuck alone, they would choose the latter. I've seen the lead actor Steve Lund in other projects, and he's okay, but this is first time I've seen the actress Shenae Grimes-Beech and her acting in this project was way over-the-top (i.e. trying way too hard). Alas... all of it added up to awfulness. I recommend that you take a pass on this.The only bright star in this film is Jane Moffat. She did a lovely job.
mlee-53783
It's not necessarily a unique story plot... An executive takes a chance by hiring an opinionated, independent thinker. To fit in with the holiday theme, he happens to have lost a family member that always made Christmas extra special and is now sad during this time of year and so avoids it altogether. Not necessarily unique, but very sweet and had the makings of being a good movie.The biggest issue was the complete lack of chemistry between the two leads. I'm not familiar with the female lead, but she played her part well enough. (Her hair styling was weird though. Bothered me through the entire movie.) Steve Lund is a solid actor and I thought he played his role charmingly with the sensitivity inherent in his character. Unfortunately, there was no chemistry between the two of them and it made it hard to believe in them as a couple. The dialogue and interplay worked, but not as a couple. Absolutely no spark between them.One minor note regarding wardrobe... When a man is dressed in a suit (especially one at the CEO level), his cuffs should show beyond the suit jacket sleeves. I'm sure Steve Lund has long arms, but you can get a shirt with longer sleeves! That seems to be a consistent gap in all the Hallmark movies. Sorry. Its a pet peeve of mine.Having said all that, I liked the story and Steve Lund's delivery of someone rediscovering the joys of Christmas.
Laura
I'm only three quarters through this movie and it is so unbelievably awful I had to immediately get on here to vent. I don't even get excited anymore when a newly released Hallmark movie is announced because I'm finding that they are mostly not good, just poorly rehashed, poorly acted, poorly directed versions of the ones that came before. Let me be clear that I don't expect a whole lot from this type of movie, they are after all meant to be light, feel good romances. My idea of a good one is The Nine Lives of Christmas for an example of how I'm not that picky. Christmas, inc. is a travesty throughout, completely unrealistic scene after scene, and absolutely no chemistry between the leads. She acted and spoke like an over eager teenager and he seemed very awkward and uncomfortable. I've seen him before and he wasn't bad so maybe it was this particular role he had to play. Just skip this one unless you have a couple of hours to waste.
