User Reviews

Given the genre, the movie was sorta/ kinda entertaining.

Sure, I think he *can* probably act, but though he tries and occasionally succeeds: (I'm generous that way), poor Brendon Zub doesn't sound remotely French. As other reviewers have noted that 'orrible accent meant that I spent much time Googling, trying to see if he was possibly French-Canadian, and I was wrong & being picky - which detracted from giving full attention to the storyline.

Please, Hallmark - you must be able to get actors who genuinely have French as their first language? I have nothing against Brendon Zub - PLEASE cast him again. But y'all went wrong here!

The owner and baker of a bakery but we never see her in the kitchen? The bakery opens sometime late in the morning? Treats and goodies just magically appear on all the shelves? I would also like to know why - in these Christmas movies, the female is always bratty and high strung; the male is calm and condescending. This movie exemplifies the millennials in our company, I guess. Elves will do the real work and it's okay to be bratty if you look precious.

Like the other reviewer, I have the same opinion. It had the potential to be really good but I couldn't get over the fact the guy had a completely made up French accent. There really was no need for it. He actually seemed like a sinister character instead of the love interest because his accent was so obviously fake.

It's a usual sappy Christmas movie, but I thought it was cute! I liked the mystery of the calendar and the rivalry between the bakers. Laura Bell Bundy reminds me of Doris Day. She's adorable!

This movie had the potential to be a 10. Good plot, great casting, and especially Laura Bell Bundy. The problem is someone gave our leading man a fake french accent which messes up everything! He could have been from Philly or Chicago and the story line would have worked better without the dreadful fake accent. I could not fully enjoy this movie because of it. The best part of the movie was Laura Bell Bundy. She brought charm, feeling, and humor and made a poor movie watchable. The male lead was really good until he started speaking. my score 4

'The Christmas Calendar' has a very appetising title. While it was not an innovative one, the concept also sounded promising. Part of me was rather wary though, having seen and heard lots of people disliking the film and for many of my past Christmas film viewings the general consensus has more often than not spot on or close to. Have been known to have some contrarian opinions myself so was preparing myself for being pleasantly surprised.

Only to be met with disappointment. 'The Christmas Calendar' is one of those films that does nothing with any of the promise it had and is a very weak and under-baked film overall, despite having a few good things in the mix. While there are worse Christmas films and worse films out there, there are so many flaws here in 'The Christmas Calendar'. All big and the worst of the flaws are quite terribly executed. Of all the recently viewed Christmas films, this is one of the worst.

As said, 'The Christmas Calendar' has a few good things. It looks good, the scenery is attractive enough and well complemented by the photography. Some of the soundtrack is pleasantly nostalgic.

Laura Bell Bundy is the best thing about the film though. She has a very lively presence and is very charming.

Sadly that can't be said for the rest of the cast, the supporting cast all overact in very colourless roles and Brendan Zub is too stiff and intense as the male lead. Much has been said about his accent and understandably, it is distractingly awful and gives him too much of a creepy vibe. His chemistry with Bundy is barely existent and any signs of it has no spark and doesn't look comfortable. The relationship is severely under-cooked and doesn't develop. None of the characters are well developed and their negative character traits are overdone, only Emily is halfway rootable.

Furthermore, the script is not too brilliant either. Too half-baked and veers on sugary as well as bland. It often sounds awkward as well. The story lacks charm, heart and any conflict, is paper thin and never gets into gear. Everything is obvious from the get go and there are too many less than realistic contrivances in a film that plays it too safe, yet another film as well to finish on a prematurely obvious and too tidy note.

Overall, weak. 3/10

This is a sweet and loving feel good movie, I feel it shows the spirit of Christmas, there are many moviegoers that think it is a bad movie but it is not, I am not a fan of Christmas movies but it is one of the best I have seen, another notable movie is Angels In The Snow, a must see movie.

Worst acting I've seen in years by all, do not recommend!

French accent baker girl gives lead woman her Christmas pres 2 weeks before Christmas? so tired of the same one dimensional frigid lead female. People tend to be nice with a dark side or vice versa. And showing one dimensional characters in movies really kills credibility. Competition worker drops bread on floor and puts back on shelf? wtf? One minute the 2 are still quarelling and after commercial break they're giggling and making truffles and feeding each other chocolate at his house? I think a chunk is missing. 17 min mark shes' opening door for customers and she flips sign over twice. last night of calendar she opens note at 4pm when it was lunch time all week. the accent is so unbelievably horrid, like a car accident on the road you cant help watch. The reason I torture myself on tihs is because I cook for a living and feel compelled to watch cook/bake themed movies, if nothing else but to see how unreal they are. Zero baking in this movie, no aprons, no mess, no prep. Just 2 girls standing at a counter chatting all day....really fake story. In addition to all those holes, the movie lacked depth in character development with any other actors. A good movie has focus on main characters but also on side ones. Zero stars if I could.

I always like Laura Bell Bundy she is kind of weak in acting lead and why does Brendan Zub have to be French.

Good movie but needs stronger leads.

More Christmas details on advent calendar.

Love Greg Rogers and supporting cast.

That French accent is so completely horrendous! Ultimate cringe.

Before i even mention the hideous accent, can we talk about the lead being an entitled brat who throws a hissy fit when she doesn't have her own way. So this guy pitches up in her bakery with the worst french accent you've never heard (more fakery than bakery) And because he doesn't tell her his life story, and he is also a baker, she throws a meltdown and acts like a Karen right at his place of work in front of customers. THEN a while later he is innocently handing out freebies outside his store, and she marches over and starts yelling at him on the street. This woman is insane, and he spends HIS time accommodating her rudeness and finding her adorable. I switched off after 40 minutes of this generic rubbish being displayed.