User Reviews

I'll watch anything with Lacey Chabert in it. She's cute, full of life and can break your heart with the gamut of emotions Brendan Penny always does fine as the male leads in Hallmark movies, as they're not required to do more than stand there and smile. Even the supporting cast is strong, led by the exquisite Sherry Miller. There's just nothing there. No emotion, no sense of doom, just two empty headed characters careening through life.

Being pushed out her company, a lurking ex, presure from her father and an old flame. Oh and on top of all that she needs to plan am event in 7 days. What else could go wrong. Well it turns out quite a lot, from canceling sercers to unreliable designers. She has a lot to deal with this christmas. And at the end of ot all she might need to make a life altering decision. I love this movie, such a great back and forth between the lead charecters.

Lacey Chabert is at it again kicking off the Hallmark romantic holiday movie season and despite her best efforts, she drowns in this bomb.

This movie lacks originality, interesting characters, a magical Santa character, and a plot. Because it literally has the same plot as every other Hallmark holiday movie, it is EXTREMELY boring to watch. The only thing that keeps this movie moving forward is the Mom, who is too dumb to realize what is going on around her so she just makes blanket declarations of directions to everyone else who don't do much more than default to awkward conversations and fake laughing.

"Luke" is the love interest and we are told he used to fight with Darcy and they did not get along back in their days on the debate team - seems fair enough. Except when we meet Luke he is about exciting as an old cat and makes zero impression that he is at odds with Darcy. In fact, he comes across as affable, friendly, and the total opposite of what was implied about his personality. After their first meeting Darcy declares that "nothing has changed" about Luke - yet we as the audience see the complete opposite and this undermines the entire movie.

Let's see how many cliche plot points this one can rack up: Female lead lives in Big City and her family lives in small town - check. Female lead has a "stressful business job" that she does not appear qualified for in any way what so ever - check. Female lead goes home for the holidays - check. Female lead's lame ex-boyfriend wants to get back together - check. Female lead runs into old love interest - check. All men in the movie are wimpy beta males - check. Upper Middle Class white collar female lead falls in love with small business owner - check. Somebody owns a small business - check. Dad is a prophetic wise old man who gives obvious advice - check. Some sort of big festival/ball/event is the climax - check. Everyone likes to sit and talk around a big empty kitchen table with a giant cup of coffee/tea/cocoa - check. Female lead does not get back together with ex-boyfriend - check. Female lead falls in love with past love interest - check. Female lead has a friend/sister/niece who gives good advice that is often ignored - check. Female lead and love interest kiss with only three minutes left on the DVR - check. Multiple plot holes, unanswered questions, and touched upon but not explained situations are not addressed in final three minutes after the kiss - check.

I truly cannot understand how/why Hallmark decided to kickoff their entire season with this hot mess. A film that is nothing but the most banal and over-used plot lines all mashed together...really Hallmark?

The stupidest line in the movie is when wimpy bashful Luke says "My phone has a camera!" Wow Luke. That was deep.

The only original element to this entire movie is the whole investment banking/finance career for our female lead Darcy. Trouble is, she does not come across as someone who knows anything two ways from Sunday about finance, banking, or demonstrating professional corporate confidence. But, since this is the first Hallmark movie to feature an investment banker female lead, I give this two stars. I give them that credit. Honestly, the stern "client" guy who comes across as a far more likely investment banker had more romantic chemistry with Darcy than Luke. It just didn't make any sense though how a successful business guy like that needed the services of a young, naive Darcy who seems a much better suited for a career as a Customer Service Representative. How much more could she possibly know about finance and investing than the client guy?

Speaking of business, the Dad dresses well, sits around his office and appears all "businesslike" but never really says anything to suggest he has a clue about running a business or finance. He seems more like a retired school teacher or something.

Overall this movie was a major disappointment. I hope the remaining 21 new movies for the 2018 season are better, surely nothing can be worse.

Lacey Chabert and Brendan Penny have great chemistry in this film. It's based on a book. I liked how they went from enemy's to lovers. I think that's what made the story so interesting and also it made it more humorous. I have been extremely impressed by hallmarks Christmas lineup this year and I hope it continues to be that way.

First off, I do like this movie. This really has nothing to with the performances of Lacey Chabert or Brendan Penny. They can really do no wrong, in my eyes. Actors can only do so much. HOWEVER! This movie runs off the rails at the end. About 30 minutes before the end of the movie, Luke finds out the staff is not coming to the big holiday fund raiser and somehow, the idea of using "child labor" seems to be a good idea. Not only do the kids get to sing for their supper, but they get to work as food servers, as well. Mom: "Well, I will never use them again." Like that will really put a crimp in their business. If they used them so often, then the catering company would move heaven and Earth to get that party staffed. Obviously, Gloria and Edward are not as important as they think they are or they are rather cheap. We then switch scenes to Darcy, her mother and sister getting ready for the party, using make-up artists and talking about how the children are better than hired help. They spend the entire scene justifying how it was meant to be that the catering staff did not show up and the idea that using children is alright because it is personal and means something. "Come to our house and see how your generous donations are being served and speaking of being served may I get one of the Pemberly Youth Center children to fetch you a canapé? Please do not worry about eating in front of them, we will feed them leftovers in the back room after everyone has left. Darcy: "I want to be of service." Mom: "I can't think of anything, more wonderful at Christmas, than being of service." As the make-up artist runs powder over her face, because she is too good to put on her own make-up. This movie is like Oliver Twist and Scrooge tied up in one, except, at the end of the movie, Darcy gets kissed by Luke but he had no time to make a Christmas goose for Tiny Tim. Great screenplay guys.