A Holiday in Harlem

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Christmas In New York AKA A Holiday In Harlem.

Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.25/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2

Total 6.00/10

This seasonal love story is your basic awakening tale. Jazmin has a stable job and hasn't returned home in years because of her memories and the feelings they stoke. However, this year she's forced back by her Grandma and a little guilt trip (ain't Granny's masters of that psychological art). Because of an accident Jazmin causes, Granny's laid up and can't arrange the annual Christmas Jamboree, so guilt-ridden Jaz steps up to the plate. Little does she know that this Christmastime, her gift, will be the opening of her eyes, soul, and heart. The writer does a fair job of intertwining a few storylines. However, there are a couple of missed opportunities to add extra depth to this tale. The main one is the recoupling of Jaz's parents. After years of suffering through their separation, where Granny's house was the drop-off and pickup point for Jazmin during the annual Chrimbo kiddie shuffle, they have now gotten back together, once again forgetting there's a third member of their family. This plot line would've been marvellous to show the trials and tribulations that kids go through. Sadly, the writer glosses over it, and everything is Christmas Magicked away into Happily Ever After Land. They still could've had the same outcome but with more potency embedded into the matter, making for a more powerful story - something outstanding. But that's the sad thing about this picture: Everything is average and rehashed, and oftentimes feels that way. Even the direction, while decent, isn't outstanding, and the film, as it stands, could've benefited from more light-heartedness and heartwarming Christmasness.

I enjoyed Holiday In Harlem, but it's not a movie I'd revisit soon. As such, I'd only recommend it for viewing whenever your Christmas Movie watchlist is exhausted.

Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.

What a sweet Christmas show! I can see this will be a new classic!

The acting is all good and with the usual relaxed Christmas pacing with an above average relatability with the characters.

It was different for me seeing the usually dominant and elegant Tina Lifford portraying the grandmother matriarch. She did get to bring her assertive presence to the role though!

The romantic couple were cute and I guess it's better that they seemed to have no chemistry at the start. I thought oh no! This is a miss! But they grew on me as they seemed to grow on each other. I liked Jaz's dismissiveness! He guy I love with her was a real PITA and she handled it appropriately as a woman should Imo. Good back bone! No spoiler here!

I would imagine everyone will enjoy this new Christmas show!

I struggled to get through the first thirty minutes or so, I am afraid. And it wasn't until the last thirty that I started to truly engage with the story, engage with the performances. At face value, the story is a warm and sweet one. With a city neighborhood as the backdrop, the movie gives you a bit of a sense of Harlem during the holiday season (I've been told). And, as another reviewer has pointed out, inner-city settings in Hallmark movies are rare. The story revolves around Jazmin (played by Olivia Washington), a successful corporate fixer who returns to Harlem for Christmas (the neighborhood where she grew up) after a bit of a talking to by Mama Belle (played Tina Lifford), as she puts it, 'I don't want any more dried fruit baskets. I want to see you'. When Mama Belle is injured in a yoga accident, Jazmin decides to stay longer and takes over the block's annual Christmas Jamboree. However, there is one catch, she has to co-chair the event with her old best friend Caleb (played by Will Adams). And so, our romance begins, as we watch the two prepare for this community holiday event, all the while reconnecting and maybe, just maybe, falling in love. The script was decent. The writer (and director), I thought, did a good job of setting the scene (e.g., the opening scene thru the neighborhood) and portraying a sense of community spirit. The dialogue too, especially between Mama Belle and Jazmin, felt real, authentic. One problem with the story, with the script, however, is the balance between drama, comedy, and romance is a bit off in some parts of the film. These elements should reinforce each other, reinforce the overarching narrative of the story, and this is not always the case here. Another issue is the acting. Overall, it is a mixed bag. I had a difficult time connecting with Washington's performance. She has several noticeably awkward scenes, particularly early on in the movie, which made her performance difficult to engage with, I felt. Don't get me wrong, she does have some good scenes, particularly in the second half of the film. Indeed, her performance in the latter half is strong. Similarly, Adam's performance took a while to grow on me. Unfortunately, the chemistry between the two was not very convincing. Simply put: their romance never really developed on-screen. I did not feel it, especially their kiss at the end. This is partly due to the script, as another reviewer suggests, and partly due to the acting, of course. What stood out for me, and what arguably kept this one afloat, was the performance of Lifford. She was absolutely delightful in her role as Mama Belle. Finally, the movie does instill a bit of Christmas spirit and holiday cheer. There are some fun and festive scenes, including the Christmas Jamboree. And you got to love the Christmas sweaters. What's up with the soundtrack? The music for much of the first hour is a bit odd, and distracting at times. All in all, 'A Holiday in Harlem' is a decent Hallmark Christmas movie, a warm story with some unexceptional acting.

There are so many versions of a Christmas Jamboree in these movies. And the leading lady was dealing with a promotion for her job. But neither was quite the usual we expect.

The Jamboree had some different festivities than the typical. I loved the basketball thing with Santa. There were other things.

And instead of the usual idea of a promotion or else, this time, the lead was ready to pass on a promotion with no contigencies.

It was a very nice story showing some customs we don't usually see on Hallmark and a budding but rekindled romance. I wish I could say there was more chemistry between Olivia Washington and Will Adams. It was building, but there were so many other things and relationships going on that the romance didn't get as much screen time as I'd like.

I didn't get Jazmin at first, but as we see her backstory it makes more sense. What didn't make sense is that this big time "fixer" seemed to accomplish things more through luck and generosity of others than her own skill. I don't see how a good "fixer" can do well without starting out with better team dynamics. Jazmin took a long time to adapt to her team.

The editing ruined it. Just terrible.

Great performances ruined by sloppy qork in the edit room.

The editing ruined it. Just terrible.

Great performances ruined by sloppy qork in the edit room.

Great performances ruined by sloppy qork in the edit room.