Boyfriends of Christmas Past

I don't know if marketing people themselves are actually the ones writing these stories or what, but if I have to see one more Hallmark movie about a marketer I'm going to throw my hot chocolate at the screen. I'm sick of movies about people trying to reform workaholics in general. "Oh my gosh y'all look how busy I am!" Too busy to watch Hallmark movies I bet, so have mercy on the rest of us. Just once I want to see some chill people falling in love and enjoying their lives. I would ask what the selfless social worker even saw in her but he was one of those dudes who waits around forever to date a woman by being her "friend," so never mind they deserve each other. Kind of a toxic story, the emotional parts weren't emotional, and the funny parts weren't funny.

It's interesting that a lot of the bad reviews are comparing this movie to Dickens' A Christmas Carol, which it is loosely based on, when truthfully it should be compared to the Matthew McConaughey movie 'Ghosts of girlfriends past', of which it is very alike. Whilst this isn't quite as good, it's more than acceptable.

The lead actress Catherine Kim is too old for the part and is a fairly modest actor to make up for it. Not a good combo. Great acting could've saved the obvious age difference between the two leads especially up against the vibrant leading man.

The leading man, Raymond Ablack, was unhelpful by being a first rate actor and made the disconnect between the two even more distinct.

The story was benign and writing was fair but uninspired. This all kept it from being a "watch again" for me. Do more with Mr. Ablack, tho, please. He has real star quality and acting chops. Agree with others that he needs a shave, tho.

All in all, blah.

I actually really liked the concept here, putting a romantic twist on A Christmas Carol. I am also fine with the two leads. I really like Asian women, and though others have complained about her age, Asian women tend to look young longer, and it didn't bother me at all. If there is an issue here, it is just that the male lead was significantly out of her league.

That kind of leads me to my main issue with this movie. The issue that causes me to give it among the lowest ratings I've ever given a Hallmark Christmas movie. The issue is that I am a man, and this movie is SO written for women. Normally, not a big deal, as all Hallmark movies are written for women, but this is such a female fantasy that it gets on my male nerves. Yeah, I know there have been plenty of movies and books through the years that were essentially male fantasies, but that doesn't mean I need to enjoy this.

The fantasy here is that a woman can blaze through a series of great guys with an even greater guy in the friendzone, and no worries, that greater guy will still be there patiently waiting for you once you've finally decided to give up the boyfriend train and show the man some affection for once.

No, I'm afraid her friend would have had plenty of options and been long gone by time she finally came around.

Frankly, this is the only Christmas movie that would have been best served by the male lead telling the female lead to buzz off at the end. THAT would have been a great ending.

It's an okay movie but the whole Christmas past thing is over played. Also Lauren... Is not it. Her acting is terrible. Nate is great. I actually met him on set for Degrassi auditions haha small world. They should've cast another female though. Sorry Lauren. The ending was pretty obvious. Within the first few minutes I knew what would happen.