On the 12th Date of Christmas

Was really quite surprised by 'On the 12th Date of Christmas'. In a very pleasant way. While there are plenty of at least watchable Hallmark Christmas films, there are very few that are great and some of them struggle to even reach mediocre. So this could have gone either way. The title was not as corny as other Hallmark Christmas titles and the premise was sort of intriguing, even if fairly typical but in a different setting/basic scenario.

'On the 12th Date of Christmas' is no award winner or a masterpiece, but that was not expected. It is not realistic to expect that from a Hallmark film, Christmas or otherwise. 'On the 12th Date of Christmas' is a very charming and surprisingly very well executed film by Hallmark standards, and not only is it one of the best 2020 Hallmark Christmas films (along with 'Cranberry Christmas' and 'Five Star Christmas') it is also close to being one of the overall best of their festive output.

Will agree that the side-plot was an odd distraction and felt irrelevant.

Also thought that Tyler Hynes' character took a while to get used to, he seemed too sullen and introverted at first. Not many surprises, quite easy to figure out how the loose ends were going to be tied up.

However, Mallory Jansen is perfectly cast and very charming and sincere. Once Hynes' character relaxes, Hynes also comes out of his shell and is every bit as likeable and honest. Their chemistry is very genuine and natural and it develops at a realistic rate. The film also makes the most out of it, and doesn't take too long to develop it or make it jump around. Jansen's character is a breath of fresh air while not being too perfect and Hynes' does become easier to like later. The supporting cast are solid and the characters engage and interest.

Did think that 'On the 12th Date of Christmas' looked good, especially the at its best picturesque photography. The music is fitting with the atmosphere and more subtle in placement and tone than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films, that are known for intrusive music. The dialogue has some corn but takes itself more seriously than most Hallmark films, with some welcome levity here and there, without being overly so and it has flow and heart. Also really liked that the film did something different from the usual formula and didn't execute it too conventionally, and did it in a way that was light-hearted and heart-warming.

Very well done all in all. 8/10.

Cute story with lots of imagination, loved the imaginative ways they interpreted the 12 Days of Christmas. The two main characters/actors are very likable, and the romance believable. Much better than some of the other holiday movies I've seen.

This is my 10th Hallmark Christmas movie of the 2020 season. Overall, it was very good; it is at the top of my list thus far. The plot/story was predictable, as one expects with Hallmark movies, but it kept me engaged thru-out. The acting was really good overall. As usual, Tyler Hynes's performance (a Hallmark regular) was very good. He is one of my favourite Hallmark male leads. I know Mallory Jansen from the sitcom Gallivant, where she played the Queen. She too had a great performance. Moreover, they had chemistry, which has been a problem with a few of the Hallmark Christmas movies this season thus far. The script was well written too, especially the dialogue between the two leads. I do have one critique here: the writer(s) should have known that the 12 days of Christmas start on Christmas day; they are not the days leading up to (and including) Christmas day. I am surprised how many people do not know this. Finally, the movie is enjoyable to watch and instils a bit of Christmas spirit. Fans of Hallmark Christmas movies will not be disappointed.

The lead actors in this movie have good chemistry. The pace of the movie is good and I enjoyed the story line. I had not seen Mallory Jansen in any other movies but enjoyed her acting, not overacting and not goofy. This movie is definitely worth the watch.

I'm glad to see a bit more creativity put into at least a few of the 2020 Hallmark Christmas movies. Typically the same plot is used over and over. But this one is unique and much better than average.

The plot involves two people who work for a game company who are put on a tight-deadline project to create a game for a new hotel in Chicago. They end up putting together a "12 days of Christmas" scavenger hunt that incorporates historic Chicago landmarks and neighborhoods. There were some clever poems/riddles as part of the game, and you get basically a travelogue of Chicago too. The leads were also both appealing and there was genuine chemistry with a nice romance arc.

This one deserves to go on regular rotation on your watch list.