Navidad de cinco estrellas

Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. The idea of the film did sound predictable and similar to other hotel etc-set Lifetime/Hallmark films.

The 2020 output from Hallmark did vary in quality but was not near as bad or wildly uneven as it could have been. None of the films from the batch were really terrible, and a small handful of them were actually very good. One of the best, maybe a strong contender for the best, was 'Five Star Christmas'. The setting and basic scenario sounded quite familiar, but 'Five Star Christmas' actually managed to be one of the few Christmas films in recent years to do something different to the usual (namely with it being more comedic than most).

It drags ever so slightly in the final quarter and the married sister subplot wasn't as compelling or as well developed as the rest of the film.

'Five Star Christmas' has so much that is great on the other hand. It looks lovely, have nearly always loved the scenery in Hallmark films (especially their Christmas output) and it is beautiful here and filmed very lovingly. The music is appropriately festive and doesn't come over as intrusive or overdone, which is not the case with many other Hallmark films.

Was very surprised at how good the script was. It was not cheesy. It was not too sentimental or over-schmaltzy, while having touching well intended moments. It also doesn't sound forced, with the conflict being much better written than most conflicts for Hallmark. What surprised me was the comedy, it was a big surprise that there was any but it was even more of a surprise that the comedy was actually funny and at its best hilarious. As far as Hallmark films go, 'Five Star Christmas' is one of the funniest and in a way that always feels natural and not strained.

Also liked that the story was a lot less predictable or formulaic than most Hallmark Christmas films, especially the conflict which is not forced or easily telegraphed this time. There is a good deal going on, but it doesn't feel too much, almost all the subplots work and the chemistry (especially the central romance) is genuine all round. It is also very heart-warming and never comes over as too heavy, with plenty of light heart. Great to see characters that were interesting and worth caring for. Bethany Joy Lenz is terrific and the heart of the film, and she is just as much a joy in her chemistry with charming Victor Webster in one of his better performances. Loved the grandparents, so entertaining and endearing. Paula Shaw coming very close to stealing the show.

Overall, very well done and highly recommended. 8/10.

A man and his family put on a good face for an incognito critic who visits their B&B.

This Hallmark holiday romance has a strong cast, featuring Bethany Joy Lenz as Lucy Ralston, daughter of the owner of the Ralston Inn.

This film has elements of comedy combined with heartwarming moments. It also has a gentle tone and a slower pace.

The supporting cast totally made this movie! They were so fun and entertaining.

When adult children Bethany Joy Lenz, Grace Beedie, and Blair Penner return home for Christmas, they discover their father, Robert Wisden, has turned their childhood home into a bed and breakfast chateau. It's quite a shock, and no one's very happy about it, but when Robert explains he's been lonely as a widower for fifteen years, and especially now that the kids have moved out, they agree to support him. When a critic arrives for a Christmas stay, rather than admit the inn is completely inexperienced and free from guests, all the family (complete with Grandma Paula Shaw and Grandpa Jay Brazeau) pitch in and pretend to be paying customers or the hired staff.

The plot is very funny, but you've got to be prepared for some silly humor. This is one of the cutest "This would never happen" Hallmark scripts. In real life, if they acted that way, the critic would leave after ten minutes and write them a terrible review. But this is Hallmark, not real life, so it's hilarious to see them flounder around pretending they're not all related.

Where's the romance, you might ask? There's always a romance in the Hallmark Christmas movies, right? Right. The other 2020 premieres featured frustrating romantic pairings with clashing personalities, men with major problems, and women who kowtowed just to have someone to kiss under the mistletoe. I know it's only Hallmark, but I think it's important to teach impressionable people who watch these movies what a healthy relationship looks like.

In Five Star Christmas, Bethany Joy Lenz is paired with Victor Webster. Not only is there great chemistry between them, but their characters blend well. They get to know each other during late night talks, he spends time with her family, she respects his intelligence - and best of all, they don't put each other down when they flirt. I know it's considered cute repartee to show a couple bantering and putting each other down with confidence, but that doesn't teach the audience good behavioral patterns. In this Hallmark, you can really imagine these characters with a good future ahead of them.

It seems like I'm taking a silly comedy very seriously, doesn't it? Partly, I'm relieved to be able to praise a Hallmark this year, and partly, I'm very grateful to get back to the sweet relationships of yesteryear. When a man is willing to utterly humiliate himself to make you smile, you know you've got a keeper. From start to finish, Bethany and Victor steal the show. Check it out!

I found this Hallmark Christmas movie to have a fresh and fun theme. All Hallmark Christmas Love Stories are predictable and have the same outcome, but that's the exact reason that we tried and true fans watch them year after year. As always, Bethany Joy Lenz does not disappoint with her realistic acting. It would have been nice if we were allowed to hear more of her beautiful singing voice. The location and set was warm and beautiful. I thought the supporting cast was well fitted for the story. Chemistry between the leads was there, but would have been better if the story line had given them more time together for romance to build.