Making Spirits Bright

I almost didn't watch this based on the negative reviews but it was pleasant enough to watch. I liked the seemingly easy compatibility of the leads and the other family members seems genuine, The tech lighting guy was annoying as he was meant to be - I'm glad I don't have lights like that in my neighborhood. I don't really pay any attention to the snow situation that seems to bother others. I would agree that the subplot with the business partner seemed unnecessary.

This is a pretty common take on the Christmas decoration feuding families. The one slightly fresh angle is celebrating the traditional approach over the noisy techy approach. The techy contest entry in this movie would definitely get annoying after a while, maybe after as little as two times through. The broad strokes of the story are definitely predictable and as is common for Hallmark, they wrapped up too many threads in HEA bows.

When the story is mostly same old stuff, I enjoy these movies when the leads' relationship has a chance to shine. In this movie, Grace and Tony got shorted on screen time. Maybe it was too many threads. Maybe it was too much contest.

I'm also not a fan of the arrogance and trash talking which in this movie almost reached the point of physical violence. The whole feuding angle was more than I would like to see, especially if, as I said, the relationship was shorted as a result.

There is a nice theme of reconciliation in more than one thread.

I enjoyed watching this movie, a real romantic comedy. Also, I really like Carlo Marks even if he's seldom paired with a leadind actress with whom he has no chemistry.

It's a nice entertaining movie.

This was a very sweet story with a lot of charm. Even though this was pretty low-key, it kept my interest throughout. Taylor Cole and Carlo Marks were excellent together. I've not always liked Taylor Cole, but she really came through as a small town family oriented girl, which is not a part one would usually associate with her. I don't think I've seen a Christmas movie based on the business of decorating houses before. So although the Romeo and Juliet outline was pretty standard stuff, the background it is set against is unusual.

Grace and Tony are the offspring of two fathers who have been feuding for years. They were once close friends and partners in a Christmas decorating business but their differing work styles drove them apart. Tony's father is a perfectionist which has caused him to miss deadlines and not get the job done. He puts art above money. Grace's father is into efficiency and making a profit. They both enter the town's Christmas decorating contest as competitors. However in an effort to defeat a mutual enemy who emphasizes technology over heart and tradition, they end up trying to work together.

There are some genuinely touching moments in this and romance is sweet, thanks to the chemistry between the two leads. The Romeo and Juliet romance is appealing as they go from uncertainty to friendship and then love. I loved the relationship of the two mothers, who have remained secret friends throughout their husbands' feud. Also adding an interesting dynamic was the fraught relationship between Grace and her partner in their home-staging business.

I've watched Christmas light competitions every Christmas and I have noticed more and more are automated with club lights and music than Christmas time, so I liked the concept of the movie fighting for traditional lights and set ups over commercialized ones. The b story with the business partner was distracting. Maybe because I watched it in the background, but I found the scenes awkward and didn't fit with the story. I hated the "friend" and they didn't make her likeable or redeemable. I liked the chemistry between the leads and the families but that b story really got to me and lowered my rating of the movie.