The Christmas Contest

4/10 - while Candace Cameron Bure is a Hallmark mainstay, she is simply going to have to get better scripts and stories if she expects us to stick around after the uninspired and frankly boring Christmas movies she has put out the last couple years (this one very much included)

I was looking forward to this movie because Candace is one of my favorite actresses and I like Barbara Niven.

The storyline was boring and the comedy ended up being stupid rather than funny.

Hallmark is so NOT hitting the mark on Christmas movies this year. Thank goodness for Lifetime and GAC.

Who doesn't love Candace Cameron Bure in almost anything? Two (just about past their freshness date) ex-lovers and friends reconnect during a baking and dance contest and the catty foreplay is obvious to the audience they were meant to be together. Ben (John Brotherton) is a successful sports jock and Lara (Candace Cameron Bure) is living her dream as a successful CEO. Both being very competitive, they relish the opportunity to once again compete against one another.

This is not one of those thought provoking Christmas themed films where the piano and a tandem of melancholy horns lead the audience to a big reveal that brings tears to your eyes. Rather, this is a romantic Christmas themed film where the leading man Ben, mentors an introverted 12 year old boy named Jayce (Matteus Lunot) break through and adjust to making new friends. Lara on the other hand stops listening to her mother who is always trying to motivate Lara to be better at everything, to where Lara just wants to enjoy a fun little contest and find true love.

Mrs. Shullivan and I enjoyed this simple story line and romantic themed film, especially since Candace Cameron Bure starred in it.

I give the film a 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.

Candace Cameron Bure is a mainstay of the Hallmark holiday romances for good reason. She is very affable and conveys a positive energy. But sometimes it is difficult to rise above the material.

We have seen other films that included contests strung out over several days. Usually there is no reason for the format except to draw out the action over time, allowing for other action to occur between the competition segments. Unfortunately, this usually serves to slow the story, providing a drag on the action. In "the Christmas Contest", the competition occurs over a full week; this might be the reason why the film drags.

The lack of energy undermines the story, making this one of the lesser films of this holiday season.

If you love these movies, you'll love it. If you're wanting earth shatteringly new content, try something else.

Was cute. Not too cute. If you know what i mean. Thoughtful and decently done. I'd rewatch it.