Under the Christmas Tree

Under The Christmas Tree (2021) -

Lesbians!!!! And not just in bit parts as the best friend! They even used the actual word "Gay!". I've never come across that before in one of these films. Well done to the producers for finally delivering that.

The characters were all very typically lesbian too, they were so stubborn and they couldn't see any grey areas, which fit with what I know from the lesbians I've met in my life. They also had a strong desire to love and couple quickly, because they easily found the beauty in each other, which once again felt typical.

And I could easily see that they were attracted to each other right from the start! They were proper flirty and highly sexed like they were on heat almost, but not in a "Get a room" way, at least mostly.

I actually really liked how the romance blossomed, because it was as a normal one would and not some forced story or silly situation where someone else is trying to pull the strings of it or enemies to friends to lovers.

The story had similarities to 'The National Tree' (2009) and 'Miss Christmas' (2017) with hints of 'You, Me & The Christmas Trees' (2021) too. Tattiawna Jones, playing Charlie, needed a tree for the governor and she wouldn't let the crush she had on the tree's owner get in the way. And Elise Bauman, as Alma wasn't going to give up her tree that easily, despite her immediate attraction to Charlie.

We all knew what would happen, but the journey and the delivery was sweet.

As a raving homosexual, I would like them to deliver something similar with two men, instead of the silly comedies that they always tend to make, with overly outrageous characters that are used for laughs, but this was a nice one that I'm sure that the girls would enjoy too.

6.5/10.

Growing up, the only queer-themed 'Christmas' movie I ever knew was "Rent"; and I think that speaks volumes. It's refreshing to see all these LGBTQ holiday films rolling in as the years roll by...but it's even more refreshing to see "Under the Christmas Tree" in the list, a queer holiday romcom minus the family drama, the toxicity, the mean-spirited humor, the obligatory Grinch and - ahem "accidental" outings.

"Under the Christmas Tree" is a delight to watch; I loved its simplicity, its wholesomeness, the cheeriness and the fact that it probably produced more sap than all of the trees combined (that's how you guys, make a holiday romcom). It's a film I'm definitely going recommend families to watch over Christmas breakfast and revisit again, and again.

Also, can anyone show me the directions to Camden?

Alma's (Elise) bangs were quite distracting lmaooo i felt like they had a life of their own.

Movie was fine and very sweet. Surprised to see lesbians on a Lifetime TV prod.

I'm giving Under the Christmas Tree a positive review. With all its faults, its still a step in the right direction in the largely ignored world of gay, or in this case lesbian romance films for the general public.

The story: Charlie is a "tree whisperer" scouting for the perfect tree for the state's holiday display. Alma is a local businesswoman running a struggling Christmas shop with her parents, who are about to retire.

Charlie finds a tree on Alma's property that would be perfect, but it has been cherished by the family and is in fact the logo for the shop.

While Alma says no, at the same time sparks fly between Charlie and her. From there, the story follows Charlie's attempt to change Alma's mind and the gentle flirtation between them.

The flaw here is there is very little romance in this rom-com. I know there were constraints. This is a TV movie after all, but there weren't even many longing looks between the two, making it a bit sterile. Apparently, this was the director's first film. Perhaps a more experienced hand might have been able to get something on screen not on the printed page.

Still, I'm giving this a great grade. I've watched it several times and enjoyed it. The ending definitely leaves open the possibility of a sequel. That would be a very good thing.

What a waste of time. No chemistry at all, no good script, no interesting characters, weak history. Such a cliche. You'll not miss anything if you do not see it.