Christmas for Keeps

Christmas For Keeps (2021) -

I never really felt this connected to any of my teachers, although I'm friends with one now. Most of them were horrible, so it was a struggle to connect with the plot of this film. I'm pretty sure that none of my teachers would have wanted me to come back to school either.

Overall the film was a bit dull and even the cheer felt quite depressing. There was a lot going on, which meant that there wasn't enough time for what I considered to be the main romance between Ryan Rottman as Ben and Christa B. Allen playing Avery. Although I did like the fact that other characters were explored in a bit more depth, it needed another 15-20 minutes to deliver everyone's story equally as an ensemble piece. Mia's (Marielle Scott) story seemed almost completely lost amid the rest.

I think by restricting themselves to the standard one hour, twenty something minutes, they make things far too contrived. As a result this one lost the joy and heart that it should have had in remembering their favourite teacher and mentor through various activities that meant a lot to him, because it focussed too much on the hardships in their lives and the issues with their relationships, having too little time to show the pleasure they enjoyed.

I'd probably skip this one in future unless there was a director's cut that showed a bit more to it, but I doubt that exists.

4.5/10.

This movie tries so hard. So hard that it hurt to watch. Unfortunately characters like the mother (played by Janet Kidder) are so overbearing that they irritate and annoy. The constant push for the main characters to fall in love is annoying. The shining stars for their acting abilities sit with Marielle Eisner and Cardi Wong. They are honestly the only ones worth paying attention to.

I love Hallmark movies but this just average at best. I didn't really buy the life long connection between the 5 high school drama students, only one of whom actually tried to continue that experience as a career. The relationships all seemed forced (I found the chants of "Noah, Noah" and the peer pressure of him really irritating) and all 5 of the old classmates had multiple conflicts and issues that really couldn't be adequately explored and resolved in one TV movie that was supposedly about the passing of a beloved high school teacher.

Although the stay at home dad married to a doctor subplot was an interesting change of pace, I'm tired of the "I can make a career out of baking cookies in my home kitchen" trope. And Noah couldn't go sledding with his busy wife and their kids because he had to help Mia sell his cookies at a Toy Drive? Seriously? It's not like he was in the back of a bakery trying to churn out more cookies for an unexpectedly high demand. He was at a table selling pre-made cookies at a Toy Drive that Mia could have handled without any help. Go spend time with your wife who's apparently never around.

Christa Allen, who plays Avery, was recently in the news for turning 30 after once playing the 13 year old in 13 Going On 30. She does what she can with the role of a daughter of an overbearing mother (way over the top) and the love interest of a morose and unpleasant character named Ben (we get it, losing parents sucks; welcome to the club everyone joins and one that's featured in virtually every Hallmark movie). But, without spoiling anything, the solution of the geographical challenges facing their relationship was out of the blue and unrealistic, as was the manufactured tension between Ben and Noah.

And why did it seem that these were the only 5 former students of the beloved Mr. Massey (all from the same class) who cared enough to show up for him?

For me, the best Hallmark movies of 2021 were An Unexpected Christmas, A Dickens of a Christmas, My Christmas Family Tree, Next Stop Christmas and Every Time A Bell Rings.

I love 98 % of Hallmark and have watch at least twice and this one without a doubt is the worst one of all time.

The characters are all unbelievably irritating especially Avery's mother who has got to be the worst helicopter parent ever. Of course Avery with her fixed face.is impossible to believe is an adult. Who would let their mother constantly infringe on their life as Avery does? Move out Avery and take your father with you!

Doctor Sarah is so unbelievable and naïve. What doctor would work 2 extra shifts after being conned by her co-workers. Geeze what an idiot.

Mia, what be said about her. She blames the world for her failures and is arrogant while doing such.

I like Hallmark but this group is the most offensive group of millennials of all time.

I'm not going to say how corny and stilted the lines are but you eat popcorn while looking through the second floor window

Avoid.

Who "would of thunk it?" This was a very annoying and depressing movie. Why would anybody think this was a good idea! It really sucked so I dumped it.

Save yourself and stay away from dogs like this clunker. It seems as if Hallmark is just churning out the movies without their historic quality. This one is competing for the bottom of the barrel along with a bunch of other 2021 productions.

Want my advice? Sure you do so here it is: if the Christmas movie (or any movie) says it's a 2021 release, run for cover, or risk running for the toilet part way through watching it. Trust me on this, and don't believe any glowing (paid or self-serving) reviews. They stand out like a sore thumb.