Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

7.4 stars.

This is one that I didn't hate even with the low ratings. I guess I will have to watch every Hallmark and Family movie in existence, because I've found myself getting lost in the world of real estate and mistletoe of all things, with a rating under 6 stars and so it's hit and miss, but rolling the dice don't seem to work, because this movie ain't bad. I mean this is as corny a plot as it gets I suppose, but isn't it all just fluff these days anyways? The story focuses a bit too much on the sale of a house. Who will buy it, why, and how? Its just weird and way overblown for a simple house sale. It's about two real estate agents who compete for the most sales and rentals and they eventually realize they are attracted to each other. The man goes from arrogant jerk to instant nice guy in the midst of one scene, it's funny, but also endearing, but still funny as I watch his whole demeanor change from bad guy harasser to nice guy attractive. I have never seen him in a movie prior. And the lead female, I've not watched anything she's in, but I like her style, she has a down to earthness that is relaxing and contagious. So they are starting to like each other as more than coworkers, but then there's a few hitches, and then they bounce back. She has a niece staying with her and the niece has a neat little side story too. Oddly, this cast of characters have a synergy that makes for above average entertainment. It's not a film I could round up to 8, however.

Hopefully NO realtor would be so underhanded as to butt in with another agent speaking with clients. His constant referral to "Agent of the year" was nauseous.

His constant reminders that he has "sold houses" whereas the lady had sold "condos" was petty and childish. Is anyone that insecure?

If your network wants to compete with Hallmark you need better writers.

I'm doing my best here to give a short accurate review to this pitiful movie but everything I hit "submit" an error message pops up telling me that my review is too short.

How many words does it take to request better writers and a better plot?

We bagged this one after the male real estate agent inserted himself into a meeting between a couple and a female real estate agent. That was after I already had serious doubts because all the women in every scene were so perky and smiley I developed a concern they'd crack our TV screen.

Back to the real estate side. I've had real estate agents as clients, friends, and agents for more than 30 years. I've never seen ANY indication that one agent would break into another agent's meeting to poach a client. First of all, I don't think there's a broker in the business who would tolerate it. Complete turn off, and so we turned this mess off.

In the beginning, I hated Jeff with a passion. He was everything I hate which is one thing, but the Jeff of the first 20 minutes was the antitype of a romantic lead. Guess what? His personality magically softened, as well as his attitude toward Eva. Instantly, which is typical in these movies. I had problems with Eva too, even though she was a little more generous and upbeat. But her arrogance and competitiveness almost matched Jeff's.

What was worse, was the actors. Sarah Fisher often looked like she had severe gastric discomfort. Her delivery was poor. Simon Arblaster wasn't much better less the uncomfortable demeanor. The two have no chemistry. They each look so uncertain when being nice or saying something nice to the other. Most of these movies have friends commenting on how the couple must be in love because of the "way you look at each other". There are none of those looks here.

Many of the supporting actors were also bad. One exception was Jerni Stewart as Bonnie. She is meant to be appealing from the start plus being the mediator. Only trouble is that she looks and acts like an adult or at least college age. The actor is 22.

The dialogue was a little flat. The movie lacks the spark that makes it fun.

The story is slightly unusual with two competing realtors working together to sell one house. But the point is to throw Jeff and Eva together so they can develop a relationship. Selling the house becomes their Christmas project together. There isn't much of a story except for Eva's dream of being a novelist which she has put aside while she sells houses.

I gave it a try, I really did. But after 45 minutes I hit delete on my PVR.

I'm quite sure actual real estate agents wouldn't act like these two did, trying to one-up each other to get a real estate listing. If they did, they wouldn't be selling my home. But as the story goes, they learn to work together and begin to like each other. Not exactly a new plot twist.

I'm not sure why Great American Family movies always have to have music playing in the background. Instead of adding to the movie, I find it annoying and distracting.

Pass on this one because there are much better Christmas movies out there.