It is an understatement to say that Hallmark has the Christmas-themed movie genre saturated with their offerings. I have tried to watch a couple dozen such Hallmarks and have stumbled onto a few where the lead chemistry actually seems plausible and the cringe in the script/storyline is not overwhelming. However, as is evidenced by some reviews already posted, a lot of viewers want their Christmas movies to be all sugar and no spice, devoid of true drama and certainly not any actual sexual innuendo. However, for anyone pre-Medicare, the physical elements of romance are usually the drivers. Life, even in romance, is not a constant bowl of cherries. Hallmark writers like to manufacture a trite, last minute conflict to insert 3 minutes of drama, but it is usually more stupid than dramatic. In general, Hallmark is a children's book with adult casting.
I am glad Lifetime Christmas offerings don't feel similar obligations. In this movie, the storyline for the leads is mostly conflict from the get-go and the plot is fundamentally their journey to unravel their conflict. The male lead does appear shirtless twice, there is some open lip kissing and the suggestion of sex occurring under the typical movie mountain of bed coverings. The male lead is model material, the female lead not so much. However, what I assume is her attempt at stoicism in light of an earlier romantic rejection comes across as almost deadpan acting for all but the last 10 minutes. It was not the best female casting to my sensibilities. It was a poignant story though. Christmas was in the background, but did not drive the story. The uplift is there at the end. I was much more engaged in this type of "Christmas' movie from Lifetime, rather than most Hallmark offerings.
