Perfect Strangers

A thoroughly enjoyable watch. The principle characters are given a chance to develop and change before our eyes, as they deal with their heartbreak during the holiday. It is a slow build, yet moves along at a satisfying speed The joys and sadness of the Christmas season are shown, all leading to a concussion. Beautiful.

I was fond of this movie, mostly due to the exuberance of Natalie Clark's character and her unfailing optimism about the Christmas spirit. It really translated effectively and gave the film a buoyancy and life that I think would have been missing otherwise. There is something so annoying about her chirpy, uppity personality. It reminds me of girls in school who would thought that parroting false positivity 24/7 was a likeable and charming personality rather than what it actually is, which is painfully contrived. And then we find the opposite nature in Rob who is always dour and impossible to shake out of his depression. The balance between the overly optimistic and overly pessimistic character is a smart contrast and they play well off of each other, though I don't find their on-screen chemistry to be believable in a romantic sense.

Overall, this film is quirky and comforting and has just the right balance of humour, emotion, and Christmas zeal,

Besides some excellent acting and cinematography, the storyline and non intrusive soundtrack made this the best Christmas movie of the season for my spouse and I. I happened to catch the beginning on Christmas when heading to bed but was glad to stay up until the end. Generally, I tend to watch films once but this was an exception. I watched on Boxing Day with my spouse which was a treat. My wife being Scottish felt the cast played their parts well besides relating to the backdrop of the north of Scotland where we bide. The bittersweet aspect of the film made the production memorable and thought the pace was right for a movie filmed in the Highlands. "Local Hero" has nothing on this production and purchasing the film is well worth the cost of a DVD or a watch online.

This is delightfully filmed in snowy highland Scottish scenery and locations. The characterisation is great. The story is enjoyable. It is not entirely clear why it gets such poor reviews. Perhaps accents are a factor. Another reason that might be off-putting is that at times it is a bit over-schmalzy. However - ignoring the schmalz - I personally thought this was a great film. When compared to the highly standardized storylines behind many Hallmark movies etc this is far better scripted and acted. I suppose at the end of the day it comes down to personal taste. This was definitely to my taste and is unreservedly recommended.

Lost at Christmas is a small scale Scottish film. An antidote to the schmaltzy Hallmark films from the USA.

This bittersweet film is as cold as the Scottish weather in December. I know I have spent the Christmas period a few times up in Scotland over the years.

Bubbly Jen (Natalie Clark) has gone to a small highland town to see her long term boyfriend only to discover he is married.

Meanwhile Rob (Kenny Boyle) has proposed to his girlfriend and has been turned down. What hurt the most is being told, she doesn't love him.

Both Jen and Ron meet at the train station but heavy snow means that all trains are cancelled. Wanting to get back to Glasgow on Christmas Eve is no easy task.

Jen gets hold of a car but needs to stop at an inn because of the worsening weather. Only the residents of the inn are not in the festive mood.

This low budget film has a strong Doctor Who connection. Sylvester McCoy, Frazer Hines, Caitlin Blackwood all appear.

I found the movie tries too hard to be unsentimental and realistic. You end up not caring too much about the love story part when too many people are morose.

The character of Rob is hard to like although he thaws later on. I was more impressed with Natalie Clark as Jen.

Lost at Christmas needed a sprinkling of fairy dust to brighten it up.