Christmas à la Mode

Once again we have the family business being squeezed by big business....but also a prodigal sister too. Big business is actually rather ethical throughout this rendition, but the sister is an over-the-top antagonist. Our leads fall into the ubiquitous slow-burn romance once again, but since this is Lifetime, not Hallmark, I was disappointed the romance elements were so hesitant and G-rated. The leads were featured in another series called Confessions. While a much grittier, darker drama, the same leads' romance was much more intense and palpable. However, for a fluff piece movie, their acting was still engaging and we get our somewhat surprise happy ending.

This was a good movie. Actually different storyline among the rest and I appreciated that. Ryan Cooper made the movie great, I must confess. His rugged good looks & pleasant demeanor were a force to he reckoned with. Katie Leclerc was ok in the movie, but they appeared to lack the "chemistry" one usually sees in these types of movies. I've seen better, I've seen worse, but I'd watch it again. The lady who played the "mean" sister, I didn't care for but she fit the storyline so there's that! 8 out of 10!

"Christmas a la Mode" is a Drama - Romance movie in which we watch a woman trying to save her family's farm in order to continue her father's legacy. During Christmas she has to find a lot of money and she has to find them very fast.

I have to admit that despite that I did not have any expectations from this movie, I was happily surprised by it. It was a nice Christmas movie to spend your time, it had a simple but beautiful plot with a nice meaning. The interpretations of both Ryan Cooper's who played as Charlie Blanchard and Katie Leclerc's who played as Emily White were very good and they both did a nice job. The direction which was made by John Stimpson was average but good enough for this kind of movie. Finally, I have to say that "Christmas a la Mode" is a nice, beautiful Christmas movie and I recommend everyone to watch it.

'Christmas a La Mode' had one of those premises that actually didn't excite me all that much. It sounded very thin on the ground and like one of those films where everything was going to be obvious from the get go all the way through to the end. It is one of those premises that has been done quite a few times before and done quite conventionally each time. Saw it anyway, being such a big fan of Christmas and because of seeing a number of Lifetime/Hallmark etc. Christmas films overtime.

My somewhat indifferent feelings on the premise has sadly not changed all that much since watching 'Christmas a La Mode', with its execution of it being pretty much what it sounded like reading the basic synopsis. It isn't a terrible film, there are moments and good things, but there is not much really that is great either and some things are downright badly executed. There are certainly far worse Christmas films around, also far better.

There are good things here in 'Christmas a La Mode'. The best thing about it for me was Ryan Cooper, who came over as charming and sympathetic and his character was easily the easiest to warm to. Katie Leclerc also fared well and gives it her all, she didn't overdo the role and it didn't sound like she was just reading the lines. Did like them together and it was clear that they cared for each other.

Visually, 'Christmas a La Mode' looks attractive with some lovely scenery complemented without any signs of drabness or garishness by the photography. There are a few sweet moments here and there.

However, do agree with those that found the music too constant and too loud and it was neither interesting or appealing music. It balances poorly with the dialogue, which is also nothing to write home about due to the overload of cheese and over-sentiment. Also agree with those that found the character of Dorothy insufferably irritating and her last minute character change far too unrealistically abrupt. Jennifer Ellis overacted the character in my view too.

Found the story paper thin, with a pretty uneventful first half, and dully paced on the whole. While also hastily and too patly wrapping things up at the end. Generally it lacked charm and heart, with too little to it, and pretty much everything was obvious well before they happened. Only the two leads are good when it comes to the acting, everybody else overacts or is forgettable with none of their characters being interesting. The direction is workmanlike at best.

Overall, lacklustre but with moments. 4/10

The movie was fine, but we had to put the captions on to understand the actors. Turn down the music!!!!!!