Christmas Love Letter

'Christmas Love Letter' is another one of those Lifetime Christmas films to have a rather cheesy and uninspired title, but also have a story that potentially could be quite charming and sweet. There never has been any bias against Lifetime's output, much of it is formulaic sure and some of it has just as much corny and schmaltz of that of Hallmark's but with the right leads and the right amount of charm and heart they can have some likeability. Provided that not too much is expected from it.

Didn't expect a massive amount from 'Christmas Love Letter' and overall got a film that isn't that bad in the way that has been said by some. But it is to me still isn't a good film, if people think otherwise fair enough and good for them, and do actually agree with the criticisms that have been cited. Not one of the worst of Lifetime's Christmas output of 2019 or overall. Also not one of the best on both counts, somewhere around low middle if anything.

The film is not a complete waste of time. It is lifted from what could have been near-unwatchable to semi-watchable by the engaging lead performances of Ashley Newbrough and Tilky Jones. Jones' character Ian is a lot more likeable from the start, as Amelie took a bit of time to warm to but she began more likeable as she softened. They did seem natural together, although the flawed way the relationship was written stopped them from completely igniting.

It is a pleasant looking film, especially the scenery. The music is pleasant enough, and is not as constant or intrusive as with other Lifetime efforts, and the robot dog is a lot of fun.

However, 'Christmas Love Letter' could have been a lot better. Newbrough and Jones' chemistry, despite having moments, never completely gelled and it is all down to how their relationship was written. Another case of it moving too quickly, not having anywhere enough development due to being introduced too late and underuse. Do agree that Izzy Herbert is far from endearing and over-compensates, really did find her irritating. The rest of the cast are okay but nobody else stands out and the character writing is sketchy and Lifetime cliches.

Something that can sum up 'Christmas Love Letter' quite well, cliched. Some familiar (well actually well worn out) story tropes here, all predictably executed. The first portions are slow and quite thinly plotted, uneventful at times, and some decision making (i.e. packing up her job just like that) seemed contrived. The script lays it on too thick with the corn and slushy schmaltz, not unexpected but it was overkill in places. The film doesn't get off to a particularly good start, very cheesy and quite dull, while the ending is rushed and too tidy.

Altogether, lacklustre but one can do with a lot worse. 4/10

This movie has a cute premise but plays like it was written by someone who does entirely too much online shopping....I mean dating.....NEXT!

The female lead goes straight from a failed, but much wanted, marriage proposal to hunting the person who sent an unsigned love letter the very next day with not so much as a misty eye. With that kind of romantic conviction, what could go wrong?...Right?

The male lead's character has a brilliant young daughter, a very lifelike (because it is in fact alive) robotic dog, absolutely no spine, and little to no self respect as the female lead. When they inevitably get to get together, rather than the feel-good ending you're looking for, you wind up with a.....meh

The acting is good but the story is flawed. Even so, I think it's still worth watching but don't get too excited

Are there two movies with this title? I have to wonder as if I had taken notice of the earlier reviews I wouldn't have watched this movie and that would have been a shame. Ok it's the usual formula, we know that before we start and yes the children can be a little over the top BUT all in all this is a bright, happy movie with a lot of laughs along the way. I thought all the actors did a great job. I have watched worse this season and a couple I didn't get past the first 15 minutes. This one was no effort at all. I'm sure others will enjoy as I did.

For me, the good parts of film are far by acting or story itself. The last is almost silly and the performances are victims of sabotage of a relation of friendship to the last moment and so unrealistic situations than part of them are almost weird.

But the unsigned letter, the dialogues with pretenders of Amalie, the robotic dog and, especially, the army of hot chocolate mugs ( easy as advertising of diabete ) are just the real good things of film.

The worst, maybe, the genius girl ( but , as Teacher, can I admire the realism of character ).

Short, a nice film, with gentle touch of 1940 - 1950 romantic films.

Amelie breaks up with her boyfriend after he "kind of" proposes to her. She also receives a letter, unsigned, from someone from her hometown, so she decides to pack up a few things and go home to find out who sent it and to write an article for her "Love note" column.

I had a few problems with this: 1) I get it, the boyfriend was not a good one to her: she gave him to much and he gave her nothing. She did good in dumping his pathetic face. And I understand she was eager to find out who sent that letter, I would be too, but the fact that she was willing to move on so fast from the guy she "wanted" to spend her life with...

2) Amelie and Ian did not have enough scenes. They were best friends before and I love that trope "best friend to lover". He had feelings before and that's great but I would have liked to have more of him showing her how he felt and her developin an attraction for him, like any other movie out there. The chemistry between the characters, from my POV was not good, again, I wish I had seen more scenes between the leads.

3) She just stood up from her desk, totally ignored her boss and decided to do her work from her hometown. That does not happen in the real world.

4) The "robot-dog" was kind of funny. The child was not good, she kind of reminded me to the girl from "Charlie and the chocolate factory" and I did not mean that as a compliment.

Ok, now to the things I liked: I was REALLY upset about Amelie "changing" her personality for the sake of love, until I figured it out it was part of the plot. And I'm glad it was Ian who pointed out to her. Secondly, Amelie asking her ex if he had a "parner or girlfriend". Nice one, Lifetime.

I had more negative things to say than positive, but I actually enjoyed it. The plot was a very good idea, but that it was not well executed while being written.