Always and Forever Christmas

Preface to say I've seen a load of Hallmark movies and when I critique I take at face value and lower standards for depth of character and plot complexity. Its supposed to be easy light watching. It's cookie cutter plot and characters. Over the years Ive seen some, however that were deep and everyone was connected, had chemistry, and some actors just naturally bring more to the table. The acting in this was a giant train wreck. If there was a word meaning flatter than flat I would use it. This felt like some people in beginners high school drama class reading off a script for the first time. I couldnt watch more than cursory 10 minutes in between something else.

Just to say now, in my view not all Lifetime's Christmas offerings are bad. Actually was pleasantly surprised by some, which has been true of my film viewings of Hallmark/Lifetime etc Christmas films in general over-time. Actually really liked the concept here for 'Always and Forever Christmas', it sounded so sweet and poignant, but whether it was going to work was all going to be dependent on the likeability of the characters and two leads, their interaction and how the story would be executed.

2019 was a very mixed to fairly unimpressive year overall for Lifetime. 'Always and Forever Christmas' for me was among the worst. Didn't think it was that terrible, always look for good things in every less than mediocre film watched and 'Always and Forever Christmas' did have them. It is also not a very good film at all sadly, at best quite weak with its worst aspects being terrible. Even with knowing what to expect, 'Always and Forever Christmas' didn't work.

'Always and Forever Christmas' has its good things. The best thing about it is Beth Broderick, she attacks her part with spirit and charm and brings class to the film. Mark Ghanime was also solid, he seemed very genuine and easy going.

It is lovingly shot and has suitably picturesque scenery, the decorations are beautiful. There are some pleasant moments in the soundtrack, emphasis though on some.

On the other hand, it is agreed that Lexi Lawson is truly amateurish, saying her lines with no feelings and she just looks zombie-like throughout. The rest of the cast also don't stand out. Few of the characters are well developed or likeable (Ghanime and Broderick being the sole exceptions) and Lawson and Ghanime have no chemistry between them, they wouldn't even convince as friends yet alone lovers.

The pedestrian direction doesn't help them. Neither does the cliched character writing, that gives the characters like one or two character traits and not much else, or the soggy and corny script that really overdoes the sentiment to saccharine degrees. The story sounded so charming on paper, but ended up being dull, over-sentimental and running out of ideas-like. The ending can be seen from a mile away and left me cold rather than moved. The music tends to be too constant and too loud.

In conclusion, quite lacking in most areas. 3/10.

This movie was just blah. No chemistry at all. The only bright spot was "Carol". I have always enjoyed her. If this movie had been played by a completely different cast it could have been a hit. But it seemed like this was everyone's very first acting job and it was if they were just reading a script out loud. Love the story but the actors ruined it. Come on Lifetime... You can do better then that... I've seen it.

I'll start with my positives: I loved the storyline of this movie. I loved the "magic" aspect and the helper, Carol, was great. The sets and scenery were great, too. Most of the acting was good. However (here comes the not-so-good), I haven't ever seen the lead, Lexi, before. She kind of fell flat for me. I agree with one of the other reviews about her coat. lol I didn't realize she was pregnant so that makes sense now. It just seemed a little meh for me. I think in these movies the actors play off of each other and their chemistry can make a movie and the lack of chemistry can break it and I just didn't feel there was any chemistry at all.

Love Mark always, especially in these Lifetime movies, ten stars. Beth is an added bonus. As others pointed out, the main actress can't act and honestly her character is the worse, not likable at all. It makes new movie unwatchable.