Christmas by Design

Rebecca Dalton has been in some real rom/com bombs, but she has had a few good ones. This is a good one. One problem I have seen in the past is flat acting. She seemed totally natural in this one. She also had great chemistry with Jonathan Keltz. Their banter was great. I really enjoyed the development of their relationship.

Another theme throughout the movie is family alienation. She has some chip on her shoulder with her step dad which gets illuminated later. In fact she has friction with her entire family. There are highs and lows there.

There isn't much in the story that sets this movie apart.

8.1 stars.

Same old formula with fairly new players. This is simply a repeat of a half-dozen other Hallmark films, the only difference is the pajamas. Any guy would love the overalls pajama design as long as they are comfortable. Stamp a brand name on 'em and you have a winner.

Charlotte owns a boutique clothing store in New York City, she is career driven, hasn't really come home since her father died several years ago. Yes, I know, I know, this trope has been beaten to death.

She goes home for Christmas because her shop and also, coincidentally, her apartment must close down for repairs. She has no choice, so she drives home, accidentally gets into a fender bender with a mechanic named Spencer, a real heartbreaker, all the women in town swoon over him. Maybe he's not interested in anyone for now, because he lost his wife a few years ago, but Charlotte could be a contender...let the romance spring forth.

As with any movie that gets a rating 8.0 or higher, I need not elaborate any further. It's entertaining, the romance is fresh, the family is likable, there is even some drama. Charlotte sabotages her life on multiple occasions. She needs an attitude adjustment and Spencer is the only person that can help her.

On the annual watchlist? Affirmative.

Movie story was actually worth 10 stars BUT the lead male actor Jonathan Keltz was TERRIBLE and we rated him (F). He was a total MISMATCH as a lead male. Make sure you don't use him in 2024. Your Producers and Directors have to do better evaluations of male actors. I had to comment on a web site for Hallmark and Hallmark Mystery channels and we listed a few more that need to be removed in 2024. Joey Heyworth rated (F)-- Torrance Coombs rated (F)--Brendah Fehr- rated (F)-Sam Page rated (D)--Jilan Vanover rated (F)--Chad Murray- rated (C)-Jesse Metcalfe- rated (D)--- Dillion Casey rated (C)--Neal Bledsue rated (C)---

I first want to say Hallmark always asks for spoilers but all the plots and twists are the same Having said this I liked the movies and the cast is excellent. The two leads are fantastic together and rise above the story. The supporting cast were also very good and brought Christmas warmth and tradition to the movie. I wish Hallmark would be more inventive and retire the same old themes.

They really wasted the two leads. I look forward to seeing them in future romcoms. Why can't Hallmark come up with better themes and plots. People like myself are dictated but getting g tired of the same old stories. Wake up Hallmark before it's too late.

It's always nice to see Rebecca Dalton as the lead. She's more than capable, always delivers and doesn't over- or under-act, as a few of Hallmark's leading ladies sometimes do.

The sneak-peek commercials of this movie didn't show me much in terms of an original plot line, but the writers did a good job, and Dalton and Jonathan Keltz were engaging leads who had pretty good chemistry. A few of the small details of the storyline weren't tied up as cleanly as I would've liked (it would've been nice to see Charlotte's dad's truck restored, which is not a spoiler in any way), but overall I bought the storyline and found myself totally rooting for Charlotte.

The actors portraying Charlotte's family members were believable. Her cute kid nephew was refreshingly rambunctious and acted like how kids do in real life, which was a nice departure from the usual total obedience seen in kids in these movies.

I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this movie and I would recommend watching it.