Cameron Mathison is always worth watching and is a likeable and charming actor in a subtle way, though he can be well above what he is given. Also like Elizabeth Mitchell, she was great in 'Lost' and was absolutely wonderful in the 'Law and Order: Special Victim Unit' episode "Totem". Also liked the concept. Did worry that 'The Christmas Club' would be too formulaic, as a vast majority of them are very more of the same. Also Hallmark's 2019 output has been very up and down, mostly in the in between and down categories.
'The Christmas Club' is one of the bigger hits of Hallmark's 2019 output. A Christmas classic it may not be, but by 2019 Hallmark standards and compared to a lot of Christmas films (Hallmark, Lifetime and elsewhere) it's refreshing. It is also a great representation of both Mathison and Mitchell, more so the former. If anybody was generally underwhelmed by 2019's Hallmark output and has not yet seen this, it will be a relief for them to see a film from this group that is good.
Did feel that the final third was on the contrived side and lost the spark and lustre that the rest of the film had. Most Hallmark films end predictably and patly and 'The Christmas Club' is no exception.
However, there is a lot that is great. The production values still manage to be pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. The music is pleasantly nostalgic and is not over-used or constant, the latter of which is the case with a lot of Hallmark Christmas films. The direction is accommodating without going too far in that it becomes pedestrian instead.
Furthermore, the script quality is better than most 2019 Hallmark Christmas films, where a vast majority were either all the way through cheesy and stilted or a case of starting off very ropey and then got better. The script here is playful and heart-warming and the flow isn't awkward. The story is light-hearted and really warms the heart without going into over-saccharine territory.
Characters were easy to get behind and carry the film well, one of the few 2019 Hallmark Christmas films where both lead characters were worth caring for. The support acting is solid, nobody exceptional but there isn't a weak link. The kids are not on the wrong side of cutesy and aren't annoying. Mathison is his usual charming and amiable self and while she is for my tastes a little neurotic at times in the final act Mitchell gives a deeply felt performance. They look lovely together and their chemistry is both playful and sweet.
In summary, very much worth watching. 8/10.
