A Cheerful Christmas

Firstly, I can't help but wonder where this story was supposed to be set. (Obviously, it was filmed in Canada.) The Andersons moved from England, and Lauren's dad lives far away in Boston, but what does that mean about the location of the home? (and the frozen canal?) Secondly, Lauren was just too annoying to be likable. Seriously, many Hallmark main characters are pretty enthusiastic about Christmas, but this is different. Knowing even what she already knew about James/the Andersons, did she really have to ask about their preference for white or colored lights? Also, how did someone hire a "Christmas Coach" without making it clear that all they wanted was a decorator? And why does it take Lauren so long to get the hint? At times, she seemed like a broken record, had no common sense or emotional intelligence. This was not one of Hallmark's best.

This movie had so much potential to be better, the female lead Erica Deutschland was absolutely horrible. Everything was exaggerated. It was pain staking to watch. Chad Connell did a great job. Plot was typical but just like all Hallmark movies you love to see when they realize there was a breakdown in communication. Although, for this one I'd rather he left her be. Hallmark got the female lead wrong on this one.

Worst Hallmark movie I have ever seen! Chad Connell was stiff and unbelievable. Erica Deutschman was worse! They never really connected and her character was beyond annoying. Can't understand why she wasn't fired on the first day of the job! Real World 101: acquisitions companies do not take kindly to terminally perky blonds wandering in and out of offices. She would have been fired when she 'decorated' an office after being told specifically that it was off-limits.

I am starting to wish Hallmark would not come to Ontario to film any Christmas movies. They just keep getting worse. Why is that? You save your absolute, most stupid stories for filming here? I would blame the cold temps for freezing the directors, actors and producers brains - but this is just crap writing and directing from the get go. Who approves these productions? I feel sorry for the actors, truly. It would be more enjoyable to just watch the winter scenery than to have to suffer through this horrid excuse of a movie. Enjoy the long view of the Rideau Canal, nothing else here worth watching.

I wouldn't even give this 1 star, I love all of the hallmark movies but this one was painful to watch !!