Christmas Beneath the Stars

Not sure if it was bad writing, or bad acting, or just bad. But got 3 stars for being something that kids could watch without needing to change the channel.

Supposedly set in Alaska, around Christmas. Where's the cold? Snow? Darkness? And what's with the green leaves on maple trees? It's all just too much to take. The 'B' list Canadian cast tries, but the direction and script make that an uphill battle. This film is filler for holiday cable schedules.

Every ounce of joy and energy is sapped from this deeply substandard TV movie. It's fifteen minutes of script hyperextended into a feature-length TV movie, each scene a molasses trickle. It feels like a Hallmark movie that was left out in the sun to bleach and dry up. The actors take deep breaths between each line of dialog and repeat plot points (scant as they are) over and over. The two leads are obviously under heavy sedation. The main character's aunt reads every line as catty. Even the actors' hairstyles (or wigs?) are strange. The acclaimed local cafe serves what appear to be Hungry Man turkey frozen dinners with a side of cocoa. The father and son at the heart of the story seem to be estranged at the start of the film for reasons never explained and evidently instantly resolved. WHAT EVEN IS THIS.

Something must be wrong with me as I actually enjoyed this movie. I guess it's because it doesn't follow the typical holiday movie scenario of beautifully decorated homes, baking cookies, Christmas tree lighting in the town square etc., etc. I'm so bored with all of that. I liked these characters and that's where a lot if my enjoyment comes from.

The story is very much like Christmas Land all the way through. I think there's another also but can't think of it.

The climatic double secret is clumsy on both ends.

The acting is barely fair. There might have been a little chemistry between the leads.

Even though the place was supposed to be a little run down, the sets and props were obviously budget. For instance, the town Christmas tree was pretty small.