Swept Up by Christmas

Sentiment is what Hallmark is all about, so it's no surprise when they make a sentimental movie. This film about an estate seller and a man who runs a veteran-staffed housecleaning service is just that. Lindy Booth is always one of my favorites, so I was glad to see she made a Christmas movie this year. I did not find the chemistry between the leads to be strong, but it didn't effect things much. Good supporting cast, especially the crotchety Alan, who I thought was great. I would rate this slightly above average.

This is a holiday romance between Gwen, a high end auction organizer who is hoping to leverage her next job into buying the business so she can be in control of her future, and Reed who is the former Air Force military small business owner (Dirt Force One) who helps her clean and decorate the large estate she is auctioning off. Reed is looking to expand his business and potentially moved to California.

"How lucky we're they to find something so rare?"-Gwen's best friend Vanessa

Initially Gwen and Reed clash over rigid time schedules, etc but they soon work into a cooperative friendship in which they both share their past and hopes and dreams. Reed has lost both his parents and claims to be sentimental, Gwen is attached to family and friends but says she has no sentimentality which is how she can auction things off.

"Wherever you go the light that Carol loved so much should surround you."-Gwen

There is another romance involving a disabled vet who seems to be getting along well with Vanessa.

The main actors are great and seem to have chemistry, but this was just a middle of the road romance for me.

I love it for the performance of Vlasta Vrana .

I like it for chemistry between main actors and for the small stories defining them. And, sure, for the Christmas tree star.

I saw this film with the tenderness of return to the memories of old times. This is its basic virtue and just I appreciate it for this. Because, it is one of films in which the romance works as fair frame , in which the connection between people and objects is fair reflected and the details are just clever used.

And the final feeling is good of good.

Not great, not memorable but, obvious, more than pleasant. And this, for me, I admitt, just matters.

I love Hallmark Christmas movies, but I find they fall into several categories. Some have relatively large casts with plenty of extras to provide atmosphere, while others are sparsely populated, with sparingly used music and extras. Usually, it has to do with the popularity of the main stars. While Lindy Booth has certainly been in her share of Hallmark films, this one sure was lacking in supporting cast members. A lot of time it was simply the two leads working by themselves in the house. Even at the party scene, the extras were all blurred, as there probably were very few. Unfortunately, this seemed to be a movie made on an extremely limited budget, even for Hallmark, and it didn't give off much warmth or holiday feel. I will skip future showings of this film.

Lindy Booth is a charming and talented actress, and she deserves much better than this. A very talky script that is really not that interesting. There is very little chemistry between Booth and her co-star, Justin Bruening. Maybe because the dialogue is pretty weak and there is very little they can do with it. There is just not that much Christmas spirit here or even just a good plot to keep your attention. Sometimes, you are like, who cares ? Another reviewer mentioned Booth's physical appearance, and we couldn't agree more. At times, she looks anemic. Maybe it is the fault of the director or the make-up and costume people, but this normally lovely actress just does not look healthy. Hopefully, 2021 will bring back the Lindy Booth that we all enjoy and appreciate. Someone give her a good script with a better character to play - she can handle it. Sweep this one under the rug this Christmas.