Christmas Tree Lane

Alicia Witt's Christmas Hallmark efforts are variable, as are her performances in them. While the likes of 'A Very Merry Mix Up' and 'Christmas List' were worthwhile watches despite flaws, she was in mediocre misfires such as 'The Mistletoe Inn' and 'Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane' as well. Actually do not think she's too bad an actress despite not being a big fan, but whether she is good in her films is dependent on the role and that's the aspect where the Hallmark films she stars in vary.

Was a bit mixed to not wowed by her here in 2020's 'Christmas Tree Lane'. As far as her Christmas Hallmark films go, 'Christmas Tree Lane' is neither one of the best or worst. Somewhere in between. 2020 was a mixed year for Hallmark, and as far as the Christmas batch for that year goes, this is neither one of the best or worst. It is a watchable film and does nothing to offend, but there is not much that is remarkable about it and overall it left me a bit mixed.

'Christmas Tree Lane' looks good, the photography complementing the pleasant scenery very well. The music is some of the best of any Hallmark film in a while, it's catchy and lovely to listen to and Witt has a beautiful set of pipes.

Despite finding his character underwritten, Andrew W. Walker does a nice job and is subtle and charming. The supporting cast are very solid and it is a case of the supporting cast being better than the leads. Some heart-warming and light-hearted moments here and there.

Other than her singing Witt didn't do much for me here. The character comes over as too over-zealous and Witt has times where she overdoes it and others where she is bland. While Walker acts well, he also has very little to do and his character is little more than an under-developed plot device. His chemistry with her didn't really gel either, the romance felt both under-developed and underused with not an awful lot of growth and was then hurriedly written and together the two seemed under-rehearsed.

The dialogue early on really isn't good and is quite stilted. The story didn't grab me enough and was very formulaic, with an easily telegraphed, rushed and too neat ending, dull in pace at times from the story being too thin and at points silly. The direction was merely standard and the characters aren't that interesting.

In conclusion, watchable but very unremarkable. 5/10.

I usually really enjoy watching Andrew Walker's Hallmark films; he is a good actor in such roles. He did a decent job in this movie too. But there was no chemistry between him and Alicia Witt, at least, I did not see it. I felt Alicia's performance was rather weak, though, to be honest, I am not a huge fan of her Hallmark films. The supporting cast was great, especially Nate's parents. The movie is enjoyable enough and instills a bit of Christmas spirit. Worth a watch if you are familiar/like Hallmark movies.

It deserves be better. For the effort of actors,for few real good points - especially the music - , for the potential of a nice friendhip story with reflexes of romantic comedy of 1930 - 1950, with good start point to become romance in authenthic way. But it remains a good try, mixing different pieces, a conflict and an initial war in something acceptable with some indulgence, forced change of intention and a beautiful concert.

I think "pleasant" is the key word here. The story is fine, the pace seems fine, the cast is fine, but it lacks any real spark romantically. To me it seems like the leads could be really good friends. What I did really enjoy was Alicia Witt's piano performance, she's the real deal musically and we got a taste of excellence there.

To me this looked like the typical Hallmark themed movie but with two of Hallmarks power leads in the main roles they managed to pull it off. I thought they had very good chemistry.

This is also the first time that I can recall that Alcia Witt has gotten to sing in one of her Hallmark movies, Christmas or otherwise, and she has a beautiful voice. That made the movie for me.