Jolly Good Christmas

This is a Hallmark movie that worked, with a British cast and filmed in London, England. Strange to hear Will Kemp with an American accent, it wasn't perfect but it worked. Reshama Shetty was very good as Anji, she was very natural. The leads had chemistry which always shows on the big screen or small one. The supporting cast of James Faulkner, Callum Blue, Jules Knight and others were very good.

This wasn't the usual Hallmark movie, the lead character is a male not a female and it had more depth to it. There were screwball comedy elements and a Christmas market that was very Dickensian. Will Kemp was a ballet dancer and the dancing scene at the charity event was probably choreographed by Will.

Bravo to Hallmark branching out into London more! Give me ALL the UK, European locations you can throw at me! -especially at Christmas time!

Unfortunately, it was difficult watching Will Kemp do an American accent; I would have raised my review 2 stars if it was Brit! The actress who played Anjali was adorable, but her being a chronic hustler was not very appealing. That said, the storyline lacked appeal. All Hallmark had to do was watch a couple Michael Damian movies for inspiration. Europe is magical at Christmas time, and so much more could have been done with this great location and great cast, but unfortunately, I felt let down. Storyline/teleplay was slow and not very romantic. It was a mere 5 for me, and I did want so much to love it.

-Did I mention that dismal "American" accent? Poor Will Kemp...

So, they churn out forty movies a season. There will be a handful that are surprisingly good, a few that are god-awful bad and a bunch in the middle that one will forget an hour later.

This one is, I am pleased to say, not only one of the best ones of the season but one of the best ones I have seen. Yes, if you have seen at least three Hallmark movies previously, you will know how certain plot points will play out. But, this one has very clever dialogue throughout and its British setting cannot help but to give it a touch of class. The two leads are, simply, excellent, doing feature-quality work on a tight, TV movie timeline. They both look beautiful, separately and together and have wonderful chemistry. They really seem to be having a great time with the playful, sometimes even farcical plot as the audience gets to go along on their madcap adventure.

This is a pattern proven by two previous movies I can think of set in a foreign locales, "Christmas in Rome" and "Christmas in Vienna" where footage of the European city's actual Christmas decor makes the movie part travelogue. This is certainly refreshing after seeing two dozen or so "Christmas in My Hometown" movies where, let us face it, the "tinsel in every shot, DAMMIT" policy can get a bit tiring.

Again, it is not as if the Ten Hallmark Movie Tropes are not present. However, they are camouflaged by a superior production with a very talented cast and the effect is far more "rom-com" than sentimental and gooey.

Very much enjoyed this movie. Production value was very good, as were the actors - who were refreshing for their maturity.

Yes, we've seen the personal shopper storyline before. But this one was done well.

It also was delightful to see how ethnic Indians are integrated into British society; what coould be more British than owning a pub?

I loved the British scenery, and the reference to the King tells me this was filmed later in the year - or the producers took the time to update one scene.

The true test is how many times I'd watch this again. I could probably watch this 5 times or so, hence it rates an 8.

How sad that the wonderful, attractive and so talented Will Kemp was so mis-used in this film. The story was clever, sweet, and adorable! The views of London were thrilling, and the young woman lead actress was beautiful and charming and quite a good actress.

All that said, my only focus has to be on how poorly Will Kemp was portrayed in this romantic story. Will is a ballet dancer. He has phenomenal physical grace and presence. He moves, he holds his body, his head in the most classic and lovely manner. To have him portrayed here as an American with almost a ridiculous script to follow, was a sheer waste, and almost an insult to this very lovely, talented man.

The phony American accent he had to use was so distracting, and so poorly pronounced, it was painful to watch him go through that script. Why could he simply not have been British?

I wonder if the Hallmark actors have any input or say into the characters they portray. If Will Kemp is simply under contract and has to do what he is "assigned" to do, poor fellow. This was so far beneath his skill set and his lovely personal image.

All that aside, this was a charming story. The young woman lead was perfect in every scene. Kudos also to the actors portraying her parents.

The only problem with all of it was the poor use, the sheer mis-use of the wonderful Will Kemp. Next movie, please, some dignity for this lovely man, and maybe even some dancing. He is a phenomenal as a dancer and an actor. Look back at Royal Matchmaker.

Hallmark, let's be a bit more kind to him. When such stunning grace and talent is available, why not use to the fullest and show us what you've got?