Same Time, Next Christmas

This movie is filled to the brim with great actors, but unfortunately that seems to be the only thing great about it. The character writing is generally passable for a rom-com, except for Bryan Greenberg's character, Gregg, who is boring, obsessed with work and so self-obeseed it is a wonder he is ever considered a viable romantic possibility, and Phil Morris' character, Mr. Williams, whose personality is 'sports', and that's it. Although portrayed well by their actors, these characters take the viewer right out of the story. The story is classically rom-com cheesy and predictable, and it guides the viewer through the story in a way that makes it seem like they expect the viewer to be a little slow. Lea Michele is fantastic, although her character also has its issues. Unfortunately, it seems the creators of this piece spent the money on the actors and the locations, and not the writing and editing team.

Just because the film takes place around Christmas time each year over two decades of Christmas's in Hawaii this made for TV film is nothing more than every girls dream of a long range romance that simmers and glimmers for a young girl (Lea Michele) named Olivia Anderson. It's a chick flick plain and simple that young girls and (maybe some) disillusioned wives will most likely feel all kinds of butterflies in their tummies over. Will somebody please gag me with a pine cone.

As a married man who enjoys all film genres I despise when a film has "CHRISTMAS" in the film title to which we assume the film must have something to do with the magic of Christmas but such is not the case with Same Time, Next Christmas. Mrs. Shullivan seemed to enjoy it so maybe I have something to worry about with my own marriage????

I blame the deceptive film title for possibly ruining my marriage, but it won't lessen my spirit for enjoying a real Christmas themed movie like Kurt Russell in the 2018 film The Christmas Chronicles. Look for this aforementioned title instead and don't be fooled by Same Time, Next Christmas, as it is NOT a Christmas film, it is a CHICK FLICK!!!!

Second chance story in amazing natural scenery. It's not very Christmasy, but full of positive vibes (at least in the first half). The premise is original in terms of holiday movies - two people who fancy each other meet once a year on Christmas vacation, but the timing is never right for them. Of course, there is a love triangle and a big city workaholic boyfriend that is supposed to be unlikable, and one can easily argue that heroes don't know each other that well to be called soulmates by everyone since they only meet for a couple of days and don't stay in touch in the meantime. However, it was nice seeing some fresh faces in the genre, especially The Originals' Charles and Glee's Lea. All in all pleasant movie that can disappoint those looking for a movie filled with typical holiday activities, you won't find them here.

More PC, woke messaging from modern day Hollywood. This is on top of a bad acting and a lame plot. Ever wonder what happened to Nia Vardalos from My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Well, she plays the mom in this movie. Badly. Same with George Newbern who was in countless 80s cheeseball flicks. If your daughter is less that 16, please don't let them watch this or at least don't make yourself sit through this with them.

I know Lea Michele mainly from "Glee", where she was a mix of appealing an annoying. I liked her character a lot there, and she has had several TV roles since which I didn't enjoy quite as much. Here she is very appealing and still quite pretty. Her acting is good for this sort of movie.

Charles Michael Davis is also quite appealing. I sort of see where he has a different kind of appeal, but I don't really get the full benefit.

Phil Morris does a very good job, but that's to be expected. He was a detective from "The Young and the Restless" and I have seen him in other roles. I do wonder, though, why so many football metaphors when it's baseball he loves.

Bryan Greenberg has a certain appeal and is not a stereotypical bad guy. He just doesn't fit with this group and we know it. His attempt to be one of them is impressive. We just doubt we'll be quite happy with him.

Of course this movie fits a formula. It's a great formula. Sure, there is a little more uncertainty than I would have liked, but the ending is satisfactory. Or maybe it's more than that. I don't want to say too much.

Is this family friendly? I'd like to say so. On ABC it was rated TV-PG-D, and while I don't recall anything of an explicit nature, maybe they were being cautious because there were kids in the cast.

I don't see nearly enough of these movies. Aside from the fact that I don't want to spend the kind of money required to get all the channels, I wouldn't have time for all the movies like this on a certain channel whose name we all know.

But if I had to see just one of these movies this year (and I'm hoping the channels I have will offer more of them later) this is a good one.