You Light Up My Christmas

I loved the premise of finding your holiday spirit. The movie was nostalgic is so many different ways. I really hope that this is the first of many movies with the ladies of FoL in varying storylines.

This was such a cute movie!! You cant expect everything out of this movies. We know they're going to end up together at the end its just how these type of movies end but its the journey to get us there is what's important in a movie and this movie was light hearted and fun. I loved the chemistry between the leading actors. Kim did a really good job. Her character was passionate about Christmas and keeping her families legacy alive. If you just want something that you can just sit back and watch that puts you in a good mood this movie will do it for you. But if you expect there to be a perfect script then you'll be disappointed but the people who love Lifetime movies for what they are this one is so cute! I'm gonna rewatch it again.

Felt like the constant wardrobe and hairstyle changes by the lead character (Kim Fields) overwhelmed the story line. Some of the outfits were a bit much. I look forward to seeing more movies with, and produced by Kim Fields. I think she is a wonderful actress and producer!

'You Light Up My Christmas' is another one of those Lifetime Christmas films to have a rather cheesy and uninspired title, but also have a story that potentially could be quite charming and sweet. There never has been any bias against Lifetime's output, much of it is formulaic sure and some of it has just as much corn and schmaltz of that of Hallmark's but with the right leads and the right amount of charm and heart they can have some likeability. Provided that not too much is expected from it.

Didn't expect a massive amount from 'You Light Up My Christmas' and overall got a film that isn't that bad but isn't really my definition of good. If people think otherwise fair enough and good for them, there are sporadic good things but personally do actually agree with the criticisms that have been cited. As far as the 2019 Lifetime Christmas films (a very hit and miss batch, with most falling somewhere in between) are, 'You Light Up My Christmas' to me is among the worst.

The best thing about 'You Light Up My Christmas' is Kim Fields, who radiates with energy and charm and it was easy to be endeared to her. If it seems like she's overacting, to me she wasn't, it is because unlike the rest of the cast she actually looked as though she was trying.

It is a pleasant looking film, especially the scenery. The music is pleasant enough, and is not as constant or intrusive as with other Lifetime efforts.

On the other hand, 'You Light Up My Christmas' has a lot of debits. A big one being Adrian Holmes, who looks bored out of his mind throughout. The chemistry between him and Fields is at best bland and takes too little time to develop. Lisa Welchel overplays her character and makes her even more annoying than she already was. Emma is the only halfway likeable and interesting character, all the others are dull as dishwater or irritate. The interaction throughout between everybody doesn't come over as natural enough, being both forced and static. The direction is at best only functional and at most points it's leaden.

Calling 'You Light Up My Christmas' cliched sums it up well, both story and characters, and that is being generous. Some familiar (well actually well worn out) story tropes here, all predictably executed. The first portions are slow and quite thinly plotted, uneventful at times, and some decision making seemed contrived. The script lays it on too thick with the corn and slushy schmaltz, not unexpected but it was overkill in places. The film doesn't get off to a particularly good start, very cheesy and quite dull, while the ending is rushed and too tidy and the lack of tension and conflict severely hurts what little there is of the drama.

Summing up, weak but not unwatchable. 3/10

This movie would have been nothing without Kim Fields. I liked that the other Facts of Life main cast were in the movie is small parts but it was not enough and poor Lisa Whelchel had the dumbest part of all. I really don't like Christmas movies that much because they are all super predictable but this was semi-enjoyable.