Christmas Waltz

This movie reminds me very strongly of another movie that I can't name. (Watched that movie a weeks or two later--"Come Dance with Me" aka "Christmas Dance".) Many details are the same including taking the lessons for a to impress the girlfriend/fiancé, and dancing on the sidewalk. Otherwise, the story is a bit different than many of the Christmas movies coming out every year.

At least one of the developments may be predictable, but it is totally outlandish. That's OK though. I recently pointed out in another review that this type movie is only a couple of steps removed from the Fantasy or SciFi genres for suspending realism. Realism aside, it was quite a beautiful and dramatic development.

Beside the beauty of the dancing, the attraction here is the chemistry between Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp. They also starred in Love, Romance and Chocalate. For me this movie was a great improvement for both of them.

Chabert commented in at least one interview that she had to work hard to even learn the basics for the dancing. She's not a young kid - got to hand it to her for the effort. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Chabert is ready for professional waltz contests, but for most of us amateur viewers there was some nice dancing together with Kemp.

I get a little uncomfortable in these movies when one of the main male rivals takes on the Neanderthal approach. I guess the outcome of that effort here makes it clear that there is no place for that attitude.

The leads, the dances and the sets are absolutely joyful to watch. It is sweet and lovely.

A Christmas Waltz (2020) -

Although Will Kemp as Roman was very British for a Russian, he was actually quite lovely and charming. Sometimes a Brit in films like these can really stand out as awkward, but he worked nicely, without laying on a cockney or royal accent too thickly.

I also really liked the connection that he made with Lacey Chabert as Avery, although the upsets and walking away all the time got to be a tad boring. But, at least the falling out that always happens was more genuine this time. It was a believable scenario and not just a misheard conversation or a sudden lack of trust. To be fair, she obviously didn't love her fiancé David either.

I honestly wasn't expecting to like this one because the dance ones are usually terrible, but this wasn't at all.

I also liked that the two leads were both capable dancers and it wasn't just bodged and blagged. I've seen so many of these films where "Amazing" and "Professional" dancers perform to save the town, Etc and they look like an old, paraplegic, football player on week one of 'Strictly Come Dancing' (2004-) / 'Dancing With The Stars' (2005-), so it was nice to see that the final result was a show that I would actually be happy to pay to see.

Even the kids were good dancers, I could have easily believed that the stage show element was real footage from an actual paid for performance and the audience was real.

I will definitely watch this one again and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did this time.

7/10.

This has become my favorite movie. It's beautifully written, elegantly filmed, and leaves me with the urge to go out and follow my dream, as Avery did. The story line is simple yet compelling, as two people fall in love as they help each other make their dreams come true. Can't say enough about lovely Lacey Chabert and elegant Will Kemp. What a talented pair, and such wonderful chemistry on screen. The ending is awesome. Can't wait for it to be available on dvd. Thank you Damians, for this thoroughly enjoyable entertainment.

Is there any movie where Lacey isn't perfectly sweet and lovable? She's just so lovely and such a great actress. We liked the story, dancing, acting, and Christmas spirit!! Loved it!!