Christmas Time Is Here

This film just plodded along, like hands on the watch.

Everyone seemed sedated. The actors sleepily went through their lines, leads not really generating any attraction to each other. The writing was unenergetic, as nothing really happened - even the compulsory conflict "tearing" the couple apart barely registered. The solutions to problems fell to the leads' laps, already foreseen by the entire viewership from the beginning.

I did kind of perk up when they introduced some heritage elements, such as the photos and the female lead's old watch: I thought we're in for some plot twist. This opportunity was disappointingly wasted, and the watch concept remained random and contrived.

I'll add an extra star, however, for the location scout and the cinematographer, for making the inn and the village look so appealing - I now really want to spend Christmas at Pine Valley Inn! (If only it existed.)

All and all, unexciting but harmless and cosy nonetheless. I can imagine this would be suitable to watch during Christmas Day siesta; nothing to alert you from your semi-slumber.

I don't believe Hallmark would ever have let "Nia" been completely deceptive and still be the lead. Nothing could save this. Sad because I like she and Williams in past efforts.

Love Rukiya, but lord this was boring. Even she was struggling to save this. They tried to inject some chemistry by pairing her with Deshawn with whom she had had a successful paring previously, but no. On the upside, loved the duet at the end. Lovely. Who knew she could sing too?

I honestly don't understand why this one rated low by some. Maybe because the leads are not vanilla? Hmmm... I have seen generic Hallmark movies that were horrific, and they rated higher than this so i guess individuals are rating based on something else other than, story, acting and chemistry between the leads. I would say okay script, simple but effective. The acting was better than even some of the cream of the crop Hallmark leads. Good chemistry but that's a given because they have been in several movies together. Rukiya is adorable as usual because she has been in a lot of Hallmark Movies as the best friend, so it is nice to see her get a lead role.

GAC seems to have found the gentle touch that Hallmark used to have and fails to retrieve in most of its recent productions. Here, straight from Hallmark, they re-propose Rukiya Bernard and Dewshane Williams. The plot is not very original and quite simple. Most of the action revolves around the interaction of two main characters. This could have been the recipe for a disaster. Yet, the results are quite good. The lead actors are lively, funny and likeable. They work very well together and do create the feeling of a real attraction between them, amid the skirmishes. Hence, they make the story flow convincingly to the predictable conclusion. In summary, not a spectacular film, yet one still able to provide nice Yuletide entertainment.