By this time of year..a week before Christmas, one can pretty much expect to have seen every movie plot permutation possible. The formula is time-tested, it is comforting in its familiarity, and always gives the viewer a smile when the happy ending arrives. While this film meets all those criteria, it stands out because of the excellent acting involved, as well as the intelligent, snappy dialogue. Andrew Walker is a marvelous actor, with a vast store of acting talent..He has a range of facial expressions, delivers dialogue with appropriate feeling, and is extremely attractive and appealing..In all his movies, he offers a true depiction of his character..There is never anything bland or repetitious about his acting...Bethany Joy Lenz is gifted in any role she undertakes. She has an intelligent demeanor, she has a range of expressions..and to her credit, unlike other holiday movie actresses, she does not spend her time on screen giggling or frantically smiling.
One feature of this type of movie that might be thought about more carefully by the writers or producers is the cliche moment when the male and female leads are a moment away from their first kiss..the heroine's ex always appears. It is predictable, it is almost a joke by now, and it really interrupts any originality of the moment..There must be a way to re-think this cliche moment because the viewer is so used to it, it is actually comical when it happens in every film.
This is a really appealing movie..Give it a chance..You will smile , for sure.
