Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. Decided to see one that wasn't from Hallmark or Lifetime.
'Christmas on 5th Avenue' could have been a good deal better than it was though. There are things that are good, but there are too many areas where it is lacking (badly) for me to recommend it. 'Christmas on 5th Avenue' is a long way from being one of the worst Christmas films seen recently, where there has been a mixture of good, bad and somewhere in between, but it is also a long way from being one of the best. In ranking, it would be somewhere around lower middle.
The best thing about 'Christmas on 5th Avenue' is Kathryn Davis, who is charming and perky throughout and the only actor to understand what sort of film she was in. Maybe she does overdo the (actually quite lovely) smile at times, but this aspect has been done far worse in other similar films and it wasn't in a gratuitous way. Liked her character too, the only character that was interesting or likeable, with her charm and good intentions.
A few other things are decent. It is attractive enough visually, particularly in the scenery. The music has a pleasant nostalgia and isn't overused or overbearing. There are moments of charm and heart.
On the other hand, a lot was wanting. Am in agreement with those that have criticised Olivier Renaud, who is incredibly rigid and is completely made of ice emotionally. The character is meant to be a "cold fish" and uptight, this reviewer gets that, the problem is that the character also never properly grew or mellowed and both traits were overdone, so it felt very one dimensional. He and Davis have no warmth or spark in their chemistry, too distant, too ice cold with too many reactions to situations on Renaud's side not making sense. Would actually find it hard to buy them as friends let alone lovers in real life. Like Renaud's character, the chemistry never grows or warms despite it meaning to and it is underdeveloped.
Furthermore, the support acting is incredibly cheesy and found their characters annoying ciphers rather than real people. Did find the script too stilted and schmaltzy. Although it did have charming and heartfelt moments, the story is thin, drags a lot and takes itself too seriously and safely (it shouldn't have been afraid of having some playfulness and light hearted-ness). Culminating in a blatantly predictable and unrealistically pat ending. And yes the theatre balcony is fake looking.
Rather lacking in lustre afraid to say. 4/10.
