Royally Wrapped for Christmas

It's the time for fairy tales. Kids-at -heart love stories with princes or princesses. No point wondering why, in all of these far-away Kingdoms, everybody speak English and the plots are predictably repeated along the same theme. This time is Veronia, of which we only see a few angles around the royal palace and the palace interiors. The Prince, Brendan Fehr, appears a little uneasy in his role, maybe due to his efforts to speak with a British accent. Is it Amerish or Britican ? The American heroine, Jen Lilley, is, perhaps, a little too flirtacious in the attempt to create the impression of a real attraction. Yet, the entire production works well. The palace is impressively royal, the interiors are rich, all characters are essentially Christmas-nice, and kindness prevails in the core of the story. If you, righteously, feel it could have been done better, just see how much more horribly it could have been, when you try to watch "Christmas with a Crown", upcoming on Lifetime channel.

It was a great movie. Very beautiful atmosphere of love and kindness, caring and giving. I like when a movie has a message and it motivates you to do something good. Jen Lilley was just incredible in this movie.

We have immensely loved this movie. We have accidentally catch it on the TV, but don't regret watching it at all, moreover, it was a present for us. Great story, super actors/actresses, fantastic atmosphere, spiced with spirit of Christmas. It teaches a lot about love, human relationships and emotions, kindness, selflessness and the magic of gifting. Gifting from our heart can change the people and the whole world. It ends a bit suddenly, but the happy end compensates it. I cannot say any negative about the film. This movie is one the best ones I have ever watched. I really recommend it to everyone.

Christmas and royalty is a combination that has been seen many times with Hallmark over the years, at least once Christmas-themed royal film every year. This formula has been executed with variable success, some being surprisingly good, some average and some really not worth bothering other than completest sake. Brendan Fehr is a very watchable actor and while Jen Lilley is very hit and miss for me some of her work has been good, but it has always been dependent on the character.

'Royally Wrapped for Christmas' is neither one of the best or worst Christmas/royal films from Hallmark, and is a long way from being either with their royal films in general (not all their royal films are centered around Christmas). On the whole, it was watchable with some good things. It also felt rather average with some not very well done aspects and not really anything exceptional. As far as Hallmark goes, one can do with far worse than 'Royally Wrapped for Christmas' but they have certainly done better.

The best thing about the film is Fehr, who has a subtle easy going charm with no signs of being forced. Fiona Reid is suitably dignified and disapproving. The scenery is beautifully picturesque and has a really festive feel and the castle interiors and exteriors are enough to make one want to stay there. The photography is suitably slick.

Music puts one into the festive mood and gives off a cosy nostalgia. There is some charm and genuine sweetness here.

Lilley however didn't do it for me here, she tries too hard and her character is too sickly perfect. It was like the writers were trying to not exaggerate any character flaws but instead went too far the other way of overdoing the positive aspects of the character to the extent it feels affected. Most of the cast overact and most of the characters are too cartoony and typical Hallmark cliches, with clearly fake accents galore, Fehr's being the only one to rise above that a little.

It is hard to deny too that 'Royally Wrapped for Christmas', even for trying to take it for what it is, is riddled with clichés, non-stop predictability and contrivance. It also feels far too easily resolved and too quickly as well. The script is awkward sounding and sounds very cheesy and schmaltzy.

Concluding, watchable but also very average. 5/10.

Seeing "Jared Booth" (from the series BONES ) playing royalty and speaking in a PHONEY British accent is so bad. Why do all these movies on Up, Hallmark, Family etc. INSIST on every "phoney country or principality " they make up for these movies' have everyone speaking in a British accent. Why can't they use a Germanic or French or Italian phoney accent, or just have them speak good old English. Not every person in Europe was educated in England. Some went to France or EVEN the United States to be educated. Fake accents are DUMB.

Just my HBAO (humble but accurate opinion"!