Undercover Holiday

I like Christmas movies. I just want fun entertainment. I LOVED the portrayal of traditional Hispanic holiday making. The Spanglish, dancing, and dual language songs were great.

Now the singing, however. Most music was fine, but when Jaylen and Abuela were at the piano, wow. Incredibly bad. Better editing would have helped. Wardrobe should have dressed Jaylen for her shape. Some of their choices were not flattering.

And the "soldier" turned private security. #1 if he was in the Navy he was NOT a soldier. #2 if the character had been an actual Navy Seal, he would not have had to mention it so much.

Nothing against either lead, she was very bubbly and fun, and I've seen him in other shows where his character appears to be a better fit. But as far as chemistry, I didn't get it. Didn't see it, either. When they are walking own a sidewalk discussing are we/aren't we, she is holding his flaccid arm. He was not participating, not at all.

The whole Fake Boyfriend trope has been done, and done much better before.

I LOVE hallmark Christmas movies but man this one was a huge flop! I didn't even finish the last 20 min. I just couldn't! I really really tried. Except for the grandma, the acting was terrible. Noemi Gonzalez, who plays the main character, sadly was not a good actress. Beautiful but couldn't sing and wasn't believable to be a famous singer. The chemistry between her and Stephen Huszar was the worst I've ever seen. I know "Christmas chick flicks" can be cringey but this was the cringey of them all. Please don't waste your time with this one. Skip it and go to another less cringey Christmas movie.

Before I decided to make any comments, I decided to read a number of reviews. Boy are you guys harsh! I had a completely different take.

First you have to realize that this is a Hallmark movie. Masterpiece theater it is not. They are the most formulaic movies on earth. You can take any male female duo in the Hallmark stable and plug them into the plot.

I had never heard of Noemi Gonzales before. I've seen the male actor a few times before. So here is where I differ from almost all of you.

I thought there was chemistry between the two leads. I particularly like Noemi. I thought she acted well and had a great smile.

I am ancient and a widower. My wife and I had a 5 decade relationship before a heart attack took her. Many Hallmark movies remind me of our own relationship, so I watch them and remember the joy we had.

That being said, I will say that the quality of Hallmark movies in my opinion has decreased markedly over the years. I have subscribed to the channel for several years since my wife died and find them less and less appealing.

This movie was not one of them. I enjoyed the ethnic component of the movie as well as the interplay between the two main actors.

I will say that I hope Hallmark brings Noemi Gonzales on for more movies. She is Mexican American, my wife was Sicilian. I enjoy contrasting cultures. I thought she was fun to watch.

I normally like Stephen Huszar on Hallmark. NOT THIS ONE. He is totally miscast. Noemi Gonzalez is unbelievable in this role. No chemistry at all. I am sitting here struggling to get through the movie. There was just a scene where she's sitting at the piano with her grandmother - and she's singing. Totally flat and unpleasant to listen to. She's pleasant enough to watch - and I am sure paired with the correct male lead - she'd be much better.

The supporting cast is just OK. Her "sister-in-law" is about to give birth - but just stands there rubbing her belly and smiling. Clue for the writers/director - most pregnant woman don't stand there rubbing their swollen bellies CONSTANTLY.

Overall - this movie was not good at all.

This is a predictable story the follows along the usual lines for a fake boyfriend. The fake boyfriend is also her bodyguard. Jaylen, a rising pop star, apparently has a stalker. Unfortunately it is all much ado about little. One of the themes of the story is about Jaylen standing up for herself - "always courageous". The people who seem to be holding her back are her own family, but that angle is oversold.

Noemi Gonzalez and Stephen Huszar have a little chemistry but it doesn't stand out. The acting doesn't seem too good, but I think a lot of that is the script.

Gonzalez gives a couple of good performances including singing in both English and Spanish.