Magic in Mistletoe

The story is about Harrington, (Paul Campbell) a writer of bestselling Christmas fantasy novels that are based on his hometown of Mistletoe. After the death of his parents he has become a cynical recluse, he no longer believes in the magic of Christmas and views it as just a way for people to make money. He posts his feelings on social media which creates a lot of negative backlash. The timing couldn't be worse because it coincides with the release of his latest Christmas fantasy book. The publishing house sends a publicist, April (Lyndie Greenwood) to do damage control and save book sales and Harrington's career. Her plan is for Harrington to return to his hometown in order to restore his love of Christmas by showing him how much his books mean to his fans and also the town of Mistletoe. Harrington is anything but cooperative, and she threatens him with a lawsuit to make him cooperate. As April takes Harrington on a schedule of events coinciding with Mistletoe's Christmas Festival, she sees a softer side of him, and sees how the town really loves him. Harrington starts to warm up to what Christmas really means and also warms up to April too. However, several conflicts arise due to emotional memories from his past. The question is will Harrington overcome these obstacles and will his love of Christmas and trust in people be restored?

Lyndie Greenwood is a delight as the charismatic and always way too prepared April ( I'd like to see her in more Hallmark movies). Paul Campbell is perfect in the role of the the moody and cynical and wise cracking Harrington. Greenwood and Campbell have great chemistry together and the dialog is witty. The movie is a little slow paced at times, yes it's predictable, and the ending is a bit rushed. But overall, its an enjoyable and entertaining movie.

After Campbell's hilarious Three Wise Men an a Baby I had high expectations on a fun quick-witted flick. The movie was unfortunately low on the comedy, higher on tropes.

The premise was slightly different than normally in Hallmark Christmas films, with the prickly novelist and the competent (and not bungling) PR person. This should've translated in more sparkly banter than there was.

Lyndie Greenwood's female lead was radiant, but Paul Campbell's character felt a bit bland in comparison: sympathetic, but not with the same energy levels. I couldn't really picture those two as a couple.

It was a pity that the novel they talked about sounded much more exciting than this movie.

I know I sound like the grinch but this is the worst hallmark Christmas movie I've ever watched...my wife and I watch alot but this guy and the leading lady would never make it in the real world...he's flat and drab in acting and is way below her pay grade...no chemistry at all. Most of these movies are around 5 with an occasional 7...maybe cause I'm a guy but I watch alot of these and this one was a bomb...if the guy could be replaced with most dudes they use it actually might have a half life...and the script of getting upset with the leading lady twice proves to me he's a turkey and she needs to find a better human being.

8.0 stars.

'Magic in Mistletoe' is of a rare breed of films that really caught my attention, even though there isn't anything particularly outstanding. The whole production is above average, not a single aspect is tawdry or leaves us expecting for more than what is delivered at each precise and timely moment. The romance is spot on, not too fast, not too slow, not too much, or too little. We don't have to wade through the formulaic monotony of most Hallmark stories, but instead we are humored by a cast of characters and a production crew with something fresh. But is anything really original in 'Magic in Mistletoe'? No, not really. But what is novel is the way it's presented. Something about the method in which the leads interact somehow feels different like genuine attraction, more than a performance.

He portrays an author of bestselling Christmas fantasy novels that are based upon the town he grew up in: Mistletoe. As of late, he has been morose and somewhat of a scrooge, recently caught posting a statement about how he no longer believes in Christmas. His sullen attitude is very believable. She is his publicist, and must be a taskmaster as she attempts to resurrect his career from total devastation. What a wonderful and charismatic actress she is to bring to life a "groupie" persona, of a woman who secretly adores everything about him: his writing, his character, his faults, and his failures. But she must also control her emotions and guide him back to the focused and successful writer that he once was.

This story builds up to a wonderful ending. It's a rare gem that can gain momentum like 'Magic in Mistletoe' and leave us wanting more. I hope to see a sequel, but I don't feel it lends itself to one.

This is a Hallmark Christmas Movie. It's this time of the year that I come to Hallmark to get out of the "Real World" and stick my head in the Christmas Sand.

The formula is basically the same with each film but THAT IS WHY WE WATCH THESE !!! They make us feel good at Christmas.

There are about 6 or 7 Actors that I'll watch the Christmas Movie without knowing what it is about. In particular, Paul Campbell is one. I used to look for the new Christmas Movies to watch by the current year first. Now I look by Actor's Name AND the current year hoping they've made a new one!

After last year's "THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY", he stuck out. That film is a Hallmark all-time Fave and you don't need to be a Hallmark Fan to love that one.

So when I read negative reviews, I can't help but think "why are you here?". You are getting exactly why you turn on these holiday films to begin with.

No doubt that some ARE better than others and I am a huge Hallmark Movie Fan. I watch with my cuz and we came up with our own Rating System as follows: Fair (7) Cute & Good (8), Very ROMANTIC (9), BIG Feel Good movie that makes us CRY & a Fave (10).

There have been a couple of them that I have stopped watching for 30 minutes bc they have not captured and kept my attention. We warn each other not to bother. They NEVER star one of the big Hallmark Stars.

THIS MOVIE WAS CUTE & GOOD...hardly a flop by any means.