Christmas by Design

I first want to say Hallmark always asks for spoilers but all the plots and twists are the same Having said this I liked the movies and the cast is excellent. The two leads are fantastic together and rise above the story. The supporting cast were also very good and brought Christmas warmth and tradition to the movie. I wish Hallmark would be more inventive and retire the same old themes.

They really wasted the two leads. I look forward to seeing them in future romcoms. Why can't Hallmark come up with better themes and plots. People like myself are dictated but getting g tired of the same old stories. Wake up Hallmark before it's too late.

So far, Rebecca Dalton seems to have been cast as characters that have really rubbed me the wrong way. This one was no exception. She plays a snotty little pill in this movie who is not rehabilitated until the last 15 minutes or so. She is mean and rude to her newish stepfather, dismissive of her nice family, and looks down on the townspeople in her small town because she is all so important and cool as a NEW YORK CITY semi-successful fashion designer. She also hurts the guy who has been so nice and helpful to her by disparaging him to her friend when she doesn't know he is listening.

And haven't been too fond of her leading man either. He was actually pretty good in this one except for some reason, they have injected the info that he is the hometown hunk who is the object of desire of all of the cute single women in town. But at least he doesn't play a prince this time. In looks and stature he's kind on the wispy side compared to the usual Hallmark leading man. As kind of a humble sad widower seeking peace and healing in his new town, he was fine. He also comes across as quick witted and intelligent.

Because she was such an unlikable character in the beginning it made her repentance and rehabilitation that much more satisfying. That's all I came to say except that I wish they would use Joanna Douglas more often. I really like her. And the pajamas designed for the contest were spectacularly ugly.

Rebecca Dalton has been in some real rom/com bombs, but she has had a few good ones. This is a good one. One problem I have seen in the past is flat acting. She seemed totally natural in this one. She also had great chemistry with Jonathan Keltz. Their banter was great. I really enjoyed the development of their relationship.

Another theme throughout the movie is family alienation. She has some chip on her shoulder with her step dad which gets illuminated later. In fact she has friction with her entire family. There are highs and lows there.

There isn't much in the story that sets this movie apart.

How long have we been waiting for someone to say that?

This was a very average Hallmark offering. Not terrible, not great.

A snotty New York clothing designer returns to her hometown, and is forced to confront some memories, meets a guy, et cetera, et cetera.

The difference is the snotty designer is played by Rebecca Dalton. I have said in other posts, I can't take my eyes off Rebecca Dalton. Now that she's entering her mid- thirties, she's ready for Hallmark leads, and I hope she gets a lot of them.

She did a nice job here. The male lead she played against was actually pretty generic, but at least he wasn't a male model type.

This is not an unpleasant way to spend a couple hours.

Will I watch it again?

Yyyyyep.

Movie story was actually worth 10 stars BUT the lead male actor Jonathan Keltz was TERRIBLE and we rated him (F). He was a total MISMATCH as a lead male. Make sure you don't use him in 2024. Your Producers and Directors have to do better evaluations of male actors. I had to comment on a web site for Hallmark and Hallmark Mystery channels and we listed a few more that need to be removed in 2024. Joey Heyworth rated (F)-- Torrance Coombs rated (F)--Brendah Fehr- rated (F)-Sam Page rated (D)--Jilan Vanover rated (F)--Chad Murray- rated (C)-Jesse Metcalfe- rated (D)--- Dillion Casey rated (C)--Neal Bledsue rated (C)---