Um Natal Ex-pecial

The recipe for a successful Netflix Christmas Movie isn't hard. In fact, it's been quite successful in The Princess Switch, Knight Before Christmas, and others. All we the people want and need from these movies are an escape from our reality, smothered in lights, sweaters, egg nog and more. The blueprint is there - even with Melissa Joan Hart producing this movie - and it completely and utterly failed. Why? Because these characters - with the exception of Jameela and Nigel - are completely unlikable. I'll never understand why MJH passed this off to Alicia when she could have easily sold this movie with her effortless charm and delivered us an escape from reality. The script doesn't do them any favors - the nicknames "Betty and Al" are so stupid, and has nothing to do with the opposite gender. Nicknames should be not actual names! "I call her Mistle because we kissed under the mistletoe" - there, that alone that I just wrote was better than this entire script.

Alicia and Oliver have no chemistry. Now I'm a pro-environment voter through and through, but what's the last thing I want in a Netflix movie?! Alicia throwing out terrible dialogue about how everything Christmas is terrible for the environment!!! Again, we want an ESCAPE with these movies. Don't give me the harsh realities that I know! This is clearly why Alicia was an EP - but her activism doesn't belong in a movie like this.

It's also hard to believe a parent who is downright rude to both of her kids when she's so vulnerable at the holidays. She immediately hates the boyfriend and is non stop nagging the son for college essays - over Christmas break! Oliver is also dull and lame.

The two stars are solely for Jameela and Nigel, and the dads. These four were the only saving grace of this disastrous film. MJH should know better!

Look, I knew what I was getting into with a Hallmark/Lifetime-type Christmas movie, and I'm OK with that, generally. However, at least in those movies, the actors are TRYING. In 'a merry little Ex-MAS', nearly every performance (except perhaps two) were clearly phoned in. And don't even get me started on the writing. There was absolutely no reason to prolong the story beyond the one hour mark. Well, on the bright side, watching this movie puts me one step closer to canceling my Netflix subscription. I'll sign back up when Bridgerton S4 drops!

A decent Christmas movie without the usual Hallmark cringe. Made me laugh genuinely a few times and had a nice Christmas spirit. I was pleasantly surprised. Good acting and good actors. Will it win a Oscar ? No. Will it give you a cozy Christmas watching experience without feeling plastic hallmark Christmas? Yes! Recommend for watching with loved ones during the holidays.

I had some hope for this film as I like the cast. Jameela was especially good. But it was missing that Christmas sparkle, and felt quite bland. The ending dragged out, and although I don't mind some predictability in Christmas movies, this ending didn't feel very special. Overall quite disappointing.

I love these kind of movies but this was.... Odd. The kids are oblivious to their mom's feelings, the mom is controlling but also loses it a lot, the dad says pretty much the most hurtful thing you can say to an ex-wife. I wanted to like this for Alicia Silverstone but the story was uncomfortable. Maybe watch it once?