Other than my lifelong love of Christmas and that it was part of my Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas films quest, my reason (there is always a main reason for seeing something) for watching 'A Christmas Love Story' was Kristen Chenoweth. A very gifted and likeable performer and am always in awe at how such an amazing and powerful singing voice comes out of such a small person, most evident on all counts in her definitive version of "The Girl in 14G".
Am actually not going to be quite as enthusiastic as others have been in talking about 'A Christmas Love Story', it didn't quite wow me. Did find myself liking it quite a lot though, it didn't try to do too much while always showing signs of trying and there is a lot to like about it. 2019 has not been the best of years for Hallmark and their Christmas films, but 'A Christmas Love Story' agreed is up there as one of their better ones that year and can totally see the appeal.
Sure the romantic angle of the story is very standard Hallmark, with it doing very little new with very over-familiar story tropes used so many times. Very little is surprising here, though that was not unexpected as you do come to expect that from watching Hallmark Christmas films.
Did find some of the dialogue quite cheesy and the early stages are a bit on the thin side narratively which bogs the momentum down a bit.
However, there is a lot here that works. Really liked the performances. A lot of criticism has been directed towards Chenoweth's diction and admittedly her diction is usually clearer than here but the performance itself for me was actually quite charming and neither over-compensates or phones in. Vocally, she still has it and sounds amazing. Scott Wolf proves himself to be much more than just handsome looks, he seems at ease with his material without playing it too safe, is confident and never looks embarrassed or confused. He and Chenoweth's chemistry seems genuine and has charm and tenderness, even if it doesn't quite scintillate all the way through. Keith Robinson stood out in support. The characters are not meaty in development but didn't bore or annoy me at least, Katherine is interesting.
Furthermore, 'A Christmas Love Story' is well made visually. The scenery is beautiful and the camera certainly seemed to think so. Also loved the music here, this aspect can be problematic in Hallmark's films with a tendency to be too constant and too loud. Here the music is uplifting and has an infectiousness. The direction is solid enough, not exceptional but not routine or amateurish. The dialogue is mostly good-natured and light-hearted and even if the story is standard and derivative and a slow starter it is very sweet and doesn't feel cold emotionally. The setting, relatively different for Hallmark, is very well used and there is a neat twist towards the end that didn't come over as obvious.
On the whole, well above average and one of the 2019 Hallmark Christmas films that are worth watching. 7/10
