Christmas a la Mode

Once again we have the family business being squeezed by big business....but also a prodigal sister too. Big business is actually rather ethical throughout this rendition, but the sister is an over-the-top antagonist. Our leads fall into the ubiquitous slow-burn romance once again, but since this is Lifetime, not Hallmark, I was disappointed the romance elements were so hesitant and G-rated. The leads were featured in another series called Confessions. While a much grittier, darker drama, the same leads' romance was much more intense and palpable. However, for a fluff piece movie, their acting was still engaging and we get our somewhat surprise happy ending.

'Christmas a La Mode' had one of those premises that actually didn't excite me all that much. It sounded very thin on the ground and like one of those films where everything was going to be obvious from the get go all the way through to the end. It is one of those premises that has been done quite a few times before and done quite conventionally each time. Saw it anyway, being such a big fan of Christmas and because of seeing a number of Lifetime/Hallmark etc. Christmas films overtime.

My somewhat indifferent feelings on the premise has sadly not changed all that much since watching 'Christmas a La Mode', with its execution of it being pretty much what it sounded like reading the basic synopsis. It isn't a terrible film, there are moments and good things, but there is not much really that is great either and some things are downright badly executed. There are certainly far worse Christmas films around, also far better.

There are good things here in 'Christmas a La Mode'. The best thing about it for me was Ryan Cooper, who came over as charming and sympathetic and his character was easily the easiest to warm to. Katie Leclerc also fared well and gives it her all, she didn't overdo the role and it didn't sound like she was just reading the lines. Did like them together and it was clear that they cared for each other.

Visually, 'Christmas a La Mode' looks attractive with some lovely scenery complemented without any signs of drabness or garishness by the photography. There are a few sweet moments here and there.

However, do agree with those that found the music too constant and too loud and it was neither interesting or appealing music. It balances poorly with the dialogue, which is also nothing to write home about due to the overload of cheese and over-sentiment. Also agree with those that found the character of Dorothy insufferably irritating and her last minute character change far too unrealistically abrupt. Jennifer Ellis overacted the character in my view too.

Found the story paper thin, with a pretty uneventful first half, and dully paced on the whole. While also hastily and too patly wrapping things up at the end. Generally it lacked charm and heart, with too little to it, and pretty much everything was obvious well before they happened. Only the two leads are good when it comes to the acting, everybody else overacts or is forgettable with none of their characters being interesting. The direction is workmanlike at best.

Overall, lacklustre but with moments. 4/10

You could summarize the entire movie, along with predicting the ending, from the previews that were shown on the network constantly prior to the premiere. There was one small piece that supported the token outcome and most people will figure it out as soon as the vehicle for that piece is introduced.

I have never liked the save-the-family-business/farm trope. It's tolerable if it stays in the background. But Emily expended 10 times as much effort and emotion on saving the farm as she did on Charlie.

Many Christmas movies have thin plot lines. They back it up and fill out the movie with likeable characters and chemistry between the leads. One character was likeable. The other character might generate sympathy for her cause, and maybe respect for perseverance, but I wouldn't want to spend time with her, much less date her. That's OK, because I wouldn't call anything they did dating. Besides cutting down a tree, and arguing, much of their time together was spent with other characters like her mother and/or sister.

This didn't need to be a Christmas movie. It could have easily been Fourth of July given the apple pie ice cream. There were several references to Santa figurines, and this could have led to an interesting subplot, but it didn't happen. They didn't need them. There were no Christmas Carols, snow ball fights or other common traditions.

Despite the leading female character being a thoroughly unpleasant person, I enjoyed this very much. The actors playing the two lead characters were very appealing. I loved the hero. He was very attractive both inside and out. I would love to see more of the actor who played the character. I loved the actress as well. She was very cute and wholesome looking. A true girl next door look. There was good chemistry between the two lovebirds.

The story had good tension and suspense. While it is true that the citified sister was an antagonist in the noble quest to save the family farm, for most of the movie, I was onboard with her sensible move to sell it to a large Dairy Farm concern rather than having the family lose the whole thing to bankruptcy. Emily, the farm sister was unreasonable, sulky, and obstinate in her refusal to see anyone's viewpoint other than her own. Not to mention lying to her mother. I didn't have any sympathy for her at first. She was effectively putting loyalty to her dead father over her Mom's future. Homelessness, here we come. And why didn't she go into crisis mode earlier to formulate a plan to save the farm? It was limping along for years, apparently. Also, I'm not a fan of asking for donations to save a business that was not making it on it's own steam and business plan. It does not bode well for the long term viability of the business. It was just putting off the inevitable. Of course when the sister went completely over to the dark side, by switching her support to the housing development, I really started rooting for Emily. By that time she had finally got a fire lit under her and her schemes were bearing some fruit. After she lost the attitude, she was actually very charming.

I also want to note the actress who played their farm hand. Not conventionally pretty, but I liked that choice. She was excellent. I liked the final solution, it made very good sense. And since I didn't hate the city sister from the get-go, I was OK with her retconned personality change at the end. And the apple-pie ice-cream sounded absolutely delicious.

I.

This was a good movie. Actually different storyline among the rest and I appreciated that. Ryan Cooper made the movie great, I must confess. His rugged good looks & pleasant demeanor were a force to he reckoned with. Katie Leclerc was ok in the movie, but they appeared to lack the "chemistry" one usually sees in these types of movies. I've seen better, I've seen worse, but I'd watch it again. The lady who played the "mean" sister, I didn't care for but she fit the storyline so there's that! 8 out of 10!