Our Christmas Love Song

6/10 - one of the better Alicia Witt Christmas movies, but still filled with a few too many of the classic tropes

After last year's unintentionally hilarious "Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane," in which Alicia Witt overacted during the first hour with bizarre facial and body movements (and a hairstyle that seemed to move on its own), Witt got a new hairstyle, new make-up, and cleaned up her act, giving a really nice and heartfelt performance. The old Alicia Witt is back and she is quite good. She plays a successful singer who is threatened with a lawsuit by her older mentor who is claiming that the singer stole a song. It's an interesting concept for a Hallmark Christmas movie and there are a couple of good subplots as the singer returns home for Christmas in order to find her original composition of the song. The script is uneven - some scenes are written quite well, while others are sophomoric, repetitive, or just plain filler. The cast, however, rises above the material and gives natural and effective performances, particularly Witt, Brendan Hines, and Lori Hallier as the singer's mother. On the whole, a nice story that is worth at least one viewing. Welcome back, Alicia Witt.

Outstanding music and a terrific cast. The banter between Witt & Hines was exactly like a couple with a long standing relationship would talk. They were fun to watch

The music rates a big 10. The secondary cast rates a 10 as a very talented group. The story rates a 10. It was a balance of fun and life's challenges.

My take away stars are due to Alicia Witt's presentation. She is a very accomplished actress, you enjoy watching most of her movies. However, the question must be raised about casting a 44 year old to act like a 24 year old. The story explains an older person, the dialogue doesn't deliver it.

I am very hesitant to say-Ms. Witt takes off 10 pounds, but it doesn't translate to taking away 10 years. Her wardrobe showed a draping neck and didn't define the character she was portraying with her clothing. The hair was lackluster. Hallmark help your cast.

Hallmark should embrace this talented actor with stories that have depth for a woman of her range.

Disappointed in Hallmark not the movie.

Alicia Witt's Christmas Hallmark efforts are variable, as are her performances in them. While the likes of 'A Very Merry Mix Up' and 'Christmas List' were worthwhile watches despite flaws, she was in mediocre misfires such as 'The Mistletoe Inn' and 'Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane' as well. Actually do not think she's too bad an actress despite not being a big fan, but whether she is good in her films is dependent on the role and that's the aspect where the Hallmark films she stars in vary.

Personally think she comes over quite well here and her character is one of her more endearing ones. As far as her Hallmark festive films go, 'Our Christmas Love Song' leans towards the better end in ranking if more high middle. 2019 was not the best of years for Hallmark or their Christmas films, but 'Our Christmas Love Song', despite being heavily flawed, is to me among their above average ones with a good deal to like about it. Not a great film but certainly didn't leave me tearing my hair out.

These good things include Witt, who has not been this charming in a long while. She is expressive and her character is neither too perfect or her flaws too exaggerated. The supporting performances are above average and spirited, even if the characters are fairly sketchy in development and just Hallmark cliches. 'Our Christmas Love Song' looks good, the photography complementing the pleasant scenery very well. The music is some of the best of any Hallmark film in a while, it's catchy and lovely to listen to and if that was Witt performing she has some vocal chops.

Dialogue is not great to begin with, but it does get better throughout the course of the film and there is less cheese and it becomes more natural. The story generally is heart-warming, light-hearted and has a charm.

Even though it also is very predictable, a slow starter and at times silly with an easily telegraphed and too tidy resolution. Brendon Hines doesn't have the same amount of warmth and likeability that Witt has, takes his role too seriously and didn't always seem at ease.

His chemistry with her didn't really gel either, the romance felt both underdeveloped and underused with not an awful lot of growth and was then hurriedly written and together the two seemed under-rehearsed. The dialogue early on really isn't good and is quite stilted.

In summary, not great but above average. 6/10

What is the name of the song sung at the end? "Merry Christmas, I Miss You" doesn't come up in my searches.