A Cheerful Christmas

As a fan of Hallmark films, i am used to the usual standard of acting. This is like a film pretending to be a Hallmark movie.

The lead female is so annoying you just want her to never speak again but she never shuts up and the acting is poor. The male has a terrible fake accent and can't act very well either. Not sure if he just tried too hard to be a posh English guy rather than concentrating on acting.

The acting is just too bad. It's really horrible!

I don't know why they cast these actors at all. After all normally they are all fine.

Worst one to date.

4/10 - the story was fine, but by God was the main character beyond irritating

Firstly, I can't help but wonder where this story was supposed to be set. (Obviously, it was filmed in Canada.) The Andersons moved from England, and Lauren's dad lives far away in Boston, but what does that mean about the location of the home? (and the frozen canal?) Secondly, Lauren was just too annoying to be likable. Seriously, many Hallmark main characters are pretty enthusiastic about Christmas, but this is different. Knowing even what she already knew about James/the Andersons, did she really have to ask about their preference for white or colored lights? Also, how did someone hire a "Christmas Coach" without making it clear that all they wanted was a decorator? And why does it take Lauren so long to get the hint? At times, she seemed like a broken record, had no common sense or emotional intelligence. This was not one of Hallmark's best.

Worst Hallmark movie I have ever seen! Chad Connell was stiff and unbelievable. Erica Deutschman was worse! They never really connected and her character was beyond annoying. Can't understand why she wasn't fired on the first day of the job! Real World 101: acquisitions companies do not take kindly to terminally perky blonds wandering in and out of offices. She would have been fired when she 'decorated' an office after being told specifically that it was off-limits.

I love Hallmark movies, I love the predictability, the Christmas where all is merry and bright, the Christmas staples we expect from Hallmark snowmen, snowball fights, sledding, baking together, the love of Christmas that shines through the reality of life, the chance to bask in Christmas cheer.

This movie "Cheerful Christmas" aka "Countdown to Christmas" gave us none of that. Sure they made snowmen but it was forced and awkward.

The script was weak, most of the acting was bad, there was nothing endearing or even interesting about this turkey.

The plot involves best friends running a party planning business which is a recurring theme with Hallmark. But sorry, as business owners Lauren and Colleen are unprofessional, childish and totally annoying.

The actors: Lauren, played by actress Erica Deutschman, was nothing but childish and annoying, the girl can't act. Painful to watch her pitiful, awkward attempts to bring her character alive.

James, played by actor Chad Connell was fine, he did a great job, but there was no chemistry and no reason for him to fall for annoying Lauren. He made a valiant attempt to act with Deutschman, but it's hard when an actress gives you nothing to work with. He was the only bright spot in a very bad movie.

Colleen played by actor Tianna Nori, poor girl, she was given a nothing part, Colleen is rarely present, had no character and added nothing to the plot. I really can't rate her performance.

Maybe some of the minor characters did good jobs, but they were so overshadowed by the really terrible performancs by Deutschman that I just can't rate them.

I watched the whole movie thinking that it had to get better. Boy was I mistaken.

I have seen hundreds of Hallmark movies and this is the first time that I have to tell potential viewers, don't waste your time.