Christmas Unwrapped

It was fine. The storyline was a little better than most Christmas movies.

It's an interesting story line so it wasn't hard to watch, but there is no chemistry between the leads. The female lead's character is a reporter that's supposed to be cynical about the male lead's claim to be Santa's helper, but it plays more like she has ill intent. She seems to have a wish to destroy something known for helping so many people, as if it were a noble endeavor. She eventually becomes a believer, but due to the lack of chemistry between the two, the inevitable romance in the end is emotionless and falls flat.

A bit of a disclaimer: I have been challenged to watch all of Hallmark and Lifetime's original Christmas movies this year. So, I am questioning my mental state at this point ;-). Any hoot, this is my 17th one this season (2nd Lifetime movie); it is somewhere in the middle of the pack (latter half). As another reviewer on here stated, the movie is 'okish'. The plot/storyline was quite predictable and unoriginal, as there have been several Hallmark (and other) movies with similar plots over the years. The Christmas Ring, for example, comes to mind; it's one of Hallmark's originals this year (it's not very good). The story in such films, in a nutshell, goes like this: i) journalist meets source; ii) they start falling in love; iii) journalist starts questioning her (it is usually a female journalist) motives for writing the story; iv) journalist decides not to write it; v) editor (aka her boss) publishes it anyway; vi) source finds out and breaks things off; vii) (in some versions) journalist rewrites and publishes a new version that spins the source in a positive light; viii) source and journalist make up and fall in love; ix) the end. The acting, overall, was decent. I am familiar with Amber Stevens West as I watched her on the screen in the TV series GREEK. She had a pretty good performance here. I am not as familiar with Marco Grazzini. His performance was pretty good too, though he did have some awkward acting movements in a couple of scenes (e.g., when he confronted Charity about the article that was published). As another reviewer here pointed out, the chemistry between the two was a bit lacking, not ideal for a romance film. The supporting cast was strong; I did think Cherion Drakes (as Tisha) had a good performance...Morgan Kelly (as Aaron), on the other hand, not so good. The movie does instill some Christmas spirit and cheer. Fans of Lifetime and Hallmark will no doubt enjoy the movie.

2020 was very variable though not too bad when it came to Lifetime's Christmas films, and there was definitely the sense that the films were made in a rush with not a lot of preparation time. Yet enough of them were far from amateur-hour efforts and were still watchable all things considered. Lifetime just have done a lot better in some previous years, although their festive output is very hit and miss it should not be dismissed outright as enough have left me pleasantly surprised.

'Christmas Unwrapped' was though more or less what was expected, which was a watchable enough film with good moments and better than expected acting. But also one that is nothing extraordinary and does nothing new with pretty familiar plot tropes. Lifetime did a lot better than 'Christmas Unwrapped', but also worse than what is a somewhat middling effort for them. Considering the difficult circumstances though, it did make do perhaps.

Am going to start with the good. Amber Stevens West does a good job as Charity, despite not always being crazy about how the character was written, and attacks the role with charm and enthusiasm. Marco Grazzini has enough moments where he is quite amiable. The supporting cast did very well, particularly Cherion Drakes.

The film also at least looks professional, with lovely scenery in particular. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't feel overused, also it has a festive sound to it. Too often not the case with Lifetime.

However, too much is not successful. Didn't detect much chemistry between West and Grazzini, which seemed disconnected and awkward. Especially later on. It also would have helped if Charity's naivety and cynicism wasn't too exaggerated in the writing, if the romance was developed more and if Grazzini didn't look so embarrassed and wooden in the very forced conflict when he learns the truth.

Generally, 'Christmas Unwrapped's' story never properly grabbed me, as well as being very predictable it is very thin on the ground and drags a lot from too much stretched padding and an uncertain feel most of the time. There isn't enough of an emotional core or charm which made the film come over as bland and lacking in substance too. The direction is competent in some parts but is disorganised and hesitant in others.

Did find the script bland and stilted. The characters could have done with more development and some of the character writing could have been toned down. The ending is too neat, especially considering what the conflict was over.

In conclusion, pretty average but not unwatchable. 5/10.

I really like the concept of caring for our fellow humans in this film and the fact that the ending is left open so that you can still believe that there might be some magic involved.

The lead male is very cute, which always helps me to appreciate these films and the lead female is nice enough too.

It's full of lovely, festive and cheery things and actually they do squeeze a lot of Christmas in.

It is your usual girl meets boy story and the same formula as all the rest of these Hallmark films, but it is endearing and has a charm all of its own.

6ish?/10.