The Christmas Yule Blog

When there's no chemistry between the two main characters, it's hard to believe the story. I've watched over ten Christmas movies so far this season and this one was probably my least favorite.

Boring, poor acting, predictable Though the New Mexico traditions were fun to see and learn about

The premise of a blogger or reporter in a small town filled with Christmas spirit is becoming a more common premise. And there's potential job advancement, which is a trope in almost every Christmas movie. There's a local who resembles Santa with a hint that he is more than a look alike. This movie crams in many of the usual tropes. And I do mean crams. (At least they leave out snow related ones.)

The movies has no great highs or lows, surprises or tension (other than the romantic).

In order to facilitate the obligatory initial animosity between the leads, Caroline is the stereotypical arrogant know-it-all city girl. You would think a travel writer would know better. And like all these movies, she quickly sheds that attitude and becomes friendly. The trouble for me was that I had trouble clearing my mind of her attitude. Sara Canning didn't seem natural in her acting.

There is no chemistry between the leads.

No real subplots to keep interest going. A very slight secondary romance, between a pretty girl and a rather plump short chef. It was not a good match even though I like unlikely pairings. It's basically a travelogue exploring the Christmas traditions of a small New Mexican town. The acting was very weak, though Sara Canning was flashes of adequacy. Her love interest, a doleful widower with a young son, looked more like her father. He was very weather-beaten and too thin and had a terrible wardrobe. Like Hollywood's idea of what a Mexican-American man should be dressed like.

The flirty food fight was present and accounted for but thank goodness, the flirty snow ball fight was avoided but only because it was New Mexico. Very annoying Santa Claus imposter added to the overall fail.

I love watching movies in and about my home state, NM, but this was just wrong on so many levels. Making tamales with bell peppers and tomatos? Breakfast is pancakes, not menudo? Not a farolito in sight and the homes all look like CA. And, as others noted, the 2 main characters had zero chemistry. Not a fan.