The Christmas Yule Blog

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

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.

(Final scene, final lines) Caroline: I think I am getting a signal. Oscar: You definitely are. But we (the viewer) definitely are not. Unfortunately, the chemistry between the two leads in this Lifetime Christmas movie is, simply put, bad. I just did not see it/feel it on screen between Sara Canning (as Caroline Williams) and Zak Santiago (as Oscar Ortiz). I have seen Canning in several similar TV romance movies over the years; she is a good actor in such roles. Santiago is a new face on screen for me. His performance was warm but not in line with Canning's (or this genre of film, really). The script too seemed rushed in this regard; there was no real buildup of the romance between the two. The script (and performances) seemed to solely really on the dinner scene (where they get in a food fight). It is like they turned on a switch at that point in the film, which made the dialogue that (immediately) followed (where she explains how close she has gotten to Oscar, e.g.) seem disconnected with what we were seeing on screen, at least with what I was seeing. The supporting cast did not help matters thru-out. For example, the scene at the Christmas tree about 60 minutes in where Betty is asked about her Christmas ornament on the tree; this was quite an awkward exchange. The following scene, where they are all in the living room near the Christmas tree, had a lot of awkward expressions, just some bad acting in that scene. That said, the story is a warm and heartfelt one. The scenery, props, and sets were very festive. I liked the Christmas ponchos, which I have never seen before. I also learned a bit about other Christmas cultures (namely, the lighting of the lights - candles in bags - along the streets), which I enjoyed. Overall, however, this new edition to Lifetime's original Christmas movies was a bit of a letdown.

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.