Christmas in Washington

Great adult - mature dialogue! Underlying theme is integrity, something most of Washington Lacks! The two main leads have excellent chemistry. One of my top 10 favorites for Christmas season 2021.

Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. The idea for 'Christmas in Washington' did sound predictable and not particularly interesting, but still watched for completest sake and Damon Runyan.

'Christmas in Washington' didn't really do very much for me. Some things are good, but there is also too much bad in too many crucial areas for me to recommend it. As far as Christmas films go, there are certainly far worse out there that fare even worse in the acting and storytelling stakes. There are also a lot better, that have a lot more charm and spark. There have actually been some good Christmas films out there seen in the past four years, so me disliking 'Christmas in Washington' is not being said with bias.

Some of the acting is better than average. The best performance comes from easy going and charming in an understated way Runyan, and Natalie Lisinska brings a lot of charm and honesty to her role. They do have a nice subtle chemistry together, though the romance itself could have had more development. Of the supporting cast, who actually didn't impress me really, Tessa Kozma comes off best by far (the only one that did much for me), cute while also being mature.

Production values are quite nice to look at, particularly the scenery. The ending is quite sweet.

The supporting cast however didn't work for me other than Kozma. A vast majority of them are very flat and lacking in personality, but there is also John Cleland whose tough guy act never convinces and comes over as affected and outrageous overacting from Steffi DiDominicantonio (managing to make an already irritating character intolerable). Only Runyan's, Lisinska's and Kozma's characters are likeable or interesting.

Furthermore, the writing is too often stilted and forced especially in the very slow going beginning. The story is predictable throughout, has too many subplots that are never delved into enough and drags in the first act, which starts with a very amateurishly directed and written scene that is worse than any scene from local amateur drama productions. The film is very bland, taking itself too seriously to be light hearted and the lack of interesting characters and underwritten storytelling stops it from having any charm or heart. The music is forgettable at best and could have been toned down and the direction is never above routine level.

Overall, a few good performances aside rather lacklustre. 4/10.

This was a twist on the typical royal vs. Commoner romance theme, but this time it was an ambassador and decorator. Regardless, I thought that both lead actors put in solid enjoyable performances. I appreciated the fact that their relationship developed through real dialogue between them and that he supported and valued her work and goals. I.

I'm giving this a 4 to give it the benefit of the doubt because I could only sit through about 10 minutes of this. Maybe I'm burnt out on Christmas movies this year, but the acting of the woman who played the ambassador's assistant was cringeworthy. The whole first scene at the embassy seemed more like a bad dress rehearsal. Damon Runyon is normally one of my favorites, but even his acting seemed awkward and stilted. Since he's normally pretty good, I have to blame the director. I know these Lifetime movies are lower budget and they probably don't have time for a lot of takes, but your first scenes are what draw the viewer in. This one's early scenes had me flipping the channel.

Broadcast under the title: "A Match Made in Mistletoe", this movie is watchable, though far from shining. Let me begin with stating that I have liked Natalie Lisinska since she appeared in "Fairfield Road", over ten years ago. She, perhaps Damon Runyan and, especially, the girl, Tessa Kozma, are the only ones who get a passing grade, in my book. The story, not very original, could have been cute, but is rendered with plenty of stereotypes and lack of balance. The idea that the ambassador wants to stage a Christmas gala with no decorations, at all, starts the show with absurdity. That he turns around in a jiffy, speaks as an omen of poor mental stability. Arvid, his trusted advisor, constantly behaves like an over-the-top, hysterical grouch. To explain why he immediately attracts the morbid attention of Amanda, one has to accept she is a rabid nymphomaniac, as she acts out, and he is the only character of right age in the production. A convincing drama would have a villain with a little finesse. Big Dan, instead, looks and acts like a truculent, uncouth bouncer. Money or no money, why one would even conceive to associate with such jerk, it is beyond comprehension. Vera pops here and there, with a forced smile and over-emphatic gestures. Wonder if she is she on drugs or simply a bad actress. Even Emily's gala gown, elegant on front, sports a silly tail with lace that makes it look awkward. Different is, sometimes, good. In this instance, it is whimsically idiotic. In summary, if the production had been cared by somebody with a psychological depth above childhood, the film would have been a lot better. Lifetime cannot just get it right.