User reviews

Similar to last year's 'Five Star Christmas' and 'The Christmas House', 'An Unexpected Christmas' has a natural and witty feel to it, making it one of Hallmark's most entertaining Christmas movies this season. Our two protagonists in this story are Emily (played by Bethany Joy Lenz), a successful ad agency executive sent to her ex's hometown before Christmas, and Jamie (played by Tyler Hynes), the ex-boyfriend in question, a man who feels stalled in his career but who is spending this Christmas with his energetic, and sometimes chaotic, loving family. After an ill-timed run-in with Emily at the train station while picking up his sister, his family mistakenly thinks the two are still a couple. Jamie then convinces Emily, with an 'I'll help you, you help me' arrangement, to pretend they are still a couple to avoid ruining Christmas for his family. Thus, our story begins as we watch these two engage in a week-long deception, participating in the family's holiday traditions and activities together. Pretty soon it becomes clear that the pair are doing more than pretending. The writers do a great job of combining several popular plot devices and themes to advance the narrative of the story: deception (here, it's a pretend relationship), the 'stuck together during the holidays' device, and the classic 'a second chance at love' theme. These are done in a way that I found deeply satisfying. The script too is witty and the writing is heartfelt and compelling. This is displayed thru some engaging dialogue and banter between Jamie and Emily. Indeed, the characters, especially the dynamics between the two, feel genuine. They come off as two people who could have really been together but are now working through their post-breakup awkwardness and feelings. The acting, along with some good direction (by Michael Robison), is what makes this all work on-screen of course. Lenz and Hynes were brilliant. They had fantastic chemistry from start to finish, which pulled me in, engrossed me. They look and feel incredibly comfortable together on-screen, which is an appealing aspect of their performances. Lenz, in particular, is brilliant in this one. She did a wonderful job of portraying Emily's tenderness and vulnerability, and the longing she has for a place in, and the closeness of a loving family. I found it easy to connect and engage with her performance. This, combined with some funny and entertaining back and forth with Hynes, make for some very entertaining viewing. Hynes too did a great job of portraying Jamie's vulnerable side, which was quite convincing on-screen. The supporting cast was fun to watch as well. The big family vibe was front and center in this one, adding to the warm and festive atmosphere of the film. All in all, 'An Unexpected Christmas' is a fun, warm, and heartfelt Christmas movie. It's one of Hallmark's best this year. Highly recommend.

Love the writing in this one. Witty and smart comedy in the fake couple genre. When you know where the story is going (which is a big reason we watch Hallmark) it's nice to have some unexpected laughs and set ups along the way.

I really enjoyed this one. When compared to other Hallmark/Lifetime movies - it's one of the better ones. The performances are all strong and the leads are fabulous! Great pace and fun storyline too. Highly recommend.

Hallmark films can be a miss or a hit and this one is a rare hit. The chemistry between the leads was great and the films plot was fun. It's been done before but this version was fun.

Tyler Hynes Bethany Joy Lenz are both good actors and they have a great chemistry together; both of them seem so natural that we forget that they are playing a role. They also seem like they're close: they're what makes the movie enjoyable.

I will watch anything with Tyler Hynes in it but wasn't sure about how he would pull this one off -- in the previews, it's clearly shown that he's the one who is messing up and messing up even further by lying to his family. But Tyler is so much fun that he's even enjoyable when he's pouting, which he does a bit. There's a costume event gone awry, Bethany Joy Lenz spilling the beans to a horrified waiter, and a sister and other family who bring the Christmas cheer. Paul Campbell's writing reminds me of the best of the old ensemble romantic comedies -- I like him as an actor a lot but as a writer he's one of the best Hallmark is showcasing right now. One point off for making Paul McGillion old enough to be Tyler Hynes' dad -- especially since it wasn't so long ago that he was a romantic lead. Also, it's driving me crazy trying to figure out who plays the mom, and I can't find it in the cast list.

Jamie and Emily have broken up their long term relationship. Jamie has headed home for Christmas in small town Fulton, Illinois. Coincidentally, Emily is also heading there for work. They arrive at the terminal at the same time and Jamie's family, who love Emily and haven't been told of the break-up, are thrilled that Jamie has brought Emily home to spend Christmas. Emily needs a place to stay and Neither want to ruin the family's Christmas so they continue the deception that they are still together.

There were some good things and not so good things with this one.

The Good: Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hynes performances and their chemistry together. Bethany was very funny in the comedy parts, and very touching in the emotional parts. Tyler Hynes performance made an essentially weak and troubling character tolerable.

The script had some unusual aspects and was witty. The banter between Jamie and Emily was good.

Emily's wardrobe. Bethany Joy Lenz's characters always seem to have fun and fashionable outfits.

Tyler's new hairstyle.

The cameo walk-through blink and you might miss it of Bethany's frequent co-star, Andrew Walker.

I like the scope big families provide in Hallmarks and this one had one.

The Bad: That big family? They were soooooooo energetic, loud, and overbearing that it became annoying.

Jamie's character. He dumped Emily because she was more successful than him and he didn't want to hold her back. OK. But his self-esteem problem was rooted in his need to be perfect in everything and vice versa. Even though we are told that his Grandfather also was a perfectionist, He grew up in a happy. Stable. And supportive family. This debilitating complex did not seem to be founded on much. It also causes him to be afraid of being honest with his family about his break-up and why. BTW he never does get the backbone to be forthright about it. Forgot to mention the very serious lying to his boss about the nonexistent speech and to Bethany about the Governor.

His struggles with writing the governor's speech. He was unable to write a word. His paralysis (again, it had to be perfect) was like a big depressing specter over the whole movie.

The plot was all over the place. The Christmas play his sister directed was needless and was a distraction. Bethany's project came to nothing. The the lightening-bolt like lesson of the newly-weds' rocks in the fountain was not used in the governor's speech, or Emily's theme for her project (what it was-I am unclear) the speech itself was short and lame. All that angst over THAT?

Some of the happenings were too silly. The Christmas play and the scene in the restaurant with the waiter. I don't mind silly sometimes, but silliness is not comedy.

A lot of negatives were outweighed by the acting and appeal of the two leads, and strong production values. I did not approve of Jamie's actions or inactions, but it did lend some depth and complexity to his character. I'm just not sure I want all those problems in a Hallmark hero.

I enjoyed this movie very much. It's hard to find a Hallmark movie that is a little different. I enjoy watching both Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hynes in anything they do. This movie is about a couple who have broken up and end up in his hometown together due to each of their jobs. His family does not know they have broken up so to keep his family happy, they pretend they are together. He ends up helping her with her assignment and she helps him with his. The reason this movie is different is it's more realistic. It is funny. I can see actor/writer Paul Campbell's hand in that. Please check out this movie on the Hallmark channel.

'An Unexpected Christmas' was one of the films of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas block to have the biggest potential. Did like the premise, which was not as formulaic as most of the others and it was an appealing one. It had Bethany Joy Lenz, one of my favourite Hallmark actresses and one of the most consistent in performances and filmography, and Tyler Hynes, also always worth watching even in the misses, in the lead roles. It also had Paul Campbell as script writer.

There were to me a lot of good things about 'An Unexpected Christmas', and luckily the best things were the aspects the film was most seen for and are excellent. It did though have potential, considering what it had going for it, to be one of the best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films and one of their best that year even, but somehow didn't quite make it. Instead, 'An Unexpected Christmas' is somewhere around high middle, its potential for greatness stopped by a couple too many frustrations.

Beginning with the good, there were no issues to be found with Lenz and Hynes who give two of the Christmas block's best performances. Lenz has a very strong, spirited and likeable character and plays her with sparkling comic timing (without going over the top), charm and nuance. Hynes has the more difficult character to play, especially in the latter stages when he became really frustrating (or at least his behaviour did), but he plays him still very well, his usual easy going charm and subtle charisma still evident enough. The two sizzle in their chemistry, in one of the best and most interesting chemistries of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films. Andrew Walker's cameo was nice.

Personally really liked the script on the whole, there was more comedy than is usually seen with Hallmark and it was full of wit and was genuinely funny. Easily the funniest 2021 Hallmark Christmas film. It does manage to balance that with some genuinely heart-warming and heartfelt moments too later on, and contrary to what some have said the diversity was more than welcome and wasn't too in your face or shoehorned. It was great to see Hallmark over the past couple of years address what they were sometimes criticised for in previous years. Enough of the story is charming, light hearted and engaging. It is slickly and attractively made and the music doesn't intrude or feel too much.

Do however agree with the criticisms that 'An Unepected Christmas' has gotten. Did feel that the supporting characters were over-acted and over-zealous in the early stages of the film and there could have been more development to the supporting characters generally. Also echo the criticisms of Jamie's indecisiveness being taken too far to wild extremes, can understand that he was anxious and insecure (being someone who is both those things myself and to disproportionate degrees too) but the way the other characters are treated as a result felt overdone.

It also made the ending very hard to swallow, the ending was far too convenient and for such a strong and intelligent woman it really downsized her character and made her too naive. Also felt that it came over as tacked on when the film could easily have ended before the final decision was made which would have had a more realistic outcome.

Concluding, a lot of good but could have been better. 6/10.

Too crazy & chaotic, would have run from any of the bunch! Love Bethany Joy Lenz, she's great in most everything! Tyler Hynes is usually steady, with a nice sense of humor. Don't think anyone had great material to work with here! Too bad.. a waste of talent!

Loved seeing Andrew Walker stroll through the background restaurant scene, that so made me laugh. Lenz & Walker have made several movies together, which are some of my very favorites!

Unexpected because it was smart and funny! Bethany and Tyler are 2 of my favorite Hallmark stars, but what makes this even more special is the witty script and casual yet earnest performances! The chemistry is so sweet! Bethany, Tyler and Allison are wonderful and funny in this Hallmark Christmas movie! And the kiss, actually felt real and leaves you feeling like they were really in love! Best Hallmark kiss yet!

The chemistry between Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hynes is great. The characters are clearly in love. Lenz is great as an energetic Emily who has a big hole in her heart the size of Jamie. Jamie loves Emily, but is internally confused and that results in some poor decisions even going into the backstory.

The movie is fun and mostly upbeat. Family love saturates the story. And the story is unique in some ways, although at its roots, it is basically old-flames-work-together-to-make-a-Christmas-festival.

Jamie is a speech writer for the governor of Illinois. If the governor really ran her staff the way this one runs, it's no wonder all our governments are messed up. I've said many times that you can't expect much reality from these movies, but this one pushes that sentiment way too far. In fairness, I think the movie is meant to be silly for comedic effect and sometimes it is funny.

I don't often take time from my day to write reviews - but had to pause and shout this movie out. What a pleasure!

The witty script, the comedic timing, the production value, and best of all chemistry between the two main actors was A+, superb, and possibly the best I've seen across all Hallmark movies and any competing channels (including Netflix and Lifetime).

Overall the movie follows the same Christmas formula - but felt incredibly new and refreshing.

Bethany Joy Lenz is in a league of her own. She elevates and breathes new life into every Hallmark movie I've seen her in. And she's definitely met her match with Tyler Hynes. I would love to see those two paired up again for a sequel or another movie. I would watch this 10 more times this year and it's now part of my annual Christmas movie rotation. Wonderful!

This is a Hallmark holiday second chance romance. Jamie has neglected to tell his family that he and his girlfriend Emily have broken up...so when work has her at his hometown train station when his family is picking him up...they just assume that she is there with him for Christmas. Then Emily's job goes south when her spokesperson Jackie Joyner Kersey bails because of a storm...and she strikes a deal with her ex to play along as long as he can get her the governor for her ad campaign.

The grandfather, who was mr. Christmas, has recently passed away which was the real reason Jamie didn't want to tell his family...and the reason he broke up with Emily, her career was going up and his was going down and he didn't want to hold her back.

"Every stone tells the forging of two stories"-Jamie.

"Too many houses and never really a home."-Emily.

"We love you just the way you are."-Grandma.

Jamie's homosexual sister, Becca, has a sad story in that her partner left her after they adopted a son...so she lives with her parents. But Becca and Jamie are so supportive of one another it was really sweet. Their she-shed time is what makes this movie worth seeing.

The Christmas play disaster was hilarious and something I haven't seen.

"I'm really tired of feeling like a yo-yo."-Emily.

First of all, I love (Bethany) Joy Lenz so much - every mannerism, side-eye, or facial expression that shows a little of her personality warms my heart and makes me smile. Also, look out for the Andrew Walker cameo! I think I've seen Lynda Boyd in three Christmas movies already this year! Lastly, let's just say: giving up her vacation to go back to her ex's hometown just for a potential consideration for a promotion is so ridiculous. But, at least this movie has a sibling who is not completely clueless. I enjoyed watching these characters more than usual.

Tyler Hynes and Bethany Joy Lenz have undeniable chemistry and play off one another beautifully. There are laugh out loud moments, as well as more subtle, nuanced moments. Leading man Hynes plays against type and embraces the insecurities of his character who breaks off his relationship with Lenz for fear he isn't good enough for her - not because he is envious of her career success. In reading some of these reviews, some seemed to have overlooked that key difference. Paul Campbell is the Hallmark actor who wrote this script and I can't wait to see what he writes next. I hope more Hallmark movies make use of this talented director and cast. Highly recommend this movie.

Yes I know it's Hallmark but I also know they are capable of putting out some really awesome Christmas movies like "Five More Minutes"... In this particular movie, I found the mom & dad to be so goofy and annoying, it made it hard for me to truly enjoy the movie. I always love TH & BJL but in my opinion, they didn't click. Sadly, this is one I would not rate as a favorite. Sorry Hallmark, just didn't enjoy all the goofiness and hyper activity- very silly.

Liked the interaction between Bethany Joy Lentz (Emily) and Tyler Hynes (Jaime). Alison Wandzura plays Jamie's sister Becca and there is good banter between the two siblings. The story has been done before. Emily and Jamie, a previously broken up couple (unbeknownst to the family) find themselves pretending to be together for Jamie's family during a Christmas visit. Becca is also involved with a children's Christmas play. One reviewer wondered about the unicorn in the play, but that ties in with the hanging rainbow and that Becca is lesbian. Hallmark is including more LGBTQ characters in their movies, another being When a Bell Rings. In the future, I'll probably just bypass the new movies and stick with the older ones.

There is good chemistry and both the leads are pretty darn good for the rom com/Hallmark Christmas genre. There are some classic cheesy Hallmark moments (i.e the Christmas play). But the actors actually make the storyline somewhat believable. I don't like the theme that successful women have to dial back their careers to be with their man. Why can't the man step up and say I'm being stupid and need to support you. Overall, definitely one of the better Hallmark Christmas movies.

It's not a good movie, I'm just gonna say that flat, but at the same time it is a hallmark Christmas movie so what do you expect. The movie is entertaining enough and something to put on when your bored, it's charming and has a few jokes here and there that do land. The characters are about as bland as wheat crackers, and the acting is very lack luster, the story is okay but could've used some better writing. All in all not the worst movie ever made and is honestly better than most of the other hallmark Christmas movies so if your ever bored looking for a stupid movie to put on; give it a watch, you never know what you may find.

Bethany Joy Lenz is my favorite Hallmark actress, (many others are mostly intolerable anymore and used in way too many movies), but I don't understand how she chose this script. She was completely wasted in this inane, no-plot movie. It didn't convey a very good message to young women either. The male lead was weak, insecure and self-centered. She should've run at first chance as he certainly didn't deserve her. Ridiculous, and made me angry.

I like Tyler Hines, and I like Joy Lenz, but I'm not sure I like them together.

It's not that this movie was bad. It wasn't. It just seemed a little off.

It had a little bit of a screwball comedy element to it. Hines and Lenz are both capable of knocking this out of the park. But they didn't.

The story was fine, supporting cast all good.

It was...just ok.