Undercover Holiday

I like Christmas movies. I just want fun entertainment. I LOVED the portrayal of traditional Hispanic holiday making. The Spanglish, dancing, and dual language songs were great.

Now the singing, however. Most music was fine, but when Jaylen and Abuela were at the piano, wow. Incredibly bad. Better editing would have helped. Wardrobe should have dressed Jaylen for her shape. Some of their choices were not flattering.

And the "soldier" turned private security. #1 if he was in the Navy he was NOT a soldier. #2 if the character had been an actual Navy Seal, he would not have had to mention it so much.

Nothing against either lead, she was very bubbly and fun, and I've seen him in other shows where his character appears to be a better fit. But as far as chemistry, I didn't get it. Didn't see it, either. When they are walking own a sidewalk discussing are we/aren't we, she is holding his flaccid arm. He was not participating, not at all.

The whole Fake Boyfriend trope has been done, and done much better before.

There were things I like about this movie, and a few cute scenes, but it seems like they have to do one of these "fake mystery boyfriend" movies every year now. We've seen a ton of them of them, and a few of them have been really fun. Those few came years ago when the concept hadn't been run into the ground.

This one had nothing new to offer for that trope, and certainly wasn't as imaginative as some. Our favorite is "A Boyfriend for Christmas", and that one was ALL THE WAY BACK from 2004 ... so you can see how old and tired that standard plot has become.

Not to judge, but this also seems to be the year of the overweight female romantic lead. I'm not against overweight people. I've got PLENTY of overweight friends, my wife could stand to lose a few pounds, and I just lost 30 pounds myself in the last year and a half. This lead actress needs to do what I did and lose 30 pounds herself. These romances are all a fantasy, and somehow that loses the fantasy. LOL.

I normally like Stephen Huszar on Hallmark. NOT THIS ONE. He is totally miscast. Noemi Gonzalez is unbelievable in this role. No chemistry at all. I am sitting here struggling to get through the movie. There was just a scene where she's sitting at the piano with her grandmother - and she's singing. Totally flat and unpleasant to listen to. She's pleasant enough to watch - and I am sure paired with the correct male lead - she'd be much better.

The supporting cast is just OK. Her "sister-in-law" is about to give birth - but just stands there rubbing her belly and smiling. Clue for the writers/director - most pregnant woman don't stand there rubbing their swollen bellies CONSTANTLY.

Overall - this movie was not good at all.

Before I decided to make any comments, I decided to read a number of reviews. Boy are you guys harsh! I had a completely different take.

First you have to realize that this is a Hallmark movie. Masterpiece theater it is not. They are the most formulaic movies on earth. You can take any male female duo in the Hallmark stable and plug them into the plot.

I had never heard of Noemi Gonzales before. I've seen the male actor a few times before. So here is where I differ from almost all of you.

I thought there was chemistry between the two leads. I particularly like Noemi. I thought she acted well and had a great smile.

I am ancient and a widower. My wife and I had a 5 decade relationship before a heart attack took her. Many Hallmark movies remind me of our own relationship, so I watch them and remember the joy we had.

That being said, I will say that the quality of Hallmark movies in my opinion has decreased markedly over the years. I have subscribed to the channel for several years since my wife died and find them less and less appealing.

This movie was not one of them. I enjoyed the ethnic component of the movie as well as the interplay between the two main actors.

I will say that I hope Hallmark brings Noemi Gonzales on for more movies. She is Mexican American, my wife was Sicilian. I enjoy contrasting cultures. I thought she was fun to watch.

Mexican American family with Puertorican/ Caribbean accents lol! Do they have to explain in detail every single "tradition" to the white man? As if Mexican Americans are new to the country. Hallmark do better. Everything seems forced/fake, how about base a movie in a real Mexican American neighborhood? As a Mexican American myself this movie looks 100% foreign to me. Just because you throw words like "tamalada, nacimiento, cumbia, etc" it doesn't make it relatable to us. Tamaladas are not a Mexican tradition! Are you kidding me? Is this family the only Mexican American in this town? Stereotypes are also rampant in this movie, everyone lives in a household. Seriously do better.