Holiday Switch

What Holiday Switch promises it delivers in a surprisingly warm and generous way. This cable movie was shown in 2007 on Christmas Eve and Christmas Night and will be again this year. This story is entirely original, not relying on the prosaic narratives of Christmas past but creates a modern twist in our love of the material world. "Switch" uses a "what if" scenario to get us to identify with the main character in her search for material perfection. The superlative cast of actors conspire to ask emotionally loaded questions we sometime ask ourselves during this time of year: could I have done better? The production carries this off without hyperbole, so often seen in Christmas fare. The story lets the charged moments speak for themselves as one woman struggles her way back to a life she had rejected. At first, we are charmed by illusion, just as she is, but once we identify with her plight we might find an answer to a question we all asked once before on Christmas.

In my quest to watch every Christmas movie ever made, this was randomly next. Made-for-Lifetime television, it really wasn't that great. Woman switches her hectic, worrisome life with another so that she can realize just how great she had it. You don't need millions of dollars, furs, closetful of shoes and dresses, and a Mercedes when you don't have love. La di frickin' da. How many times has this story been done? On the positive -- Nicole Eggert! (Charles In Charge, Baywatch.) I'd watch anything with her! And it was kind of Christmasy compared to many Made-for-TV Christmas movies. Stupid title, should have at least called it Christmas Switch and it's never explained why she got switched. Eh, whatever. Not recommended.

5.2 / 10

--A Kat Pirate Screener

I usually end up viewing this twice a year. Everyone is very good. The Martina character, in particular, has a lovely heart.

Gary: Reg, don't make me come down off this ladder.

Reg: Whoa, big fella...

I quite liked this one. I felt they covered the ground of switching places or making a different choice in your life in a interesting and well done way. The actors all did a good job. I was never bored and I enjoyed this movie. Christmas is more of a plot device than the feeling of Christmas as a whole. Also I like it when movies do not make cliche villains out certain characters. I consider that lazy writing. This movie avoids that.

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime, Hallmark and UPTV. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. 'Holiday Switch' had the sort of premise that had strong potential of being in the former category, with it being quite interesting.

While not exceeding expectations or completely living up to them, 'Holiday Switch' doesn't waste any potential. It is very charming and engages and moves enough, even if the story and pacing are far from flawless what made me see 'Christmas on the Bayou' (primarily the cast) does not disappoint. It is very easy to dismiss outright the film as sentimental, predictable and plot light, understandably, but given a chance without prejudice one may find themselves pleasantly surprised.

'Holiday Switch's' story is very slight and does drag in the sections where the story is fairly uneventful.

The female lead character is not always easy to get behind, with times where she comes over as on the manipulative side. The Christmas theme is underused in my view.

A lot is done right though. T looks attractive enough. The scenery is both rustic and festive and the photography doesn't look rushed or drab, quite beautiful actually. The music doesn't come over as too melodramatic while still having some presence. The direction is suitably sympathetic on the most part while taking a little time to find its feet. The dialogue is not perfect either but the cheese and sentiment don't go overboard and it generally doesn't come over as stilted.

Furthermore, the story, despite its imperfections, is warm hearted and has a lot of well meaning heart, without taking itself too seriously. The characters interest and are worth investing in, not being too perfect or having flaws too exaggerated. The cast are very good and the ending is touching.

In conclusion, nice enough film. 7/10.