Christmas in the City

Television films are by the number. This is a "GREAT EXAMPLE" of a that. This doesn't mean this is a bad movie its just nothing special.

In this movie a young woman (Wendy) leaves her small town with her daughter to earn money to save her fathers business. She gets a job a department store and she falls in love with the stores owner.

Things get messy when another woman (Teanna) sees Wendy a threat. The actress Ashley Williams smiles in every scene. I fully understand why she took that approach. The reality is that "Wendy" is a nice woman. She is kind and supports her friends. Teanna however never smiles and she is only out for herself.

The climax of the film however needed more work. There is a scene where they "Make-over" the store. I think the whole film would have worked better if they showed more decorations and customers reaction to them. What we get is "Okay" and gets the point across but the film needed a bigger "WOW" then what was presented. Don't get me wrong the scene still works but it should have been better!

Family safe but don't expect too much. It is worth watching!

This film is cute. In this film Wendy Carroll is a young mother. Wendy is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Its "Great Recession" time and her family business is failing. She refuses to watch it die. Her father started the business and has passed on. She along with her mother are trying to keep it afloat. With foreclosure looming she decides to take a chance.

So Wendy & her daughter move to the city. Wendy moves in with her long time friend Angie. Angie then helps Wendy get a job a job at a department store.

Unknown to Angie the store is in trouble as well. The stores board of directors have brought in Teanna. Teeanna is a win at all cost person. She however goes on warpath against Wendy when she sees that Tom (The Stores Owner) is falling for Wendy. Teeanna not only wants to be with Tom but she also trying to take over the store.

Now this is a film for the family but "Men will hate this". Most teen's will hate this.

The film is for people that like Christmas movies. If you are a person who loves "Family Traditions" then this movie is for you

Ashley Williams is adorable, BUT that constant huge smile throughout the entire movie was distracting and it took away from the sincerity of the production. I feel that it really watered down the show. It's wonderful to seem happy in a Christmas movie as long as it doesn't come across as cheesy and I believe that it crossed that line.Unfortunately, this movie had a few cheesy scenes. Also, some of the other main characters (and background actors)were very weak and also unbelievable, especially Ashanti. The little girl who plays the daughter was more convincing than the rest of the cast. Overall, I was disappointed because I had such high hopes after seeing the previews and I feel that everyone could have done a better job telling this story. Sorry.

The good news is that I've seen much worse...

Although there were a few cringe moments overall thought it was pretty good for a Christmas chick flick.;) The main girl is hard not to like to act and it definitely was Christmas spirit plus some nice performances from side characters. It might not be entirely family friendly and a little bit predictable but is perfect if want to chill and relax while watching something feel good and Christmasy. Would say is worth at least 7 stars...

Someone else here said you will love this or hate this and I tend to agree with that statement. "Christmas in the City" is not meant to be groundbreaking art. What it is meant to do is to entertain an audience and it does. Maybe a little more effort could have been made in ways of the screenplay and that the final reveal of the department store with its Christmas display could of used a bigger wow factor would of helped the overall experience.

This film is all about love. Love you have with your family traditions and fearing of losing them. Not a perfect film but it is made with joy and the lead has a smile that becomes a star in its own right. I saw this on NETFLIX streaming.

Available now