A Taste of Christmas

'The Christmas Calendar' has a very appetising title. While it was not an innovative one, the concept also sounded promising. Part of me was rather wary though, having seen and heard lots of people disliking the film and for many of my past Christmas film viewings the general consensus has more often than not spot on or close to. Have been known to have some contrarian opinions myself so was preparing myself for being pleasantly surprised.

Only to be met with disappointment. 'The Christmas Calendar' is one of those films that does nothing with any of the promise it had and is a very weak and under-baked film overall, despite having a few good things in the mix. While there are worse Christmas films and worse films out there, there are so many flaws here in 'The Christmas Calendar'. All big and the worst of the flaws are quite terribly executed. Of all the recently viewed Christmas films, this is one of the worst.

As said, 'The Christmas Calendar' has a few good things. It looks good, the scenery is attractive enough and well complemented by the photography. Some of the soundtrack is pleasantly nostalgic.

Laura Bell Bundy is the best thing about the film though. She has a very lively presence and is very charming.

Sadly that can't be said for the rest of the cast, the supporting cast all overact in very colourless roles and Brendan Zub is too stiff and intense as the male lead. Much has been said about his accent and understandably, it is distractingly awful and gives him too much of a creepy vibe. His chemistry with Bundy is barely existent and any signs of it has no spark and doesn't look comfortable. The relationship is severely under-cooked and doesn't develop. None of the characters are well developed and their negative character traits are overdone, only Emily is halfway rootable.

Furthermore, the script is not too brilliant either. Too half-baked and veers on sugary as well as bland. It often sounds awkward as well. The story lacks charm, heart and any conflict, is paper thin and never gets into gear. Everything is obvious from the get go and there are too many less than realistic contrivances in a film that plays it too safe, yet another film as well to finish on a prematurely obvious and too tidy note.

Overall, weak. 3/10

French accent baker girl gives lead woman her Christmas pres 2 weeks before Christmas? so tired of the same one dimensional frigid lead female. People tend to be nice with a dark side or vice versa. And showing one dimensional characters in movies really kills credibility. Competition worker drops bread on floor and puts back on shelf? wtf? One minute the 2 are still quarelling and after commercial break they're giggling and making truffles and feeding each other chocolate at his house? I think a chunk is missing. 17 min mark shes' opening door for customers and she flips sign over twice. last night of calendar she opens note at 4pm when it was lunch time all week. the accent is so unbelievably horrid, like a car accident on the road you cant help watch. The reason I torture myself on tihs is because I cook for a living and feel compelled to watch cook/bake themed movies, if nothing else but to see how unreal they are. Zero baking in this movie, no aprons, no mess, no prep. Just 2 girls standing at a counter chatting all day....really fake story. In addition to all those holes, the movie lacked depth in character development with any other actors. A good movie has focus on main characters but also on side ones. Zero stars if I could.

Like the other reviewer, I have the same opinion. It had the potential to be really good but I couldn't get over the fact the guy had a completely made up French accent. There really was no need for it. He actually seemed like a sinister character instead of the love interest because his accent was so obviously fake.

Given the genre, the movie was sorta/ kinda entertaining.

Sure, I think he *can* probably act, but though he tries and occasionally succeeds: (I'm generous that way), poor Brendon Zub doesn't sound remotely French. As other reviewers have noted that 'orrible accent meant that I spent much time Googling, trying to see if he was possibly French-Canadian, and I was wrong & being picky - which detracted from giving full attention to the storyline.

Please, Hallmark - you must be able to get actors who genuinely have French as their first language? I have nothing against Brendon Zub - PLEASE cast him again. But y'all went wrong here!

I always like Laura Bell Bundy she is kind of weak in acting lead and why does Brendan Zub have to be French.

Good movie but needs stronger leads.

More Christmas details on advent calendar.

Love Greg Rogers and supporting cast.