Christmas Lost and Found

This is a bit of a different approach for a Christmas story, although a scavenger hunt is not unique. This one is about chasing down family ornaments that Whitney mistakenly put out in the trash. An unknown person rescued them and is leading her about town with clues. I thought I knew who the person was but I was wrong. The story did have some interesting turns.

The cast does a credible job. The leads have the chemistry of old friends who might grow into more. Tiya Sircar is at times charming, but at other times, Whitney is a little whiny.

As in many holiday movies, there are lots of the trappings of Christmas such as baking cookies. Also as in many of these movies, some of the circumstances beg credulity. (Are totally empty window displays for days on end really better than mediocre ones?)

I like Dianne Ladd. she is a great grandmother type in these roles. With a twinkle and some sass. The story was not terribly unique, but it was easy watching and I did not get bored. The sets were good and the two leads did a very good job. They were not bland holiday movie actors. Tiya Sircar has spark and the childhood buddy/neighbor played by Edward Ruttle was quite good. They elevated it. Enjoyable, watchable holiday movie.

Being such a big fan of Christmas and catching 'Christmas Lost and Found' by chance during a quiet period and one of my better ones health-wise, the title was quite catchy. Plus reading up on the premise it sounded like if done right it could be inoffensively charming if not exceptional. Was not expecting a big deal but certainly something at least watchable, would not have been content if it was less than that and some of the Christmas recently seen were less than that.

'Christmas Lost and Found' was luckily one of the watchable at least films. If only just, with there being a fair bit to criticise but also a lot to praise. As far as the recent Hallmark/Lifetime-like Christmas films go, 'Christmas Lost and Found' was neither among the best or worst and instead around solid middle which made me content at least. An unexceptional film but a very likeable one that knew what it wanted to be and didn't try to do any more than that.

Perhaps it was a little safe, it could have done with more conflict so long as it didn't get too dark which would have given it more depth, and if you have seen plenty of Hallmark/Lifetime-like festive films how it all maps out and how it's all going to end is never a surprise. Was constantly guessing what was going to happen and almost all the guesses (apart from the identity of the person doing the helping) were correct which took away a little from the enjoyment a little.

Some of the dialogue could have been more natural, though it did get much better once the film got going. Whitney has her annoying moments early on and there are places where events don't ring true and are reliant on convenience.

The production values are nice though and the soundtrack captures the spirit of the holiday with zest. The script does have moments that are amusing and placed well without being over-the-top, the quiet and sweet chemistry between the leads adds a lot to the film charm and it is charming and heart-warming with a light touch without being too heavy on the schmaltz.

Despite the lack of depth, generally the characters are likeable and the acting is more credible than a lot of Hallmark/Lifetime (or similar) festive films. Diane Ladd is my favourite and gives the film some class and sincerity.

On the whole, above average and pleasant though not much special. 6/10

Tiya Sircar has a lot of charmand is good looking. The rest of supporting star cast also play their part, in this interesting tale of looking for discarded family jewellery.

By "pleasant enough", I mean it was sweet, with references to past family Christmases, had some attractive Christmasy scenes, and the acting was OK, incl. veteran Diane Ladd. But the part I wasn't crazy about was: the whole scavenger hunt premise was unrealistic. Once the ornaments and notes start appearing, Whitney should have been SO happy that SOMEBODY found the ornaments and saved them. Instead, we're supposed to believe all she's interested in is figuring out the riddles of where the next ornament is, and who sent it.