The Flight Before Christmas

The writers came up with a different and believable plot, good actors who sell their characters, and a story that unfold with growth by both would-be lovers. Snow usbreal and decoration believable. We'll done.

Two people meet on a flight from LA back East. She has recently been dumped and he is an a long distance relationship. But of course romance ensues.

The dialog is a bit more interesting than the usual Christmas TV movie. There seems to be a subtle message about compatibility of personality over looks. " This is Mayim Bialik's movie. For fans of "Big Bang Theory" where she plays Amy Farrah Fowler - it's a treat to see her. Usually Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movies don't feature lead romantic actresses who look like or are shaped like her. It's nice to see someone like her leading this type of movie. Ryan McPartlin of "Chuck" is a good enough comedic actor to make his role believable.

If you are going to watch one Xmas movie this year this is a good choice.

I watch a lot of these with my wife. We know the formula and this one follows it also.

But, Mayim is not the typical female lead and that's a good thing.

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark. 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. And Lifetime's 'The Flight Before Christmas' did have the sort of premise where the execution could have gone either way.

'The Flight Before Christmas' for me unfortunately was in the latter category, and this is being said with regret. Have been pleasantly surprised by a lot of Christmas films overtime as part of my Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas film completest quest but 'The Flight Before Christmas' was not one of those films. Of the recently seen ones, it's one of the weaker ones. Is it terrible? No it isn't as it does have its good things. Unfortunately it was a flight that potentially could have charmed and soared but in reality sadly in my view never did take off.

Its best aspect is Ryan McPartlin, who is a very likeable male lead and brings a lot of ease and charm to his character. Jo Marie Payton and Reginald VelJohnson are fun in supporting roles, the latter's character is pretty preposterous but he gives his absolute all and makes the performance just about work.

Some of the music is quite pleasant.

However, 'The Flight Before Christmas' has a lot working against it. Mayim Bialik came over as miscast, her performance comes over as wooden and unenthusiastic and she lacks warmth. Also found Stephanie as a character very irritating and her flaws over the top in the first third particularly. There is no chemistry or spark between Bialik and McPartlin, too distant, too stiff and the relationship doesn't really go anywhere. The rest of the supporting cast don't stand out. The direction was mediocre at best and often pretty plodding and not very organised.

Other Lifetime Christmas films look a lot better than 'The Flight Before Christmas', which has a rather drab look and even the locations are quite limited. Some pleasant moments aside, the music could have been used less and been more subtle. The script is heavy in cheese and awkwardness and is also very cloying, while the story tends to be uneventful and is lacking in charm and heart. So pretty dull and bland.

Concluding, very weak and doesn't get off the ground. 3/10.

Terrible over acting and horrendously cheesey. The two main characters have no chemistry whatsoever. Bad casting here. Didn't make it to the end but am sure I could guess girl gets the guy blah blah blah!