A Wish for Christmas

Lacey Chabert has made a niche for herself in the popular Hallmark movies of Christmas. Generally her movies have been above the norm and quite good. Unfortunately this one was not.

A Hallmark Christmas romantic comedy has a narrow range of possibilities and outcomes so four factors make it work or not.

One, is it romantic. Sorry, but not here. The male leads character was a jerk who makes his employees work on Christmas and refusing to see his family on the Holidays even though he was in town. The better romance would have been between him and Lacey's co-worker. Her role should have been expanded as it would have made the movie at least more comedic.

Two, it is funny. No, this one was not generally funny nor really tried to be.

Three, is it supported by good side characters and subplots that make the story enjoyable. This is more true here but still it was below par.

Four, does it have meaning to the Christmas season. While this is kind of true here, it still could have been set in March by finding a leprechaun as easily as it was set in the Christmas season.

All in all, while to be fair there are some good moments, specifically Lacey telling off her supervisor at the Christmas party, and nice elements generally it fails to really be romantic or funny which is not a good combination for a romantic comedy.

But if Lacey Chabert's in it and it's Hallmark I'll usually give it a solid look. Lacey has become the Queen of Hallmark Christmas movies, she's quietly attractive, distinctive, and with a little edge to her. I really liked her last few Hallmark Christmas entries, this one seemed a little forced or something. Lacey is a marketing wiz who won't stand up for herself, at the company Christmas party she gets courage from Santa, and then gets thrown into a challenging marketing pitch with company CEO Greene. I know Greene is also a Hallmark staple (who I hadn't seen before), he was okay but something about this just didn't feel right (as opposed to, say, Once Upon a Holiday where things seemed to effortlessly flow). So I would recommend it to the Hallmark hard core but not necessarily others.

This turned out to be one of the more enjoyable Christmas movies that I got around to watching during the Christmas season of 2017.

Why?

Well, because of the storyline that had elements of a classic Christmas tale laced up with some lighthearted comedy and romance. But also because they had some very nicely talented actors and actresses on the cast list. And the chemistry between Lacey Chabert and Paul Greene was so good.

Sure, like all Christmas movies, then "A Wish For Christmas" was blessed with an overly predictable and generic storyline and plot. But hey, don't they all? I suppose that is part of the Christmas movie charm for some reason.

While this does not have the making of a Christmas classic, it is definitely a Christmas movie worthy of being watched at least once for the holidays with your loved ones.

Sara Thomas (Lacey Chabert) is an awesome team player at marketing firm that is basically a pushover that allows others to take advantage of her good nature. At the company's Christmas party her marketing director promotes her project as his own. Santa offers to grant a Christmas list that would will only last for 48 hours. Sara wished for courage to stand up for herself. This wish takes Sara on a journey with her firm's CEO Peter Williams (Paul Greene) that includes a road trip, confronting an unreasonable client, strained family relations, and so much more.

The chemistry between Sara and Paul is believable and you find yourself cheering for them. Chabert is my favorite HM leading lady, and Williams is also a favorite.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA OR TIES TO FILMS I REVIEW.

It seem like Hallmark has 3 actresses they cast in all their films. "Lacey Chabert" "Candace Cameron-Bure" and "Alicia Witt". I am just waiting one day to see them all in one film together or it least have their Hallmark Movies take place in the same town. Well anyway this is my review of a solid Hallmark film that is one of the better ones I have seen this year.

In this film Lacey plays Sara a sweet young hard working career woman who people take advantage of. Her friend makes her do her work (And pick up coffee for her staff) and her boss just stole her idea and presented it as his own. Now at an office Christmas Sara is given a wish by a secret Santa. Her wish is for that she wants to not be afraid of speaking up for herself. Well guess what her wish comes true and she gets instantly reported after the big boss hears Sara giving her boss the riot act.

The story takes a predictable turn but you will still enjoy the romance. The film works and is highly enjoyable. Please watch it. It is one of the better films made so for that I have seen this year.