Christmas List

This is a cute movie, although it fails to hold attention in my case. While I love Alicia Witt's roles for the most part, this one seems to be over-acted. Her expressions and voice are really amusing, but not captivating compared to other Hallmark movies she and others have done. (See: Lacey Chabert for perfection in acting each role.) She plays Isobel, a young woman who struggles with an overbearing mother who tried to keep Christmas as neat and tidy as possible; I understand having a mom who cares about these things, so I found that relatable, but not to this level. So point #1: Mom is a handful, and responsible for plaguing her daughter with obsessive limitations. To the viewer, you do get a slight desire to punch the mom...in theory, of course! :-) The romance-triangle is interesting; her boyfriend is insufferably obsessed with work, and the rest is Hallmark history: workaholic, but "safe" and overall decent.

Point #2: I admired Isobel's desire to keep her commitments to him, even though he was disturbingly rude to her and her interests.

Point #3: the new man is very natural in his role with her, and they have a fun vibe/chemistry. He is also incredibly respectful toward her and supports her commitment (well, for the most part).

Point #4: The Elf Voice that she did was extremely unsettling. I spent more time thinking about whether they manipulated the sound to create that voice than understanding or appreciating why the elf scene was even in the film. To be clear: the elf and santa costume scene was hard to watch without turning away. Poor Alicia - that voice.

The ending was good - I thought that it was finally gratifying. That's when I realized that this movie deserved a few more stars than I was initially planning to give (like, a 4).

Bottom line: If you are a die-hard Christmas fan and committed to the usual traditions, you'll appreciate this movie. I also love love love the actress that plays the movie mom of Jamie. (the romantic lead). She is amazing, as another reviewer said.

4/10 - probably my least favorite Hallmark movie of all time - an obnoxious main character and pretty flat acting

Hallmark Christmas films vary in quality. Some good ones (a reaction not always expected), some mediocre at best and even very bad ones and plenty that fall somewhere in between. The concept for 'Christmas List' sounded nice, though hardly innovative. Am not always a fan of Alicia Witt, a Hallmark regular. Sometimes she is charming and has characters easy to like, at other times her acting to me is too affected and it makes me struggle to root for her or the film.

'Christmas List' was a more than watchable festive effort of theirs. Actually thought that despite its flaws that it was quite good and it is for me easily one of Witt's better performances (though it is also not perfect as has been said by others) in a festive Hallmark film and one of her better festive Christmas films overall. As well as one of Hallmark's better festive efforts that year in a hit and miss batch, something that is not unusual for Hallmark.

Is 'Christmas List' perfect? No it isn't, none of Hallmark's Christmas films are. The music is too often intrusive and could have been more subtle, a common problem for Hallmark. Absolutely detested the boyfriend character Brett, like others here, it's not because he is a well worn Hallmark stereotypical type of character (he is) because of how over the top unlikeable he is and the film makes no attempt to make him interesting or dimensional. Hallmark have rarely done well with their jerk boyfriend characters and this was one of the worst cases.

Not all the dialogue is natural, some awkwardness early on. Do agree that some of the more childlike parts of Witt's character are overdone.

Most of Witt's performance though is charming and amiable, in one of her most expressive performances, and on the most part she isn't annoying. Gabriel Hogan is a likeable leading man as well as witty, he and Witt have a genuine and natural chemistry together and their banter has both tension and playfulness. Susan Hogan steals her screen time. Although the characters are on the underdeveloped side, the performances are better than average and the chemistry never disconnected.

The film looks attractive, especially the scenery. The photography is not drab or gaudy. On the most part, the script has less of the corn, cheese, overdone sentiment and awkwardness that can be heard in other Hallmark efforts. Yeah, some of the dialogue still isn't great and can get contrived, but it flows well, is heart-warming and it doesn't get sugary. The story is very flawed, but it has a lot of charm and heart and some parts are quite poignant. The ending is foreseeable and a bit too tidy, but is very sweet nonetheless. The pace doesn't feel too rushed or too dull.

Overall, a worthwhile film. 7/10

If you ever grew up in a place that never gets snow then you really do dream of a White Christmas. Here the Alicia Witt Character does just that. She also grew up in a single parent home with no siblings. (A fact the script doesn't point out). So what she really wants to do is create a family and traditions that are mostly seen in "Hallmark Movies".

What I like about this film is that the "LIST" is something someone would create if they never got do them for whatever reason. I also think that wanting to do these things is sweet and "Childlike Innocence" and that is what makes this film special.

The film is made with care. If you do not like Christmas or you grew up spoiled then you might not be able to relate to this at all.

This is a winner.

Veteran Hallmark Christmas Movie Star Alicia Witt newest entry is her best one I have seen. I remember her "That's Incredible" appearance in 1980. She was only 5 years old and was reading and comprehending Shakespeare. Anyway that was then.

Now 36 years later Alicia plays Isobel. This year Isobel plans a storybook Christmas that she never had and plans to spend it with her boyfriend. Her plans include spenfing Christmasn is a snow- covered cottage. She also made a "Christmas Bucket List" and on that list is classic holiday traditions she has bever done. But when the boyfriend goes AWOL, the list proves challenging a tempting new romance turns her life upside down.

I grew up wanting the things on Christmas that this woman wants. Her list includes "Caroling" and most of all "A White Christmas".

I found this film such a joy. It's nice to see a film where you can fully understand someones motives. I am not sure if men will "Get This". Maybe if they are over 30. Most everyone else that has thought of a "Perfect Christmas" would most likely come up with the same list.

This film is worth seeing. I will watch it again if given the chance.

Merry Christmas. Enjoy the Film!