A Christmas Switch

Christmas has always been special to me and my favourite time of year. Main reasons being that it means lots of family time and reliving the nostalgia of singing and listening to carols, watching Christmas films and animations, playing festive games and opening presents. Will never tire of it and nothing will ever change that for the world.

Seing it as someone who wanted to see a different festive film other than the ones watched every year, 'A Christmas Switch' is never going to be among my favourites or one of the timeless festive films. It is not great, nor is it flawless. 'A Christmas Switch' is though a more than watchable film and avoids some, though not all, of the traps that other Christmas films have fallen into. It is a case of having appeal for some and others finding it a bit of a chore to sit through. For me despite its flaws, 'A Christmas Switch' is one of the better new Christmas films seen recently, but nowhere near close to ever.

As to be expected, the story is predictable and although the premise is a reasonably clever one there isn't an original idea in sight. There are a lot of easily telegraphed scenes here. Some draggy pacing here and there too.

Some of the dialogue veers on the cheesy side and like some festive films it is not without its schmaltzy and over-sentimental moments, some of which not easy to stomach.

However, 'A Christmas Switch' is a decent looking film, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to, while the direction avoids being too routine. Didn't find myself irritated by the characters at least and wasn't bored.

Despite the predictability, 'A Christmas Switch' has its heart in the right place, a difficult to dislike atmosphere and has a nice message that is easily relatable and wasn't laid on too thick. There is definitely a festive spirit and there is plenty of warmth and charm here, with enough parts to warm and melt the heart. Never does it feel too juvenile or mean-spirited and the sentimentality doesn't become too much. The acting actually comes over very well, with two likeable leads and children that never are too sugary sweet or bratty, instead charming and beyond their years.

Overall, likeable and above average if nothing to be blown away by. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Yes it's been done before. Is it as good as the others? Maybe not, but maybe yes. The acting is fine. The story is also fine. If you don't try to compare, but go with the flow, it is an enjoyable TV movie.

I liked that there was confusion of the sudden switch is profound, but not overdone. I liked that Julia is tough, even arrogant and selfish, but not sadistically mean. I liked that the teenage Laurel does love her mom. I loved little Cleary Herzlinger as Kelly. She actually acted her age. And I loved the very last segment by the tree.

Jackie Seiden has talent. We hear a bit of it, but I could have listened to more.

1st: reviewers here are hard and we definitely don't share the same opinions. Maybe cause I'm older or just that I'm old-fashioned. STOP reading all the reviews until you have watched the movie. These reviews on this movie would have made me not want to watch it. I LOVE this silly, predictable, unrealistic but very cute little movie. I even recorded it and I'm watching it right now for the 4th time. Yes, you might not like it and feel like you wasted your time but what do you have besides time! Form your own view, you don't have to agree with others, that's what makes us all different and equal at the same time. And hey, you just might like it.

7.6 stars.

I'm lucky to personally find both of these leading females to be extremely gorgeous. The odds seem low on the probability of that for some reason, however it's interesting that both look so similar. I figured they might switch places in a different way, maybe they were twins that never met or something. But once you see them both for just a minute, you realize they are two different actresses and totally different in mannerisms and visage. Nevertheless, this film is actually fun. Don't let the first 40 minutes get the best of you, it starts out really - really slow. Once the story builds and the characters become more interesting, stuff gets fun. Then after more development, the relationships become endearing and emotional. Finally, we grow to love these two women, and both daughters and husbands are so likable too. There is a lot of potential lost, they could've added more to this movie, much more, but alas it's not in the cards. The whole sequel potential, I doubt that ever happened, but maybe it did, who knows. I recommend this, but you must let it marinate for a while and then it gets good.

Good film of a very reliably entertaining trope: the body switch. The two women get each other's lives in order with their fresh prospectives. My only quibble is the actresses looked too much alike so it got too confusing and kept taking me out of the movie. There should have been more of a contrast. It would have added to the impact and the comedy.