Für immer Weihnachten

Throughout my whole Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas film completest quest undertaken namely late last year through to early this year, an interesting quest but very mixed one, there was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with Lifetime's output but in some cases it came not too far off. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level.

2018's 'Forever Christmas' is sadly not one of watchable ones, though is not quite cash in level quality. Have absolutely personal against Lifetime and have liked enough of their work, but when they were on bad form the film in question was bad. While not one of their all time worst, 'Forever Christmas' fits this negative definition sadly. Very little works and the worst aspects are pretty awful and this is being said with regret, not malice.

'Forever Christmas' is not a disaster. The scenery is truly beautiful and the photography is also attractive and slickly framed.

Christopher Russell is a likeable leading man that deserved a better film and female lead, much better than he was in 'Merry Matrimony' where he was too introverted.

Was a lot less enamoured by Chelsea Hobbs however, who came over as bland and awkward. Their chemistry is non-existent, the two look so indifferent and under-rehearsed when together and there is just nothing to the relationship. The rest of the cast are a mix of very stiff or overripe.

The characters are shallow ciphers and little more than typical Lifetime cliches with no variation, and none of them are believably developed or likeable. The direction throughout is as indifferent as the lead chemistry and is at best leaden. The music is, as can be the case with Lifetime, intrusive and there is nothing memorable to it. When it comes to the dialogue, it is very awkward in flow and there is no heart to it.

Both the cheese and sentiment go overboard, and because of disliking the characters so much there was nothing in 'Forever Christmas' to connect with emotionally. The story is not much of one at all for most of the length, much of the first portion is endless and pointless filler and what there is of the story is very dull and makes no sense. The ending feels too rushed and too tidy.

Overall, weak. 3/10.

The writing is bad, the directing is bad and the acting is strained. The situations are stupid and unbelievable. Quite possibly one of the worse Christmas movies I've seen and I've seen quite a few.

I liked the story line and the lead actor but there was no obvious chemistry between the two leads. And the actress, well...she should stick to being the villoness; she always has a look of being devious and hateful about her. Perhaps they can remake this movie with a different lead actress.

If Christopher Russell is paired with the right female lead, and he has a script that takes advantage of his GQ worthy handsomeness and the kindness that you can see behind his eyes, he can be great. Unfortunately that doesn't always happen. It does in this one. The script explores the phoniness behind reality series and how untrustworthy and false they can be. I didn't much care for the heroine, but Christopher made up for that and had charm enough for both. I did like that they had a fairly sizzling love scene as opposed to the usual chaste kiss at the end of the movie.

For the most part, this is a Hallmark-like Christmas-theme movie......storyline is cutesy with farcical type comedy layered in. No Oscar-level acting required. Tries to also layer in some charitable spirit/heart-warming tidbits.

Where it deviates from the Hallmark formula is that the romance element is brought on more obviously early on. And likely to the offense of Hallmark aficionados, the kissing is a bit more intense and elongated, with some disrobing.

While their romantic dialogue is not overly compelling, Hobbs and Russell make for a sexually attractive pair. It is far better matching of lead looks than the odd-pairings that Hallmark usually dishes up. It is Ok as a one-time watch.