Five Star Christmas

The supporting cast totally made this movie! They were so fun and entertaining.

I enjoyed the comedy in the movie. The two main characters are two of my favourite of the Hallmark movies and glad to see them in this movie together. At times I did feel the movie was a little "silly" but a nice change.

The house and scenery were absolutely beautiful, these aspects helped the movie be more interesting.

I really enjoyed the grandfather and grandmother roles they did a very good job.

I really enjoyed this film! Of the 2020 Hallmark Holiday film offerings, this one was one of my two favorite ("Holly and Ivy", being the other). I loved the script, the sets, and most of all, the chemistry of the entire acting ensemble. It made me laugh, which felt good, especially after this year!. Bethany Joy Lenz never disappoints, and always delivers. I wrote a quick note to the production company, echoing my sentiments here, and wondering if(hoping) we might see a sequel of the continuing adventures and goings-on at the Ralston family B&B for Christmas 2021.

Cheers!

Bethany Joy Lenz is my favorite female Hallmark lead, hands-down. If the summary said it was her leading a team of Christmas pugs against a team of alien invaders, I'd be in. And that's before I knew how well she could sing!

Five Star Christmas is not only the best movie of the 2020 holiday season, I think it's the best I've ever seen.

'Hilarious' is not a word I associate with Hallmark, but this movie was laugh-out-loud funny. And it sacrificed none of the romance or Christmas we expect along the way. Lenz' Lucy and co-star Victor Webster as Jake had a real snap of chemistry from their first run-in, and her extended family had an easy, loving vibe that never felt schmaltzy or forced. Two points for letting a little squabble in.

Honestly, Five Star Christmas felt like proof Hallmark noted all of our gripes and turned them into one warm, goofy movie. The plot was much fresher. The sets were lovely and well-decorated without being overdone. Family memories and traditions were represented without getting sappy. No smarmy little kids, crazed workaholics, overbearing mothers, exes from hell, or marches through 50 Christmas events.

I'll leave it for other reviewers to name exactly what they enjoyed most, because I don't want to spoil a single surprise, even the little ones.

As Grandma said, "People surprise you. You should follow your heart."

When adult children Bethany Joy Lenz, Grace Beedie, and Blair Penner return home for Christmas, they discover their father, Robert Wisden, has turned their childhood home into a bed and breakfast chateau. It's quite a shock, and no one's very happy about it, but when Robert explains he's been lonely as a widower for fifteen years, and especially now that the kids have moved out, they agree to support him. When a critic arrives for a Christmas stay, rather than admit the inn is completely inexperienced and free from guests, all the family (complete with Grandma Paula Shaw and Grandpa Jay Brazeau) pitch in and pretend to be paying customers or the hired staff.

The plot is very funny, but you've got to be prepared for some silly humor. This is one of the cutest "This would never happen" Hallmark scripts. In real life, if they acted that way, the critic would leave after ten minutes and write them a terrible review. But this is Hallmark, not real life, so it's hilarious to see them flounder around pretending they're not all related.

Where's the romance, you might ask? There's always a romance in the Hallmark Christmas movies, right? Right. The other 2020 premieres featured frustrating romantic pairings with clashing personalities, men with major problems, and women who kowtowed just to have someone to kiss under the mistletoe. I know it's only Hallmark, but I think it's important to teach impressionable people who watch these movies what a healthy relationship looks like.

In Five Star Christmas, Bethany Joy Lenz is paired with Victor Webster. Not only is there great chemistry between them, but their characters blend well. They get to know each other during late night talks, he spends time with her family, she respects his intelligence - and best of all, they don't put each other down when they flirt. I know it's considered cute repartee to show a couple bantering and putting each other down with confidence, but that doesn't teach the audience good behavioral patterns. In this Hallmark, you can really imagine these characters with a good future ahead of them.

It seems like I'm taking a silly comedy very seriously, doesn't it? Partly, I'm relieved to be able to praise a Hallmark this year, and partly, I'm very grateful to get back to the sweet relationships of yesteryear. When a man is willing to utterly humiliate himself to make you smile, you know you've got a keeper. From start to finish, Bethany and Victor steal the show. Check it out!