A Picture Perfect Holiday

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to my consideration and recommendation of A Picture Perfect Christmas.

Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.25/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2

Total 6.0/10

When two photographers are thrown together at a photography workshop they have one pivotal question to answer - Film or Digital? Just kidding! Though the question raises its head in the movie, the story is principally about opposites attracting. The principal romantic interests have only one aspect of commonality - Photography. When both accidentally double-book the last chalet in town, they're forced to bunk up for the seasonal period. And because of their conflicting natures - one is happy to make do while the other wants their privacy and solitude - it's how these contrary Marys come to accept one another that makes for a charming little tale. And, Tatyana Ali (Gaby) and Henderson Wade (Sean) sell their characters and their actions and reactions perfectly. It was nice to have the roles slightly reversed also. Gaby is the more masculine of the pair, while Sean isn't afraid to show his caring, feminine side. The writers also met their LBGT quota on this one by including a second love interest - A "We want to be married" couple - Dani (Paula Placido) and Amelia (Rivkah Reyes). Who knows, we may even get to a time, before human extinction, when Dani and Amelia's story would be the primary tale and not a back-burner. However, for a movie about photography (though it's only a device to bring our lovers together), I expected more from the cinematography. I think the director could've done with taking a course or three themselves. That said, it's not terrible, it just could've been better.

A Picture Perfect Christmas is not perfect, no surprise there - perfection is hard to attain, especially when it relies on other people's perceptions. However, it's a charmingly delightful picture, even if the climax ends too suddenly, and I would happily recommend it for a cuddle watch with your loved one on a bitterly wet afternoon.

Please feel free to check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care, Stay Well, And Merry Christmas.

There are a few double-booked stories and it usually comes down to how enjoyable is the relationship between the leads. I was ready to write this one off because Gabby was much too arrogant, condescending, rude and self-absorbed for the first 20 minutes. The writers of many movies seem to think that have to have the leads be antagonistic with one another to the point of offensive. Some of this continued through about 1/3rd of the movie. I will say that instead of the usual instant switch to being nice, this movie tappers it a little. Gabby was never truly unselfish.

Gabby and Sean quickly connect with an all female couple. Each one confesses to either Gabby or Sean that they intend to propose to the other. It takes most of the movie to happen and eventually Gabby and Sean start scheming to help make it happen.

Tatyana Ali and Henderson Wade have some chemistry together, and the story spends a fair amount of screen time developing their relationship. Other than Gabby's career, there is little negative tension.

Acting and dialogue are decent but not sparkling. The characters remarked on great scenery but I would say it was nice but not breathtaking. Overall, I consider this a middle of the road Christmas movie which would have been more enjoyable with a bit softer Gabby.

It is quite refreshing to see "Real" people represented and cast in a film.

While not a true Hallmark film ,lifetime does seem to take a different approach as of late.

Personally the humor and approach I found to be refreshing.

I am not sure than more than five minutes of this film are worth saving. As much as Hallmark is losing inspirations and lowers its standards, Lifetime always manages to run one or two notches below. This production is soulless, awkward and void of authenticity or attention to details. Fist, there is but a casual relation to Christmas or Holidays. Then, the two main characters are enthusiastic professional photographers who spend long time in painful disquisitions of the merits of photographic intents and techniques and, yet, do not seem to know how to hold a camera beyond the ability to point-and-shoot. Tatyana Ali who used to be cute and, now, tries to look cute, plays Gaby, who remains aloof and self-centered until the last five minutes of the action. One wonders why kind and handsome Sean should have any interest in her, unless he has a magical intuition of her hidden qualities revealed in the last five minutes. It is hard to explain how, unable to connect to one another, they should find such a deep interest in the intertwined relationship between Dani and Amelie, which feels like an artificial, unnecessary intrusion in the main story. These latter characters appear so stiff and unfeeling that only provide a chill factor while a snowfall is awaited. The reality is that Lifetime seems to regard these movies as mere carriers of woke messages or proclamations. Good acting, chemistry, credibility, and entertaining become secondary, if not irrelevant, notions. The wokest, the brokest.

This movie was very charming and refreshing. Tatyana Ali and Henderson Wade have really good chemistry. Yes she is snarky at the beginning but so is he and who doesn't love an enemies to lovers trope. That's why they makes so many of the Christmas movies that way. I love the personal stories behind why one loves Christmas so much and why the other doesn't. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and would love to see these two in another film one day. Watch this one with an open mind. You will like it!