Weihnachtszauber - Ein Kuss kann alles verändern

Just because I knew exactly where this movie was going at every moment doesn't mean it was bad. In fact, there is something comforting about knowing what's going to happen. From the plot to the characters to the musical montages, this is a cookie-cutter Christmas rom-com. But who doesn't like a cookie every now and then?

This movie is a cute holiday drama romance movie, and it has one of my favorite unknown actors Brendan Fehr featured in it. It might make you biting nails "why did the character did that", few plot holes moments, but all actors are alright and it's watchable. If you think about it, there are some movies that made it to theater and aren't as half as good, this one is then more than decent. You can enjoy it watching with your family or boyfriend, because it does not have any excessive sexual scenes. Lead roles make a great couple and will leave you wanting more of their story. Elisabeth Röhm is also a great "villain" here, role suits her good.

"A Christmas Kiss" is a holiday variation on the worst kind of chick flicks. It should never, could never, will never become a holiday classic, and deservedly so. BTW, let me just state up front I am a woman who normally loves chick flicks. In this case, however... Yuck.

The story is trite & predictable, with plot "twists" you can see coming a mile off, and characters as clichéd as some starry-eyed teen would dream up: unlucky-in-love aspiring career girl; her boss, a manipulative, social-climbing, lying, witch-with-a-B; & the sweet, clueless, gazillionaire hunk - who should have 'DOORMAT' tattooed on his forehead, btw - they both want.

Since it has the emotional depth of tissue paper, the acting skills of the attractive cast have limited opportunity for display and can therefore only be called competent at best; in some moments, they're downright cringe-worthy. Although, admittedly, that may be due to the gawd-awful script.

All of which is sad, but to me the worst part was the 2 hours I wasted thinking it would get better; had to get better; would have an emotional payoff that justified making it.

Nope. It just sort of stops, and exactly the way you knew it would after seeing the first 10 minutes. So if you come across this one, do yourself a favor: keep going!

I remember seeing this movie at least twice last year late in the evening on ION television. I really enjoyed it. Good production values and acting by all was in the spirit. Even the extras seem to be having fun. Director John Stimpson came through with professional blocking and just right touch that enhances the Christmas Theme. The movie stays within its limits and does not go off on tangents to try to reinvent itself and become more than the original intent, which often happens with seasonal-themed story lines. Laura Breckenridge was just right in casting, although at first I thought she was a little young for "the Handsome Stranger played by Brenden Fehr. Also good to see movies, like this one, that the young ones can watch without worrying or cringing what may happen next. Don't know if it will be on any local television stations in the east U.S. coast, but see that it is out on DVD. Good stocking stuffer!

Romantic comedy set at Christmas. Can't really fault it, but Brendan Fehr seemed a strange choice for the suave, stiff (and somewhat bemused) hero. Not sure why they chose a gifted character actor for a part that called for so little acting, and with makeup that made him seem like the cousin of Dudley Do-Right. But then, I enjoyed Fehr playing a scruffy flake back in the Roswell days.

Our heroine was a suitably sweet yet spunky young thing with enjoyable friends, and her nemesis boss was E-V-I-L. Many outside characters who seemed entitled to comment on the situation, a smidge of deo ex machina. In other words, nothing you haven't seen before, but basically okay.