Eine Nachricht vor Weihnachten

I've often said that these Hallmark/Lifetime/GAC Family movies live or die based on their casting of the lead actors and how much chemistry those leads have. Safe to say, the producers got it one thousand percent correct when casting Canadian Merritt Patterson (one of my favourites, from ever since her early Hallmark days, through her incredibly risqué turn in 'Heatwave' and recent work on GAC Family) and Trevor Donovan, who is a sold actor and can always be counted on to turn in a good performance.

If Patterson and Donovan were good together two years ago in 'Jingle Bell Princess', they are GREAT here in 'Twas the Text Before Christmas', which features an inventive (if somewhat unlikely in real life) scenario that takes place over three Christmases (similar to one of my favourites, 'Four Christmases and a Wedding') and a well-cast group of secondary actors.

This slow-developing and pleasant movie is definitely one of the better Christmas movies you're likely to see in 2023.

7.3 stars.

I like both the actors, bar none both are in my top five of Hallmark and Family channels males and females. Unfortunately this story is so beat to death it becomes old hat. The dialogue is generic and plain, a lot of phony small talk with no point. Two adults are doing a dance year after year, as the timeline spans a few Christmases, she comes over to an old woman's house every holiday and it's just about as generic as they come. The romance doesn't build up enough tension, it's too easy going and expected. It seems realistic in a sense, two very familiar friends finally take the romantic plunge, but mostly his character is too uncomfortable and indecisive. Her character has much more personality, although she could have shown a bit more frustration, or impatience, I don't know. The whole story is lacking angst.

I'm not sure why all the rave reviews, 'Twas the Text..' just doesn't have what it takes for a memorable experience. Again, I really love both of these actors and I soooooo hoped this was gonna be mind blowing awesome. The rating currently is 7.1, very high praise for anything in this genre, but there are only 17 reviews, which indicates it's actually only a bit above average, and deserves no trophies or ribbons in my book. Aww man, I wanted it to be good. I might have to give it a whirl again, you never know when your mood has colored the experience badly, and I feel this could be one of those rare instances.

This movie is supposed to span a period of 2 years, and 3 Christmases. But amazingly, none of the characters change in any way during this 2 year span. They wear the same clothes, I think Trevor has maybe 2 shirts during the whole movie, one of which looks very very cheap and poorly made. The character's hair, all of them, doesn't change one iota. A 11-12 year old girl, an age at which there are normally TONS of changes, does not change one little bit.

The restaurant scenes with the female lead and her father are exactly the same all 3-4 times. Same table, same background people, everything the same. Even though the several scenes take place over this 2 year period.

The movie itself is pretty boring. The actress playing the elderly mom would be more suited to play the grandmother, she has to be at least 75. She's fine, but unless Trevor is 50+, too old to play his mother.

Merritt Patterson is exactly the same in every role. Shiny happy face, no depth. Neither her nor Trevor are given much to work with here, just so so boooring, no chemistry at all. He is so wasted here.

GAF need to tone down their set decoration for these movies. It's always over the top and unrealistic. And doesn't anyone use other types of Christmas tree decorations? Why just large shiny balls everywhere? A women who loves Christmas and is 65+ in age would have a ton of more vintage looking stuff.

A stranger's text leads to a Christmas dinner invitation and an unexpected romance in this cute holiday story about found family. Unfortunately, the over-the-top, tacky holiday decor is a big visual distraction rather than offering a warm festive setting. (This seems to be a reoccurring problem with GAC/GAF productions.) Hoping that for next year GAC learns the art of classic, elegant holiday decor - less is more people! There are also a few disconnects that should have been caught in editing, but overall this is a festive, uplifting watch with a primary romance in the making, as well as a sweet secondary romance.

The idea is not bad, leading actors i usually find likeable and the supporting ones were all pleasant, but it's like the writer and director tried to keep it as primitive as possible. Nor was there a hint of chemistry between the leads. Till the last moment they were willing to give up on each other, then he decides her happiness means so much to him that he's willing to follow her to another country... (when it makes a lot of sense to stay in his new home now, near his mom they both love...)

To offer a half-baked product that has all the potential of being a satisfying and original story with good actors must be ...sad.