Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

I wasn't going to watch this one, but then I saw the ratings were pretty high. I'm now wondering what those people were thinking.

Plot involves two real estate rivals forced to work together to sell a home.

We know where that's going.

From the previews, it appeared Eva would be sweet, and she is...when she's not being bat-poop crazy.

Jeff looks like a deer in the headlights at times.

Supporting cast consists of a 16-year-old who looks 25, and a couple selling the home who seems to be in every Hallmark/GAF movie ever.

I'm thinking the more people who watch this the lower the ratings will go.

My thought is to spare you.

7.4 stars.

This is one that I didn't hate even with the low ratings. I guess I will have to watch every Hallmark and Family movie in existence, because I've found myself getting lost in the world of real estate and mistletoe of all things, with a rating under 6 stars and so it's hit and miss, but rolling the dice don't seem to work, because this movie ain't bad. I mean this is as corny a plot as it gets I suppose, but isn't it all just fluff these days anyways? The story focuses a bit too much on the sale of a house. Who will buy it, why, and how? Its just weird and way overblown for a simple house sale. It's about two real estate agents who compete for the most sales and rentals and they eventually realize they are attracted to each other. The man goes from arrogant jerk to instant nice guy in the midst of one scene, it's funny, but also endearing, but still funny as I watch his whole demeanor change from bad guy harasser to nice guy attractive. I have never seen him in a movie prior. And the lead female, I've not watched anything she's in, but I like her style, she has a down to earthness that is relaxing and contagious. So they are starting to like each other as more than coworkers, but then there's a few hitches, and then they bounce back. She has a niece staying with her and the niece has a neat little side story too. Oddly, this cast of characters have a synergy that makes for above average entertainment. It's not a film I could round up to 8, however.

In the beginning, I hated Jeff with a passion. He was everything I hate which is one thing, but the Jeff of the first 20 minutes was the antitype of a romantic lead. Guess what? His personality magically softened, as well as his attitude toward Eva. Instantly, which is typical in these movies. I had problems with Eva too, even though she was a little more generous and upbeat. But her arrogance and competitiveness almost matched Jeff's.

What was worse, was the actors. Sarah Fisher often looked like she had severe gastric discomfort. Her delivery was poor. Simon Arblaster wasn't much better less the uncomfortable demeanor. The two have no chemistry. They each look so uncertain when being nice or saying something nice to the other. Most of these movies have friends commenting on how the couple must be in love because of the "way you look at each other". There are none of those looks here.

Many of the supporting actors were also bad. One exception was Jerni Stewart as Bonnie. She is meant to be appealing from the start plus being the mediator. Only trouble is that she looks and acts like an adult or at least college age. The actor is 22.

The dialogue was a little flat. The movie lacks the spark that makes it fun.

The story is slightly unusual with two competing realtors working together to sell one house. But the point is to throw Jeff and Eva together so they can develop a relationship. Selling the house becomes their Christmas project together. There isn't much of a story except for Eva's dream of being a novelist which she has put aside while she sells houses.

Hopefully NO realtor would be so underhanded as to butt in with another agent speaking with clients. His constant referral to "Agent of the year" was nauseous.

His constant reminders that he has "sold houses" whereas the lady had sold "condos" was petty and childish. Is anyone that insecure?

If your network wants to compete with Hallmark you need better writers.

I'm doing my best here to give a short accurate review to this pitiful movie but everything I hit "submit" an error message pops up telling me that my review is too short.

How many words does it take to request better writers and a better plot?

Nothing special but a few nice moments.

It's a big plus that the main male character is not an abusive, toxic male, which the main female character has to endure in order to discover some of his good sides and, in the end, fall in love with him.

The guy in this movie was actually a decent guy from the beginning. Even the characters' initial rivalry was set up without us hating the guy!

It is a lovely fairy tale about the mistletoe growers - from their relationship, through their 'magic' to how dreamy their house was.

Unfortunately, despite having all the good elements, something didn't work in this movie. Perhaps the lack of chemistry between the two leads... Or the lack of chemistry between the main lead and her girlfriend characters...