A Very Merry Mix-Up

Hallmark Christmas films vary in quality. Some good ones (a reaction not always expected), some mediocre at best and even very bad ones and plenty that fall somewhere in between. The concept for 'A Very Merry Mix Up' sounded nice, though hardly innovative. Am not always a fan of Alicia Witt, a Hallmark regular. Sometimes she is charming and has characters easy to like, at other times her acting to me is too affected and it makes me struggle to root for her or the film.

'A Very Merry Mix Up' is one of those solid/high-in between Hallmark festive efforts, certainly out of the ones seen by me recently. Not great (some major flaws here) or a complete Christmas cracker, but merry enough and far from the equivalent of a lump of coal at the bottom of a stocking. It also contains one of Witt's better and more endearing Hallmark festive performances, something that would have made or broken the film depending on whether she would be good or not considering she's the lead.

There are flaws in 'A Very Merry Mix Up'. As others have said, it is a very typical Hallmark Christmas film, with plot tropes that can be spotted a mile away from being used frequently. So it felt very predictable and in need of freshness throughout. The film can fall into ridiculous territory, especially towards the end, and is too reliant on coincidence.

Do agree that the music is distractingly overbearing. Not only does it dominate the film too much and is used too much, sometimes it doesn't even fit either and other festive films seen recently did much better at capturing the spirit of Christmas (some of what is heard here can be heard anywhere regardless of the occasion). More understated scoring was needed. Too many of the supporting characters are underdeveloped.

On the other hand, 'A Very Merry Mix Up' does have a lot of things that work in its favour. Witt plays her role with a lot of charm and doesn't take things too seriously. She is very comitted here while not getting too forced like some of her other Hallmark performances. Mark Wiebe is very down to earth and their chemistry has a good deal of spark. Their characters, while very familiar for Hallmark, are also actually interesting and are not annoying. All the acting is well above average, regardless of the flimsy character development in support.

Script has less of the corn, cheese, overdone sentiment and awkwardness that can be heard in other Hallmark efforts. Yeah, some of the dialogue still isn't great and can get contrived, but it flows well, is heart-warming and it doesn't get sugary. The story is very flawed, but it has a lot of charm and heart and some parts are quite poignant. The ending is foreseeable and a bit too tidy, but is very sweet nonetheless. The pace doesn't feel too rushed or too dull.

Concluding, has major flaws but has a lot of things that work well. Worthwhile. 6/10

Alicia appears in several of our favorite Hallmark Christmas films, and some of them are among our favorites specifically because of her. There are only a couple we consider duds (like the snow globe film). Her quirky style works for us.

This story sidesteps many of the Christmas romance cliches, but does retain one which becomes central to the film ... the bad boyfriend trope. However, it's handled somewhat differently and the plot moves past it with a couple of intentionally awkward scenes which reveal to Witt's character just how wrong her fiancé is for her and how right the new man she discovered by accident.

The movie is funny with lots of warm moments and the awkward scenes with her fiancé's family sell her changing idea of what she wants in a relationship and in her life.

A charming film for its high unrealism, first. And for humor, spirit of family, effort to preserve the memory/ legacy of father and for a beautiful mistake of a young, real seductive young woman discovering, step by step, the truth in many senses. A beautiful film and beautiful performances, noble message and the taste of hot cocoa in Christmas Eve evening.

181212: Why am I so susceptible to love stories? I liked this film from the moment it started. Most of the credit can be given to Alice (Alicia Witt) who captured my attention and kept me intrigued. Slow paced but I never lost interest. A predicatable yet pleasant Christmas film. Well worth watching; at least once.

Alice (Alicia Witt) met a man named Will on an online dating site. Although she runs an antique store with a modest income and Will is a high-powered salesman, she thinks she has found the right guy. The gentleman decides to propose to Alice in a restaurant, where his food choices have left her baffled. Nevertheless, she says yes. Just as they are making plans to meet his parents, Will has to miss the flight for business. But, he persuades Alice to go on solo and he will catch up. What a mistake! Alice's luggage goes missing and then her cellphone accidentally gets wet and dies. Thus, Alice doesn't know the address of Will's parents. By happy accident, Alice meets her fiancé's brother, Matt (Mark Wiebe) who has just returned home by plane, too. Initially apprehensive, Alice is welcomed warmly by Will's parents and grandfather and all is joyous. Or is it? Unbelievably, there are two families in the same town, with the same name. Alice is SUPPOSED TO BE at the other one! Once at the correct home, the poor redheaded, newly engaged lady is very much disappointed in Will's actual family. Plus, she misses Matt, whose likes and dislikes are more like her own. In addition, could Will possible working behind the scene to damage her business, which he doesn't truly like? This very merry, sweet, romantic Hallmark film is a fine choice for a snowy or sunny evening. Witt and Wiebe are attractive cast members with a great appeal and all sets, costumes, script lines, and direction talents are topnotch. Want to "get merry" ? Get this one!