Leah's Perfect Gift

7.6 stars.

A lot of fans were horrified by this film. I can't blame them. The lead male's family is atrocious. Mainly the mother is a real piece of work. The whole atmosphere had to be staged just so, in order to make it as miserable as possible for the audience. I think the Director had the idea in mind to make it as realistic as possible, but only monsters truly act this way in reality.

This is an anti (you know what) story, no doubt. You cannot miss the blatant disregard for two different religions/cultures. I'll let you guess which. This is anti-both of them and it's disgusting. And the features of the lead female? Why do people assume that those people all look like that? They don't all look like that, it's such a cliché that they (Hallmark and many other studios) try to convey to the world that this culture/people has a particular visage and quirky way about them. I could go on and on down this rabbit hole, but I'll stop here. This movie is not subtle about it and I think Hallmark needs to be sued or something. This is so NOT cool.

Funny thing is, I like this movie. Let me explain why. About 30 minutes in, I realized this is that kind of story, you know the kind you see every so often about social injustice, equal rights, and all that jazz? Well, if you come at this film from that perspective, you will actually have a more fulfilling experience. I was quite pleased with it at that point. The lead female is quite the heroine. I was rooting for her at this point, and I had a great time watching her humbly dismantle this abomination of a matriarch and her buffoon of a husband.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I thought Leah and Graham had chemistry. You could tell they really loved each other. I loved the sister too. She brought in some comedic timing that was needed. I loved mixing the Jewish and Christian traditions. I would agree with other reviewers that Graham's parents were over the top and rude. I don't know why Hallmark does that and then in the final moments they change. It's not believable. I really felt Leah's performance and how she didn't feel like she fit in with Graham's parents. He played both sides well. Maybe he could have listened to Leah better but that is where some of the conflict lyes. The ex girlfriend could have been left out. She really brought nothing to the table. Overall I really liked this movie.

I am not sure what was going on in the writer's room when they were writing this movie, but someone must have skipped food and turned in a hangry script. I really like Leah, she was the best part of this film. The rest of the characters are just plain awful. No woman with her amount of education and humor would stay with a milk toast man who did not stick up for her and let his mom be so condescending and just mean. Most of the movie the acting is over the top or just dull. I think with less snakiness from the mom, the over the top and stereotypical nasty ex girlfriend, and a strong leading man this could have been something. This one misses the mark.

This is not a Hallmark movie. Hallmark movies have lovable and kind characters. These people were mean and rude and it wasn't redeemed in the end. I thought the lead actress did a great job as an actress, it was no fault to her that the story line lacked the true Hallmark Christmas spirit.

Most of us watch Hallmark movies because they are uplifting and warm. This was one of those that left you uncomfortable in every scene. I don't understand the direction Hallmark is going in but this didn't work. I would compare this to Meet the Parents, although it wasn't a comedy it gave me the same uncomfortable feeling the entire movie.

I really enjoyed this movie (coming from a long marriage where we combined Christmas and Hannukah traditions). Some of the scenes were a bit over the top, however I can relate so well to the way I opened packages on holidays by ripping the wrapping paper vs. The way my non-Jewish husband opened packages by carefully opening the taped end and folding the paper afterwards. Combining our traditions led to some moments such as they portrayed in the movie. I have to think that some or all of the writers lived some of these type of situations too. I really enjoyed the ending when the mother and Leah have an honest conversation. I don't understand all of the bad reviews here; I enjoyed this movie and could relate to most of it.