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.

Here is one of the Jewish people partaking in their first Christmas (and sometimes vice versa) stories. We've seen several, and ALL the rest are better.

The mother is unbearable. I "think" she's supposed to be funny. She's not. She's insensitive, cold, and obnoxious to the point we simply could not watch anymore.

Emily Arlook as the female lead should at least be charming and sympathetic. She's not. We found her annoying, too. The father is shallow and useless. The sister is okay. They should have used her more. MUCH more. The male lead came across as the most likable "main character", but they didn't even use him enough. When the plot description says "awkward", believe it. It's just not "funny awkward", it's "disturbing awkward".

But the mother spoils the entire story. She's not someone I'd tolerate in my life, and not even for two hours. Buh bye!

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 saw other reviews and expected Graham's family, especially the mom, to be worse. Oh she was bad enough, but I've seen worse. Actually the movie started out well enough at Leah's family's house. There are several good moments between Graham and Leah. However, the constant putdowns of Leah did not lead to much Ho, Ho, Ho. Leah starts to get down on herself which isn't a good look for her.

So awkward? All the putdowns are nothing compared to the Christmas Eve gifts.

Obviously things pick up and several nice things happen.

BTW - about the vases. It really bothered me enough the Julia made Leah pay full price for the broken vases given that it was an accident. Over $300 at retail should have got a discount for multiple purchases anyway. But then she had to rub it in later when Leah meets her again making it sound like Leah did her so much harm even after paying for it.

Another BTW - Hallmark's running gag about Die Hard is kind of cute.

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.