Christmas Bake-Off

A Dash Of Christmas/Christmas Bake-Off (2023) -

Christopher Russell is usually a winner in these films and right from the start he was very charming as Aaron.

However, Megan's "First" baking attempt was annoying. No one is that stupid or insecure and I actually struggled to connect with her throughout. Thank God Aaron was such a nice guy to keep me interested in the story.

Although he was probably too nice for reality, he was also the more natural actor too.

I did think that it was nice to see Adam Hurtig as Ronald looking a bit more polished and getting a few more lines. He hasn't generally been in the forefront of these films except in 'Snowmance' (2017) so I liked that he was given a chance to showcase himself a bit more.

And I know that Christmas is for kids, but I was glad that Erica (Zoe Fish) wasn't overly featured because the kids in these films can sometimes make things really treacly.

As the relationship developed between the leading two, in order for her to get a new job, I generally liked the direction that it took with his selflessness and the risk that things might not go the way that they obviously would, but without it being for some stupid reason or misunderstanding like an overheard conversation or some such thing.

But one of the flaws was that Aaron did vlogs but didn't like websites, which just didn't fit the character, even after the explanation given, which then seemed to be irrelevant very quickly when Megan started doing almost exactly what his ex had done. I won't explain too much. You'll have to watch and see what that was.

And also, as a Brit I do find the Americans distaste for Fruit Cake a tad bizarre. Their take on it is very strange. Certainly the version depicted here didn't seem like any baking I'd ever seen before, definitely not when making a Christmas Cake. I think that they're doing it wrong which is why they don't like it?

There's nothing to report regarding the production values, which were all fine, but I did think that with a different lady in the lead, delivering things in a slightly less over the top way, it could have been a more successful film for me.

Christopher Russell was the element that made it as enjoyable as it was.

6.43/10.

I watched this right after Santa Summit, so it was a little like going off the cliff and then hitting the brakes, but it worked out alright.

From Hallmark to GAC, from zaniness and comedy to a low-key romance. Turns out the movies had one thing in common: sweet Amy Groening ( she'll be doing leads soon, mark my words).

This film is about yet another woman (Laura Osnes) returning to her hometown for some soul-searching who has a meet-cute and develops a relationship with local baker (Christopher Russell). She stays at the home of her sister, the aforesaid Groening, who is raising her exceedingly sweet daughter while her Army husband is stationed afar.

There's lots of bonding, lots of baking, and no agendas within a country mile.

The one thing I didn't care for much was the music getting a little sappy at times.

This is the first GAC movie I've seen this year, but while they're still not up to Hallmark, they're getting there, and with more quality cast members like these they won't be far behind for long.

As some other reviewers noted, the storyline moved along well. While the bakery theme is not too far off the usual themes, the perfunctory "conflict" moment was not too contrived. I find Christopher Russell to almost always deliver a likable, charming character and manages to avoid coming off looking like the bumbling idiot in front of the girl which is such a staple of this Hallmark type genre. The romantic chemistry was there, although Laura Osmes actually delivered that better than Russell. Why didn't he kiss her upon leaving after the family dinner? When she says 'I love you' at the end, why didn't he actually say that too? I sometimes wonder if these HM screenplay writers have any firsthand knowledge of how a normal male reacts under feelings of sexual attraction? One thing we don't do is just stand there, not saying or doing anything.

Laura Osnes and Christopher Russell are incredibly well-cast on 'A Dash of Christmas' aka 'Christmas Bake-Off'. They can both act, their chemistry is off the charts right from the beginning, and Osnes is very, very easy on the eye.

The 'returning to your small hometown for Christmas' trope has been used many times before, but is only a sliver of the plot here. The baked goods are mouth-watering and the set design was stunning. The secondary cast were all solid actors, with none of the over-acting by those in peripheral roles that sometimes mars these films to be seen.

(This film comes a close second behind 'One RoyalHoliday' as my favourite Laura Osnes film, and given how spectacularly good I thought she was in that one with Aaron Tveit, that is high praise from me!)

Definitely one of GAC Family's best movies. Here's hoping we see Russell and Osnes together in more productions. Like, Christmas 2024 or earlier!

Thank you GAC, I loved this movie!! The actors were very good and everything just seemed so natural. The flow of the movie was also very good.. the supporting cast were also nice to watch. I liked it because A) it centered around food and B) it wasn't a "save the farm" or "save the family inn" Yes it wasn't the most original plot but at least it wasn't one that's been done countless times. I felt the leads had very good chemistry together but natural chemistry not forced and fake. The scenery was beautiful especially the interior of their home with all the Christmas lights - so pretty and festive. Watch out Hallmark... here comes GAC!! Kudos to all involved in this project- keep up the good work!!