12 Gifts of Christmas

Most Hallmark Christmas movies make the difference with other Christmas movies in the fact that they are bright and agreeable, although they tend to be too bland and corny and have not exactly complicated plots. However, this one's a bit more elaborated, resulting in a more entertaining and nice to watch movie with fine cast and beautiful photography. A painter who does not succeed in her profession (Katrina Law, who resembles Relic Hunter star Tia Carrere) and lives with her sister's family decides to work as a personal shopper to earn some money to pay her rent. Her first client is an executive (Aaron O'Connell, who resembles a young Richard Gere) who has no time to buy Christmas presents. While they met and work together, his priorities begin to change and begins to really enjoy life while falling for her. Filmed in a visually attractive New York city it is an easy watching movie that runs along smoothly and provides a nice entertainment without being too corny. If you liked this one try With love, Christmas.

If you have seen your fair share of Hallmark Christmas films, it would be safe to say that you are very likely to know what to expect and one shouldn't expect any more. Have seen my fair share myself and have always watched them with mixed expectations. That are either met and even exceeded, or the film completely misses the mark and does little with any potential. '12 Gifts of Christmas' was no different, familiar plot but Katrina Law impressed in other Hallmark work of hers (i.e. 'Snow Bride').

'12 Gifts of Christmas' exceeded the mixed expectations had before watching. Very few Hallmark festive films fit my definition of great and '12 Gifts of Christmas' is no exception. Compared to other Hallmark etc. films seen in the past four/five months or so, it fares favourably though and towards being in the better half of a hit and miss bunch. Even if not a must see or one one can watch over and over, it is worth seeing once or twice.

Did feel that it started off on an unsure note. It takes a while to find its footing and Anna is a pretty obnoxious character (or so it seemed to be) early on.

Was not expecting many surprises watching '12 Gifts of Christmas' and expectedly the film didn't provide very many at all. It is the standard Hallmark Christmas film formula pretty much story-wise with not much variation, with some of it obviously telegraphed early on. The ending can be seen from some while off.

Once '12 Gifts of Christmas' gets going, being a film that also takes time to find its footing, and Anna starts to develop and evolve, it does become much better so stick with it. The production values are very pleasing to look at, nice use of locations slickly shot. The music captures the Christmas feel very well and is not near as over-scored or intrusive as too many of a lot of Hallmark films. The script can be very corny, but mostly flows nicely and has a light-hearted and sweet tone without being saccharine.

Despite the predictability, the story is charming is light on its feet and warms the heart. Much of the pace doesn't drag and the characters are generally not bad, Anna in the early portions being an exception. Nice to see characters that actually show growth. The acting is also pretty decent, with solid supporting turns and very engaging lead performances from particularly Law. The chemistry between the actors is existent at least and doesn't take too long to build or feel hastily wrapped up. Donna Mills looks amazing too and steals all her scenes.

All in all, not a bad film at all. 7/10

A fine film to watch around the holidays, with two strong leads. But something bothered me. I mean, really bothered me. I'm not hating on Donna Mills, but she played the main character's mother. The young man is in his late twenties, no older. Donna Mills is made up/lit/diffused/whatever to look thirty years old. The woman in seventy-five. Women that age should not look thirty! She looked more like the character's sister than his mother. That distracted me so much, that's pretty much all I have to say in this review. Good film. Good lead actors. But, damn. Don't make a seventy five year old woman look thirty. It took me right out of the movie.

Based on the other reviews I wasn't expecting too much from this movie, but it turned out to be one of the best I have seen. Light and breezy dialogue, and a plot that kept moving with likeable characters, are among its strengths. But it also dealt with questions of goals and life direction so it wasn't all fluff, either. All in all a charming, engaging movie with enough plot surprises to keep you interested and entertained.

Your typical hallmark-y Christmas movie. Story is nothing, acting is worse, and everyone is wearing red and green throughout the movie. I haven't finished yet, but I'm mid-ice skating scene, so I'm expecting the two love birds to fall onto each other and share a kiss any moment now.

Other than that, there is absolutely no humour in this. The only funny moments were not intentional. The two of them eating cupcakes with knife and fork, very casually, not part of any joke. Botox mom calling her son with her glasses all crooked. And the most funny of all is the family painting. That really made me laugh. If you know, you know.

On a more serious note, what is up with that manipulative sister, guilt tripping the main character into baby sitting all the time?!