Royally Wrapped for Christmas

Christmas and royalty is a combination that has been seen many times with Hallmark over the years, at least once Christmas-themed royal film every year. This formula has been executed with variable success, some being surprisingly good, some average and some really not worth bothering other than completest sake. Brendan Fehr is a very watchable actor and while Jen Lilley is very hit and miss for me some of her work has been good, but it has always been dependent on the character.

'Royally Wrapped for Christmas' is neither one of the best or worst Christmas/royal films from Hallmark, and is a long way from being either with their royal films in general (not all their royal films are centered around Christmas). On the whole, it was watchable with some good things. It also felt rather average with some not very well done aspects and not really anything exceptional. As far as Hallmark goes, one can do with far worse than 'Royally Wrapped for Christmas' but they have certainly done better.

The best thing about the film is Fehr, who has a subtle easy going charm with no signs of being forced. Fiona Reid is suitably dignified and disapproving. The scenery is beautifully picturesque and has a really festive feel and the castle interiors and exteriors are enough to make one want to stay there. The photography is suitably slick.

Music puts one into the festive mood and gives off a cosy nostalgia. There is some charm and genuine sweetness here.

Lilley however didn't do it for me here, she tries too hard and her character is too sickly perfect. It was like the writers were trying to not exaggerate any character flaws but instead went too far the other way of overdoing the positive aspects of the character to the extent it feels affected. Most of the cast overact and most of the characters are too cartoony and typical Hallmark cliches, with clearly fake accents galore, Fehr's being the only one to rise above that a little.

It is hard to deny too that 'Royally Wrapped for Christmas', even for trying to take it for what it is, is riddled with clichés, non-stop predictability and contrivance. It also feels far too easily resolved and too quickly as well. The script is awkward sounding and sounds very cheesy and schmaltzy.

Concluding, watchable but also very average. 5/10.

My reviews are usually short: this was a warm, uplifting movie with a great cast, terrific story and scenery. We enjoyed it thoroughly and it's a feel good movie that will brighten your spirits.

I enjoyed this movie very much, even though it was a classic "Hallmark" type movie even with fake royalty and accents. And let's face it, we all know and enjoy this type of movie no matter what some always seem to say.

That said, Brendan Fehr. Has come a long way from the "Roswell" days and does a good job as the Prince in this story, even though he has to do a fake accent (it's what we signed up for people).

Jen Lilley plays an idealist who wants to make the world a better place by influencing children to learn the joy of giving at a young age. She is fantastic in this role and it shouldn't be all that hard for her to play as she actually does the same thing in her REAL life. She took some pretty hard blows here in reviews from people who are accustomed to or more to the point, conditioned to seeing strong Women portrayed in a certain light. Lilley iis beautiful, dedicated, classy, positive and a little insecure all at the same time, but actually doing something positive every day to better the world. Nothing says strong independent Woman like that does.

Oh, her character in this movie does the same thing.

It's the time for fairy tales. Kids-at -heart love stories with princes or princesses. No point wondering why, in all of these far-away Kingdoms, everybody speak English and the plots are predictably repeated along the same theme. This time is Veronia, of which we only see a few angles around the royal palace and the palace interiors. The Prince, Brendan Fehr, appears a little uneasy in his role, maybe due to his efforts to speak with a British accent. Is it Amerish or Britican ? The American heroine, Jen Lilley, is, perhaps, a little too flirtacious in the attempt to create the impression of a real attraction. Yet, the entire production works well. The palace is impressively royal, the interiors are rich, all characters are essentially Christmas-nice, and kindness prevails in the core of the story. If you, righteously, feel it could have been done better, just see how much more horribly it could have been, when you try to watch "Christmas with a Crown", upcoming on Lifetime channel.

It was a great movie. Very beautiful atmosphere of love and kindness, caring and giving. I like when a movie has a message and it motivates you to do something good. Jen Lilley was just incredible in this movie.