Jolly Good Christmas

This is a Hallmark movie that worked, with a British cast and filmed in London, England. Strange to hear Will Kemp with an American accent, it wasn't perfect but it worked. Reshama Shetty was very good as Anji, she was very natural. The leads had chemistry which always shows on the big screen or small one. The supporting cast of James Faulkner, Callum Blue, Jules Knight and others were very good.

This wasn't the usual Hallmark movie, the lead character is a male not a female and it had more depth to it. There were screwball comedy elements and a Christmas market that was very Dickensian. Will Kemp was a ballet dancer and the dancing scene at the charity event was probably choreographed by Will.

Very much enjoyed this movie. Production value was very good, as were the actors - who were refreshing for their maturity.

Yes, we've seen the personal shopper storyline before. But this one was done well.

It also was delightful to see how ethnic Indians are integrated into British society; what coould be more British than owning a pub?

I loved the British scenery, and the reference to the King tells me this was filmed later in the year - or the producers took the time to update one scene.

The true test is how many times I'd watch this again. I could probably watch this 5 times or so, hence it rates an 8.

I enjoyed the more sophisticated plot and atmosphere of this as opposed to the small town v. City life plus festival. I loved the London setting. Although the plot was certainly not original, it almost was. I liked both characters and the actors portrayals of each. The chemistry between them really sizzled. And it was romantic rather than friendly as is all too common with Hallmark.

An American architect working in London has got himself almost engaged to the bosses daughter. He goes with a gift card for a Christmas Present, it is a big red flag. When a professional gift buyer mocks him for it, he decides to hire her to pick out the perfect gift for his girlfriend. They have shopping adventures all around London and as they get to know each other, they fall in love. He learns the value of family and Christmas blah blah blah. And she learns love is the perfect gift.

I remember Reshma Shetty from Royal Pains, and she was great in this. Will Kemp was just as charming. Good mix of romance with professional drama. I loved the small dose of Indian family life and culture as well. Definitely a Winner.

Overall, I found this movie charming. I love the gorgeous and very likeable Will Kemp, and Reshma Shetty is beautiful. Her character in this movie was quite natural and relatable, and I thought the chemistry between the two was great. It was easy to see how love could grow between these two,

The trouble I had, which constantly distracted me, was that poor Will Kemp was really struggling with the American accent. (He is British.) I'm not sure if his character was supposed to have been a New Yorker, born and bred, but he often sounded as if he came from the most "flat 'a'" regions of Minnesota.

The accent was really a little bit all over the place, but not only that - The character's speech was simply written strangely, as if the writer was doing his best to imagine how an "American guy" might speak.

I've noticed that Australians seem to understand us Americans, our activities and our speech patterns pretty well. The British and Canadians, however, seem to think American males are all cowboys, hayseeds or frat boys, and overly casual even in the most formal situations.

Just as an example, when the Will Kemp character meets the female lead's parents and they ask if he is an architect, he replies, "Uh-huh." They ask him another related question and he again says, "Uh-huh." !!! In my world, a man who has attained the level of education of a successful architect would not be uncouth! When speaking with an older couple he had just met, he would reply with, "Yes, I am," - or even "Yes, Sir," especially if he's from the American South - but never "uh-huh!"

In another scene, he meets a man who is going to interview him, and when the man says, "Hello," the Will Kemp character actually replies "Hey." What??!! The writer must think we Americans are inclined to just throw our jackets over a chair, take our shoes off and pop open a beer, no matter what the setting or situation.

Mr. Kemp also seemed to have some trouble simply moving as an American man would normally move...which is "normally!" We don't really wag our heads around or walk differently from the Brits or anyone else.

Before I lay all this on Will Kemp, I have to note that it might have been the director forcing him into some of this.

(I was an amateur stage actress for decades, and the director can make or break you, and has the power to make you look and feel foolish. As much as you might plead, "I don't think the character would ever do this," what the director says usually goes. I had many great directors whose direction I trusted completely, though. I'm just speculating. Hate to blame Will if it's not his fault!)

Aside from these annoyances, it really is a pretty good movie. I got to see a lot of scenic London, and as I mentioned, there was a sweet chemistry between the two leads. Did I mention Will Kemp is gorgeous? (Ha! Sorry. Couldn't help it.)

How sad that the wonderful, attractive and so talented Will Kemp was so mis-used in this film. The story was clever, sweet, and adorable! The views of London were thrilling, and the young woman lead actress was beautiful and charming and quite a good actress.

All that said, my only focus has to be on how poorly Will Kemp was portrayed in this romantic story. Will is a ballet dancer. He has phenomenal physical grace and presence. He moves, he holds his body, his head in the most classic and lovely manner. To have him portrayed here as an American with almost a ridiculous script to follow, was a sheer waste, and almost an insult to this very lovely, talented man.

The phony American accent he had to use was so distracting, and so poorly pronounced, it was painful to watch him go through that script. Why could he simply not have been British?

I wonder if the Hallmark actors have any input or say into the characters they portray. If Will Kemp is simply under contract and has to do what he is "assigned" to do, poor fellow. This was so far beneath his skill set and his lovely personal image.

All that aside, this was a charming story. The young woman lead was perfect in every scene. Kudos also to the actors portraying her parents.

The only problem with all of it was the poor use, the sheer mis-use of the wonderful Will Kemp. Next movie, please, some dignity for this lovely man, and maybe even some dancing. He is a phenomenal as a dancer and an actor. Look back at Royal Matchmaker.

Hallmark, let's be a bit more kind to him. When such stunning grace and talent is available, why not use to the fullest and show us what you've got?