A Tale of Two Christmases

I don't understand why so many are confused by or stymied by the dual timeline but I have my suspicions.

The key to which reality she's in at any given time is even minor attention to the detail of what she's wearing. The split screen at the start gives a big clue- in one reality she's wearing a winter white coat while in the other she's wearing a bright white coat. I won't even enumerate the many others.

The movie was cute and I didn't hate it but it was another mediocre Hallmark by the numbers romance they work into everything (over-achieving, over-dressed women, frequent , very long commercial breaks, etc.) complete with the picture perfect ending.

A nice Christmas film, using a not so original idea but being far by boring.

The only problem is the two complicated story by alternatives. And their use in not most inspired manner.

But, sure, some romance, some humor, a Santa real special are pretty good points. The too fragile chemistry between she and the men of her life is another little problem. But Christmas atmosphere, like the supporting actors are reasonable solutions source and, in essence, this is the matters thing, not ignoring the target of this genre of films.

Not impressive but just nice . In my case, the idea of alternative events is the good point of film.

I thought it would be a ground hog, family man, it'sa wonderful life style plot.

It's not. The concept almost made me not even want to watch it, but I did. Two tales, two different timelines, two different mains. All happening at the same time.... Or something. So weird.

Didn't love it. The main character played the role well, and the couple had some chemistry, but I think the screenwriter could've used some help .

Also, Candy canes dissolve in water. It's not gum.

They Did NOT need to cut off her hair...🙄 if they wanted a reason for a makeover, they could've at least used some red and green gum in her hair.

A tale of 2 Christmases was 2 Christmases too many. I've been working at clearing my DVR of Christmas movies. I liked the idea of two different timelines, but not the end result.

The lead actress had no chemistry with either lead actor and I didn't care who she ended up with. It was just sort of meh. Maybe they needed a stronger lead.

I wasted 2 hours watching this, but won't have to do it again. I would rather watch repeats of Three wise men and a baby or Haul out the Holly.

Christmas at the Golden Dragon did a nice job telling the multiple stories and how they intermingled with each other. If you're looking for a movie with multiple storylines, Golden Dragon or Holiday Spectacular would be my recommendation.

Over the years, Hallmark has done a few of these "alternate reality" stories, and they are a break from the normal straight through romance which check all the same boxes ... except half of this one checked those boxes anyway.

Our female lead (who reminded me a LOT of Annette O'Toole) winds up in simultaneous alternate realities via a not so clear split screen scene where in one she suffers a delay and barely misses her flight home and stays in Chicago an extra day and spends time with the dreamy lawyer from a firm in the building her company occupies. In the other, she makes her flight and spends her planned Christmas with family and old friends.

Unlike many of these stories, there's no "good boyfriend/bad boyfriend" dynamic. I like both guys. In fact, I liked the lawyer best. The "hometown boyfriend" was a bit of a Drama King in my opinion. That was one of the common tropes ... the hometown guy where they'd both had unrequited love many years ago. The question is ... which will she choose when she's back to one reality?

Yes, there is ONE timeline goof near the end. Can you spot it, too?