Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

7.4 stars.

This is one that I didn't hate even with the low ratings. I guess I will have to watch every Hallmark and Family movie in existence, because I've found myself getting lost in the world of real estate and mistletoe of all things, with a rating under 6 stars and so it's hit and miss, but rolling the dice don't seem to work, because this movie ain't bad. I mean this is as corny a plot as it gets I suppose, but isn't it all just fluff these days anyways? The story focuses a bit too much on the sale of a house. Who will buy it, why, and how? Its just weird and way overblown for a simple house sale. It's about two real estate agents who compete for the most sales and rentals and they eventually realize they are attracted to each other. The man goes from arrogant jerk to instant nice guy in the midst of one scene, it's funny, but also endearing, but still funny as I watch his whole demeanor change from bad guy harasser to nice guy attractive. I have never seen him in a movie prior. And the lead female, I've not watched anything she's in, but I like her style, she has a down to earthness that is relaxing and contagious. So they are starting to like each other as more than coworkers, but then there's a few hitches, and then they bounce back. She has a niece staying with her and the niece has a neat little side story too. Oddly, this cast of characters have a synergy that makes for above average entertainment. It's not a film I could round up to 8, however.

Meet Me Under The Mistletoe (2023) -

Right from the off I didn't like Simon Arblaster as Jeff.

Sarah Fisher in her role of Eva was more natural, but I still didn't find her particularly appealing. I certainly didn't understand how Jeff suddenly decided to be nice to her having obviously been a Dick to her for at least a year beforehand.

Where did the animosity go, surely it would have only got worse as the two of them went toe to toe in an attempt to get a house sold before Christmas and it actually didn't grip me at all. It was all a bit weird and the conversations between them were vague and wishy washy.

Most of the supporting artists did a good job and they actually had some good ones, so it was a shame that the leads were just too simple.

I would say that Mitch (Erik Athavale) has felt like he's all over these films this year but he's such an odd 'Steve Buscemi' character that he's really seemed quite an odd choice and irks me for some reason.

The standard "15 minutes from the end" fallout was stupid, Eva could have just let him finish what he was saying and avoided the whole upset. It was the weakest way to cause a "Problem" ever. They should have shown Jeff and her Niece Bonnie (Jerni Stewart) plotting, but with Eva only misunderstanding it, not initially overreacting to it. That would have been another tired way to do it too, but it still would have been 10 times better, reverse no one would just let that argument go without standing up for their actions, regardless of whether the other person didn't want to hear it.

Aside from a fairly lacklustre feel to it in general, I don't know it was missing some glamour or warmth or something, I just couldn't get enthused.

Overall this would not be one that I would come back to, I was wrapping presents while it was on, which was the only reason I didn't turn it off (I was using the remote control to weigh the paper down in order to cut the tape).

I'm going to need to see more effort from the producers to keep from just re-recording the ones that they did make well, back in the day, because a lot of these more recent attempts are obviously just churned out to make a quick buck.

4.16/10.

Sarah and Simon do a fantastic job sharing a story of how two rivals with personal internal struggles come together at work to accomplish a huge project. The push-pull of the relationship gets your heart pumping at key moments. Love the concept of a niece living with a relative for education purposes, including that the niece is not a boneheadded teenager but a balanced teen that can enjoy the education pursuit and still enjoy the romance of her aunt. Extremely purehearted movie with a few Christmas capers tied in. Despite other reviews, I think the chemstry is fantastic and Sarah Fisher's natural beauty is a huge draw. Robin Dunne is one of my favs as he has done awesome work and this one is no exception. All the supporting cast is FABULOUS! NIce to see Paul and Jan together again this year as a power couple! Enjoy!!

I wasn't going to watch this one, but then I saw the ratings were pretty high. I'm now wondering what those people were thinking.

Plot involves two real estate rivals forced to work together to sell a home.

We know where that's going.

From the previews, it appeared Eva would be sweet, and she is...when she's not being bat-poop crazy.

Jeff looks like a deer in the headlights at times.

Supporting cast consists of a 16-year-old who looks 25, and a couple selling the home who seems to be in every Hallmark/GAF movie ever.

I'm thinking the more people who watch this the lower the ratings will go.

My thought is to spare you.

In the beginning, I hated Jeff with a passion. He was everything I hate which is one thing, but the Jeff of the first 20 minutes was the antitype of a romantic lead. Guess what? His personality magically softened, as well as his attitude toward Eva. Instantly, which is typical in these movies. I had problems with Eva too, even though she was a little more generous and upbeat. But her arrogance and competitiveness almost matched Jeff's.

What was worse, was the actors. Sarah Fisher often looked like she had severe gastric discomfort. Her delivery was poor. Simon Arblaster wasn't much better less the uncomfortable demeanor. The two have no chemistry. They each look so uncertain when being nice or saying something nice to the other. Most of these movies have friends commenting on how the couple must be in love because of the "way you look at each other". There are none of those looks here.

Many of the supporting actors were also bad. One exception was Jerni Stewart as Bonnie. She is meant to be appealing from the start plus being the mediator. Only trouble is that she looks and acts like an adult or at least college age. The actor is 22.

The dialogue was a little flat. The movie lacks the spark that makes it fun.

The story is slightly unusual with two competing realtors working together to sell one house. But the point is to throw Jeff and Eva together so they can develop a relationship. Selling the house becomes their Christmas project together. There isn't much of a story except for Eva's dream of being a novelist which she has put aside while she sells houses.