Un prince pour Noël

This has to be satire! It has to be. I can't be convinced otherwise! And in that case, it's amazing! Lol Just every hallmark cliché you could possibly think of making fun of those movies by being every single one of those movies, hahaha. But kind of done perfectly! Like, better than the hallmark movies whilst also making fun of them, haha. I was delighted But if this theory is wrong, alas! That would have made a way better movie...

Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend.

While it isn't anything truly special, it's a decent version of a "journalist in disguise falls in love" trope. Though the object of affection being a prince allows for resources that almost anyone wouldn't turn down.

There certainly is a lot of production put into the movie to maintain the grand perception of royals, but the best part of the movie is the heart felt Christmas vibe of it.

Unfortunately, this is mostly achieved through the secondary characters and them influencing the royal family.

Saw 'A Christmas Prince' with my flatmate on Netflix already in the Christmas spirit. After watching, my overall thoughts were that while 'A Christmas Prince' was watchable it left me torn as to what to make of it.

On one view we have a few performances that make the grade. The best performance as the most well-rounded character by far (the only one to get development beyond cliché) comes from Honor Kneafsey, Emily starts off as a brat initially but grows as the character that one roots for the most. Rose McIver and Ben Lamb also give charming performances and have an easy going romantic chemistry. Alice Krige brings understated dignity to the queen.

'A Christmas Prince' looks pretty good. 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. The music puts one into the festive mood and gives off a cosy nostalgia. Spotting the famous Christmas songs and carols is a delight and there is the serious temptation to sing along.

There is some charm and genuine sweetness here while Amber and Emily's chemistry is very heartfelt. Didn't find myself bored either.

However, the rest of the cast don't make much of an impression, most are bland. Then there is Theo Devaney and Emma Louise Saunders who play their stock villain characters with such broad hamminess that they make over-the-top villain characters in Christmas pantomimes more subtle in comparison.

It is hard to deny too that 'A Christmas Prince', even for trying to take it for what it is, is riddled with clichés, non-stop predictability and contrivance. One has to suspend disbelief at how long it takes for the lie to be exposed, Amber constantly narrowly escaping being caught and how things are resolved far too quickly and easily.

The script throughout is peppered with cheese (especially Simon and Sophia) and mawkish schmaltz, and of the characters although the leads are reasonably likable the only one to have any development is Emily. Simon and Sophia are plot-device material there for the sake of it and the way they're written and their antics jar tonally.

Concluding, very torn on what to think. Part of me can't be too hard on it, but the faults are pretty glaring also. 5/10 Bethany Cox

A very 'schmalzy' story, at the level of the Princess' diaries, but nicely done. Rose McIver is just enough 'innocent looking' to make this work. Nicest performance by Honor Kneafsey as the handicapped princess, gaining confidence from her non-teacher. Of course the bad guy and girl are caricatures. Ben Lamb is a prince as the story demands; Alice Krige appears the run-of-the-mill conservative, old queen, but with a few devious traits she saves the role. In short, sentimental, but just right for Christmas.

Maybe it's just because I'm a fan of Rose McIver, but I legitimately enjoyed A Christmas Prince. Despite all of its cliched moments and completely predictable storyline, I found myself engaged in the story. In fact, even though I fell asleep while watching it, I finished it the next morning because I wanted to. What is happening to me? Do I like Hallmark-esque holiday movies now?