Le Concours de Noël

Well, as I sat down to watch the 2021 Hallmark Christmas movie titled "The Christmas Contest", I have to admit that I wasn't really harboring much of any high expectations. Why? Well, Hallmark tends to just spew these movies out by the dozens and usually following the same blueprint for each and every single movie.

But "The Christmas Contest" might be different, so I gave it a chance.

And while "The Christmas Contest" is watchable, it was just another run-of-the-mill Christmas movie with that archetypical Hallmark feel to it. So if you enjoy these overly sappy Christmas movies that are based around a hate-turns-to-love feel between the two lead performers type of movies, then you will certainly enjoy "The Christmas Contest". And if you are into the archetypical Hallmark Christmas movies, then "The Christmas Contest" is definitely going to be right up your alley.

The acting performances in the movie were good, taking into consideration the limitations of the script and the premise of the whole thing. Candace Cameron Bure and John Brotherton actually does have good on-screen chemistry together. The movie also had the likes of Barbara Niven and Jennifer Higgin on the cast list.

"The Christmas Contest" is an archetypical Hallmark Christmas movie in every meaning of that thing. So writer Joie Botkin didn't really bring much of anything new to the table with this 2021 movie. The movie was as predictable as it was sappy.

My rating of "The Christmas Contest" from director Paule Elle lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars.

Who doesn't love Candace Cameron Bure in almost anything? Two (just about past their freshness date) ex-lovers and friends reconnect during a baking and dance contest and the catty foreplay is obvious to the audience they were meant to be together. Ben (John Brotherton) is a successful sports jock and Lara (Candace Cameron Bure) is living her dream as a successful CEO. Both being very competitive, they relish the opportunity to once again compete against one another.

This is not one of those thought provoking Christmas themed films where the piano and a tandem of melancholy horns lead the audience to a big reveal that brings tears to your eyes. Rather, this is a romantic Christmas themed film where the leading man Ben, mentors an introverted 12 year old boy named Jayce (Matteus Lunot) break through and adjust to making new friends. Lara on the other hand stops listening to her mother who is always trying to motivate Lara to be better at everything, to where Lara just wants to enjoy a fun little contest and find true love.

Mrs. Shullivan and I enjoyed this simple story line and romantic themed film, especially since Candace Cameron Bure starred in it.

I give the film a 7 out of 10 IMDb rating.

I was looking forward to this movie because Candace is one of my favorite actresses and I like Barbara Niven.

The storyline was boring and the comedy ended up being stupid rather than funny.

Hallmark is so NOT hitting the mark on Christmas movies this year. Thank goodness for Lifetime and GAC.

I never understood Candace's character. The male lead went from egotistical to caring in just a matter of a few scenes. It didn't develop naturally. I never felt chemistry between the leads. The mother daughter relationship was hard to define. I usually love Candace Cameron Bure's movies. I like Barbara Nevin. But this could have been better.

4/10 - while Candace Cameron Bure is a Hallmark mainstay, she is simply going to have to get better scripts and stories if she expects us to stick around after the uninspired and frankly boring Christmas movies she has put out the last couple years (this one very much included)