Jingle Bell Heist

Watching this felt like an eternity of uneventful scenes stitched together.

Too many flawed things that just don't make sense. It's just a bit too black and white, cliche and convenient plot armor.

If you just need some noise on the side then this is for you. If you want an interesting heist, a proper romance or comedy - stay away. There is none in this movie.

Sophia works two jobs to make ends meet, her mother is sick in hospital, and she gets by by pinching. Nick, a former employee at Sterlings department store, has access to the cameras, spots Sophia pinching, and makes her an offer.

It's very likeable - a definite mix of genres: part crime caper, part seasonal romance, part comedy, and there's just enough to tug at the heartstrings too.

It's a British Christmas film, so there's a faint whiff of cynicism. Sometimes you need a festive film that isn't quite Hallmark, and all its syrupy charm. Don't get me wrong, it's goofy, but even the outlandish Sterlings are grounded.

I love the idea of a chic UK department store, where all the glamorous assistants wore neckerchiefs. Sadly, those days ended with Thatcherism, although it is short-staffed, so that rings true. It's like an export version of Britain, with dry martinis and tuxedos - but it works.

Olivia Holt and Connor Swindells were a cracking duo, combining so well. Not your usual Christmas movie hires - two people who don't feel as if they're living inside a snow globe. Lucy Punch knows how to give us a spoilt princess, but this one has a twist.

Heart and humour - this one's a cut above the usual selection of festive flicks.

8/10.

It is what it is, festive fodder, but my word it's a lot of fun. It's a pastiche/nod to 60s heist movies in places and there are some fantastic laugh out loud moments, the cast is great, good chemistry and very watchable. It's silly, of course it is, the title tells you that, but it's a worth a watch; if you want your Christmas movies to be highbrow (who does) you're in the wrong place. Have a mince pie, get a cuppa and enjoy the glorious nonsense.

My IMDB threshold score for watching a film is usually 6.5, preferably 7+. So I am a bit conflicted as to how to score Jingle Bell Heist. It is certainly worth much more than the current 5.8, but do I score it higher to try and compensate for the low score?

The first thing to say is is not a rubbish Hallmark standard Christmas film. Having said that, it's no Elf or Miracle 34th Street either.

It does have all the Christmas cliches, for example a completely unrealistic department store which seems to have lots of customers and lots of people serving but no actual products on any shelves. But it also has some realistic pub and hospital scenes that add refreshing credibility, to an obviously incredible (non-credible?) story. The dialogue is refreshingly realistic with people responding and saying things like real people would, as opposed to cardboard cut-outs.

The plot is good. The pace is good. The acting is good. The humour is good. I liked it for what it was. My wife didn't like it at all.

I give it a 7 even though it is really a 6 or 6.5.

I was shocked how much I enjoyed this. This is not a Hallmark style Christmas rom com. Usually this isn't my thing but I'm a fan of Olivia Holt and of heist films. It's December so I figured why not. It's #1 on Netflix so I'll give it a chance. Didn't even think I would finish but I thought the humor had some moments.

There isn't as much romance as you would expect from one of these films, the main plot is about the heist. That's probably why I liked it as much as I did. The soundtrack and the twist are what raised my rating. I thought how it ended specifically the last 20 minutes went was really great stuff that I didn't see coming.

I would definitely give this a chance and I think you'll find out right away if you'll like it or not.