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If Mariah hadn't been in this movie I would have scored it higher. Her acting was poor and there were all these awkward close ups. Did they film half of her scenes later so she didn't have to spend too much time with the other actors? It was just bizarre and threw off the flow of the movie every time she was on. Otherwise a typical Hallmark Christmas movie. If Mariah would have stuck with directing and not acting on this, I probably would have scored it an 8 or 9.

6/10 - she might be able to sing, but Mariah Carey cannot act to save her life

Mariah Carey directs this Hallmark Channel Christmas romantic comedy. Single mother and fashion designer Lacey Chabert returns with her daughter to Silver Falls, Ohio. There are the usual crises, including Ms. Carey's evil PTA mom and Brennan Elliott as the music teacher who has had a crush on her since high school. In the end everything turns out fine.

Ms. Chabert is fine in her role with a couple of lovely small scenes and there is a big product placement for Folger's Coffee (perhaps this mention in the review will get me a few bucks from the Smucker company). There is also a big set piece musical number at the end, featuring Fina Strazza singing a club-music "Santa's Gonna Make It Right This Christmas" and Kevin Chamberlin plays a suspiciously knowledgeable and white-whiskered school janitor very nicely.

All in all, it turns into a typical Hallmark seasonable romcom in which the competent actors and crew do a good job, but very little extra is added.

Hallmark knows how to make the best Christmas movies. This is no exception. Apparently directed by Mariah Carey, I expected this to be disastrous but was very pleasantly surprised! Carey even had a role in the film, which was entertaining as I'm about 98 percent sure she intentionally tries to act as badly as she possibly can. No one can be that bad. No one. Also FOLGER'S CLASSIC ROAST.

Lacey Chabert plays Kristin, a single mother whose dreams of being a famous designer went up in smoke in Los Angeles. Admitting failure, she packs up herself and her daughter Emily and they drive back to Silver Falls, Ohio where she grew up. Although both struggled to adjust at the very beginning, they obviously overcome that thanks to the help of her Aunt Sarah and Danny, the cute music teacher who helps Emily break out of her shell.

Highlights:

• Hallmark has a knack of finding the best child actors to portray these kids and this one did not disappoint. Fina Strazza is a tremendous little actress and if she should choose to continue, will make a big name for herself someday.
• Brennan Elliott. I love him so much. I love any movie he is in.
• Always love Kathy Najimy! She plays the same offbeat kooky character she does in every film, but she does it well.
• FOLGER'S CLASSIC ROAST (kind of awesome how they didn't even attempt to make their product placement a tiny bit subtle)
• The Santa dancing scene. Who can't not smile while watching him?

As long as you aren't expecting an award-winning flick and just watch it for what it is, a heartwarming cheerful holiday movie, I think you'd be happy you watched it. Definitely recommend!

'A Christmas Melody' definitely had interest value. Hallmark have shown more than once that they were capable of making watchable and more films, a lot of them actually being a lot better and less mundane than they sound on paper. Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliot have been quite good in other things, both have been in some not so good films but both are often among the better things of them. Expectations though were also quite mixed, as is the case with a lot of Hallmark films.

Namely because despite admiring Mariah Carey as a singer (beautiful and distinctive voice with a unique and quite insane vocal range), her acting in 'Glitter' left a lot to be desired and she somehow sounded like a very odd choice for director (first time for her too). 'A Christmas Melody' actually turned out better than expected, some of the usual Hallmark flaws can be seen here as well as a couple of new ones but there are also a lot of strengths that help make it watchable.

There are quite a number of good things. Chabert and Elliott are both immensely engaging and radiate in charm, playing likeable characters that have personality, have some character growth and any flaws are not overwritten. They connect beautifully together in their chemistry, they look at ease with each other and it was clear they at least cared for each other. The relationship didn't feel like it took too long to develop and doesn't move too fast. Fina Strazza gives one of the better child performances seen in a Hallmark film in some while, they have always varied in this aspect but Strazza was a natural in front of the camera and doesn't come over as too sickly sweet or petulant (her character actually came over as one of the more realistic ones.

Kathy Najimy is fun in her role. The chemistry between the cast is natural and any conflict does have some tension that doesn't feel dragged out. The story is far from perfect, but generally doesn't feel dull and is amusingly good natured, endearingly light-hearted and it has a warm heart without an overload of sappiness. The script flows naturally generally and doesn't come over as too cheesy or sentimental. The characters are not meaty but aren't too sketchy, while this is a case of the music being infectious and nostalgic. Most of 'A Christmas Melody' looks good, especially the scenery.

By all means, it's less than perfect. It is not at all hard to figure out how 'A Christmas Melody' is going to end, with most of them following a similar formula with not much variation complete with many long well worn out cliches. There are glimpses of that in 'A Christmas Melody', especially later on. The ending expectedly is a bit too rushed and too neatly resolved. It is a bit cheesy and routine early on.

A couple of the most distracting flaws involve Carey, whose scenes did not gel with the rest of the film and felt like they were inserted from another film made in another time slot. She still sounds great (though there could have been a little less emphasis, even for a film centered around it), but if she was trying to make her fairly irrelevant character impossible to like let alone root for she not only succeeded she also goes well overboard on it and does it in a monotone way. Didn't think much of her direction, too much of an over-reliance on unfocused close ups when she's on screen that also have too much of a "look at me" quality.

Concluding, above average but not great. 6/10

''A Christmas Melody'' is a new Hallmark Channel's movie. Fashion designer Kristin Parson (Lacey Chabert) sells her house in LA, and with her daughter, she is coming home, in town, where she used to live as a child. In Silver Falls, Ohio, she meets a music teacher Danny Collier (Brennan Elliott), who had a crash on her, since they were a kids. Now, Danny is Emiliy's (Fina Strazza) teacher.

It's a nice movie. Mariah Carey, as a director did a good job. I really love Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott, think that they were amazing. Fina Strazza is a surprise for me.

At the end, nice movie, with very good actors.

So Mariah directed this movie, which is no small feat. Her acting is really bad, which is surprising, because she is actually really good in "Precious." The best part of the movie, though, is that Mariah clearly shot all of her scenes separately from all the other actors. All of her acting is done in close up shots with special lighting and camera filters to make her look like a glamorous movie star. When the camera cuts to the other actor in the scene with her, they look like they're in a totally different movie. It's such a typical Mariah diva move to make sure she looks different and better than everyone else.

Enjoyed this movie, of course typical Hallmark fare. At first, I thought this was Mariah Carey's acting debut, but according to the Comcast program guide, she has done two others. One she flopped,the other did apparently very well. It seemed like she was so intent on directing herself, with the many spotlighted close- ups that her acting fell flat in this movie. The real star of the movie was Fina Strazza who played nine year old Emily Parson.

I was concerned that this was going to become all about Mariah Carey, but thankfully she is good in her supporting role and it's Hallmark stalwarts Lacey Chabert and Elliot Brennan who carry this above average film from the channel.

Don't get me wrong, I love all Christmas shows, Mariah Carey and Lacey Chabert, but the closeups of Mariah were starting to freak me out. Was she pregnant while filming? That might make sense. Aside from the freaky head shots, I enjoyed this show.

I've followed Lacey in many, if not all, of the movies she has made for Hallmark and have enjoyed every one of them. Mariah's music worked well in this movie and it didn't disappoint. The young girl who played Emily was a cutie. I can't wait to see more of her on Hallmark in the future.

Although, the plots are the same on the Christmas shows, I don't mind and will continue watching the Hallmark channel for years to come.

Fun fact: the us was filmed at my old elementary school and i went there when it was made;)

Mother and daughter, Kristin (Lacey Chabert) and Emily (Fina Strazza), are forced to move from LA to Ohio due to financial difficulties. It's a big move, but they connect with a couple of friends, and they reconnect with family. The school's music teacher, Danny (Brennan Elliott) helps Emily adapt to her new school and befriends Kristin.

This is a charming Hallmark holiday romance. Though Strazza steals many of her scenes, Chabert and Elliott are fun to watch as the romantic leads. Director Mariah Carey plays a role; she is the antagonistic school mother who does her best to belittle Kristin. Kevin Chamberlin deserves mention as Thomas, the school custodian who befriends Emily; they both deserve mention for their scenes that sparkle with Christmas magic. In a small role, Kathy Najimy shines as the aunt who welcomes them back to Ohio.

This is an enjoyable holiday tale that focuses on relationships.

In spite of overwhelming urges for Folgers coffee, I still fell asleep. The casting is all over. Like these people were supposed to have gone to school together. Lacey who's perpetually 12 went to school with the male lead and Mariah who are both clearly much older....I don't think so. I tried to stay with it to see how Mariah would fit it and be redeemed. I assume she sings at some point, because otherwise that would just be a waste. Overall it was watchable to a point, but slow and couldn't keep my interest long enough. I'll try to watch it when it airs again, but until then 5 stars.

Most reviews I'm reading are complaining about headshots (particularly Mariah ones) but I can honestly say I didn't find it distracting. I thought the film had a warm fuzzy feeling and cuteness to it particularly the Emily character played by Fina Strazza. Many scenes felt magical and ultimately fairy tale like from the perspective of a child. Mariah was like a irritating pantomime villain and I think she was supposed to be. Lacey Chabert plays our main protagonist Kristin Parson, she was a likeable character, kind hearted and wants what's best for her daughter. The plot is simple and predictable but most Christmas films are. It's an easy watch no Christmas classic but a cheesy fun Fest to kick back and relax with. A light-hearted romcom.

This Mariah Carey directed vehicle is semi-notorious for its unintentionally funny softly filtered closeups of Carey's face and the jaw dropping product placements of Folgers Classic Roast Coffee. But beyond that it is an above average Hallmark Christmas romance.

Dress designer Kristin Parson returns to her hometown after her boutique fails in L. A. She gets on the wrong side of the head of the PTA (Mariah Carey) by her sheer existence, gets her sulky daughter settled in to small town life, saves the Christmas show with her fashion designer talents, and falls in love with the music teacher. It is all capped off with a final performance by her talented daughter who goes from sulky and annoying to appealing and sympathetic thanks to acting and singing talents of the young actress. Also Kathy Najimi is in this and of course is a bright spot. Also a white bearded mysterious janitor.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW Christmas MOVIES AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!

A single mother moves back to her hometown with her young daughter. Having a hard time adjusting, the daughter seeks help from her music teacher to write a song for the Christmas variety show.

Mariah Carey did fine job. The story is cute. For a first time director she knew how to stage a scene and create a mood.

Is this a groundbreaking film "NO". Did the film fail? "NO" The film has a few messages here and there but that's fine with me. Its entertaining. I would watch this again "Maybe". I hope this film was a big enough success that Mariah gets another chance to direct another film

Fina Strazza is an amazing little talent with the cutest expressions and timing; she truly outshines the veteran cast.

Lacey and Brennan are magic together as well and their on screen romance is on par with their other 'All of My Heart" movies. Lacey is always charming and Brennan is always witty and comical, they make a great team.

In my opinion (and of course everyone is entitled to theirs), Mariah would have been better served to stay in the director seat. I just don't care for her as an actress and I think a more bubbly/peppy actress would have been better suited. But I will give it to Mariah that her directing was good.

Lastly, the Folgers things was just too funny. The first time was subtle, but the second time you couldn't have gotten anymore over the top obvious with that one; made me chuckle pretty good.

For many Hallmark Christmas films, nice remains the fair term. This case is not an exception. But nice remains proper for few virtues of it>

• the young actress playing Emily
• Kevin Chamberlin as Thomas
• the energetic last song.

And, sure, Maria Carey, not last but her contribution - as director and actress reminds too much the videos defining her. Sure, Christmas and romance and the fair option , nice Santa and happiness in large ways , a puppy for to convince at whole . So, nice.

Well, whaddaya know - every small town that someone moves back "home" to from the big city doesn't have to be in the snowy mountains somewhere. Christmas can actually happen in small towns everywhere. And the move in this one is from Los Angeles where nine-year old Emily Parson has never seen a snowfall. She also didn't know her dad, who died when she was just two years old. So, after the trauma of leaving the place and people she knew, she settles into her new place rather quickly and easily. Helping her with this is a disappearing school janitor, Thomas, and her mom and the school music teacher, Danny Collier. He just happened to be a classmate of her mom in high school. But mom, Kristin, has a hard time remembering.

"A Christmas Melody" shows some things that most films like this don't. Kristin has a little denial thinking that she always loved growing up in Silver Falls, Ohio. But Danny recalls how she couldn't wait to leave to pursue her dreams. That helps explain her dim memory of him and other classmates and people she has trouble remembering. It's a characteristic of people - not wrong or bad or anything, just a characteristic of those who look to the future with big dreams to the point that they don't see and/or appreciate and live the moment and the people around them. Even after moving back home and getting a good feeling about it, Kristin doesn't understand this. She says to Danny, "That's the problem. I don't know where my future's going."

After Kristin couldn't make it with her own clothing design boutique, she moves way across country with her daughter. Back home, she has Aunt Sarah who owns a local diner. I think that's overdone as a part of so many of these films, but it's probably an easier thing for the writers rather than having people meeting on and off in stores and other places. A very cute aspect of the story is the appearances of Thomas at times with Emily, and then his sudden disappearance when she turns around. She soon makes the connection of who he really is. The story has a nice build up and completion.

The cast are all quite good. Mariah Carey plays a snooty, local bigwig who looks down her nose at Kristin until the end. She does that role very well, so that the audience knows it will relish her comeuppance. But that turns out nice because of the nice nature of this story and film. Oh, and the connection will quickly be evident between the characters of a disappearing Tom, Santa Claus, and a poor street beggar at the start of the film. That's when Kristin stops to give him the only money she has on her -- the first $5 she made in her boutique business, after she closes her shop for good.

Most people should enjoy this as a nice Christmas holiday film with a different enough story, good plot and very good cast. Here are a couple favorite lines from the film.

Emily Parson, repeating to her mom what she heard from Thomas, "Well, if you act negative, you can't expect anything positive to happen."

Hayley, Kristin's friend from L. A., "He thinks you're moving to L. A., so he's doing that mean boy thing." Aunt Sarah, "Oh, she's right. Why he pretends he doesn't care because he knows you're leaving."

When this Hallmark film was made (2015) Lacey Chabert was 33, Brennan Elliott was 40 and Mariah Carey was 46. Yet, they are cast as "former classmates" in the same school and grade. That is just lazy on the part of casting. Do they EVEN READ THE SCRIPT? The actors on Hallmark seem to be interchangeable. The "boy / girl" combos seem to match everyone in their stable, at least once. They certainly could have found three actors who were close to the same age (a year or two either way) and use three disparate actors on other projects.

There is something about Mariah Carey that makes me ill. I truly cannot watch her. I have to turn away or change the channel. The skin on her face seems to be so tight that she looks like her skin is ready to pop open and ooze. Perhaps they could use a whole lot less filler and grease and wild coloring on her cheeks. She looks a bit like a mannequin or a mad rodent. Her acting is pathetic. Yet, she looks SMUG while ruining her scenes in the movie. I understand that she makes a great deal of income with her "music" (whatever that is) so I wonder why she also feels a need to inflict herself on an audience who only want to watch a good Hallmark film.

Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott are so familiar and so "accomplished" in this medium, so it is not fair to them to hang an albatross like Mariah Carey around their necks, just because Mariah Carey wants "everything' and refuses to say "no" to her excessive desires. I have known many singers who are not good actors. MC is in that category. Why can't she accept her inability to act with grace and move on? Why must SHE have "everything" even if her talent does not qualify for "everything?" At the very least, MC could take a few years of private acting classes and not demand Hallmark provide her with unlimited "on the job training."

Mariah Carey directs and has a side part as an overbearing head PTA mom with mean girl attitude.

Lacey Chabert is the lead a designer that must move home from LA to Ohio as her business failed.

Skip It!

Lacey Chabert is fine in the lead but Brennan Elliot and the daughter make this film good. He plays a very likable character. It is worth watching. Placing Lacey Chabert with a daughter was helpful to her character and acting.

The film is directed by Mariah Carey and she plays a small part in the film. She plays a character you will not like. I didn't notice any of her songs in the movie. The story line listed in IMDb was completely wrong- so I submitted a new one. It is about a widow reluctantly returning to her home town with her daughter and not wanting to leave. The one that was listed says "A gift of music transports people back to another time and place where they find their truest feelings." That is not this movie.

Now I have seen all six of Lacey Chabert Christmas movies. This is probably the second best. A Wish for Christmas-2016 was the best.