Un prince pour Noël

If you're a man it probably isn't your type of film. But, if you're a female you will love it.

Lovely, if entirely predictable, TV movie about a prince (Kirk Barker) from a small European country who comes to America to escape an arranged marriage to a woman he doesn't love. While there he meets and falls in love with a young woman (Viva Bianca) struggling to keep her diner open and take care of her younger sister after their parents were killed in a car accident.

Viva Bianca is just wonderful. I have seen her in a number of things but this is the first time I've seen her playing such a sensitive and "nice" character, and she does a remarkable job. A lot of times with made-for-television movies, the actors will phone it in and just show up to read their lines and collect their pay. But here you can tell she actually takes care with the part and tries to breathe some life and personality into what could easily be a cardboard role (and has been in similar movies I've seen). Her American accent is also superb in this. I've heard her use one before but this time it seems softer than her normal tone and there aren't as many of the usual 'tells' you get when some actors of other nationalities attempt to use an American accent. Again, she's putting an effort forth here that you can't help but appreciate given how lazy other actors can be with these things. For his part, Kirk Barker is good as the male lead. He's a little stiff but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that much of that is intentional for the part, as I haven't seen him in anything before this. He and Viva don't exactly have sizzling chemistry but they manage to sell the romance well. Kelly LeBrock, Maxwell Caulfield, and Mark Lindsay Chapman are all fine in supporting parts. A little cheesy at times (especially LeBrock) but fine. Aaron O'Connell plays Viva's douchey ex. He makes for a fun villain. This same year saw him play the good guy in another Christmas TV movie alongside Katrina Law (another Spartacus alum like Viva). For a guy who's probably only cast for his looks, he does an admirable job. The highlight of the supporting players is Brittany Beery as the sister of our heroine. She's full of life and charm and just brightens up every scene that she's in. She and Viva share a great rapport that makes it easier to buy them as sisters.

As I said before, the movie's very predictable and routine. But, then again, most TV movies are. What makes this one work is a nice cast, led by the lovely Viva Bianca in an enchanting turn, and some beautiful western New York scenery. If you enjoy movies of this type, you'll likely enjoy this one. Directed and co-written by Fred Olen Ray, of Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers and Bad Girls from Mars fame. Wait, what?

It has one great line: "Two men in my life, and the honest one turns out to be the used car salesman."

I spent the first half of the film trying to figure out why, if Duncan flew from Europe and was going to NYC, he happened to be driving through the middle of nowhere on the way to NYC.

That was the big mystery in this otherwise it is a fairly predictable and pedestrian retelling of an oft-told tale.

"A Prince for Christmas" is one you will be able to watch twice each season. The actors are likeable (a MUST for these sorta - cheesy template Christmas romances), the writing is a level above the usual, and the characters are nice people you don't mind spending a couple hours with. It was shot in USA and in England (and a long - shot set piece in easter Europe), and unlike many of the seasonal films, it does not look cheaply made (which is not to say it looks like a multi-million dollar tent event, but it looks like the producers cared). This is a successful entry into the genre, and one which you should take the time to watch -- twice if you've the time.

'A Prince for Christmas' was watched with fairly mixed expectations. Despite the whole royalty and commoner story in a Christmas setting is not novel territory and was used many times since by particularly Hallmark with variable success. It did though sound like a charming pleasant diversion if done right, regardless of lack of originality and budget, as long as expectations weren't too high and people bear in mind that this is not meant to be Oscar-worthy material.

Seeing 'A Prince for Christmas' myself with an open mind, while not finding it great it is also not horrible. Am not going to say that it is not devoid of fairly major flaws, as that is not the case, but considering that the advertising was pretty cheesy 'A Prince for Christmas' turned out to be a lot better than the advertising and the title (which is a giveaway enough to not expect too much) suggest. It knew what it set out to do and does it in a way that is above average on the whole.

There are plenty of good things here. The settings and costumes are quite nice, as is the nostalgic-sounding soundtrack. While the direction is not exceptional, it does well at giving some vim to unoriginal material, doesn't get too heavy and manages to get well above average performances from most of the cast. The story is not perfect or mind-blowing, but has a warm heart and a genuinely cute charm.

Most of the performances are above average, and even good in the case of some, and the characters have personality and appealing ones. The two lead characters also have growth to them rather than too perfect from the start or difficult to like throughout. Aaron O'Connell has fun in his role and just about avoids making his quite stock character annoying generally. Brittany Beery gives the best supporting performance, being a life-filled breath of fresh air without overdoing it.

Kirk Barber starts off a little uptight perhaps, a lot of it is down to the writing, but once he becomes more comfortable he is very engaging and has a genuine and natural chemistry with Viva Bianca. Who is wonderful here and the best thing about 'A Prince for Christmas', have not a female lead this likeable, sensitive or charming (without being too nice) for any Christmas film in some time.

Did think however that there were debits. A lot of the dialogue is too thick on the cheese and doesn't always flow and despite not being bland the story is not much different from most films of this type with a too neat ending.

Will agree that Todd's aggression is a bit over the top on occasion, though it didn't bother me as much. Not all the acting is great, Kelly LeBrock's performance does lack subtlety and dignity (which are my idea of what her character should be like, personal preference) and she is not always at ease. While the settings are nice, the way the film is photographed and edited cheapen them. Some of the camerawork in particular is flat and disorganised.

Overall, just above the average mark and a lot better than expected despite some issues. 6/10.