Le diplôme de Noël

I found this movie quite enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the lead actors. But I was shocked by the interior of the Christmas camp house. I've seen sheds on the hallmark channel decorated better than this for the holidays. Perhaps there was a rush to have this air in July.

I didn't care for this movie. I did other things while watching it, and it never prompted me to get my full attention. The lead actress was pretty bland, and the movie looked like a low budget compared even to other Hallmark's productions. It just kind of went by, and, soon, I'll completely forget about it. The idea of a Christmas camp was original, but it also struck me as ludicrous. There are much better holiday flicks than this, yet you won't scratch your eyes out if you watch it.

Review Date 7/12/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films Christmas Television show episodes and Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever made. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.

The story i this one is To get a promotion, Hayley, an advertising executive who specializes in social media, must land a toy company that is all about traditional Christmas as an account. .. She is sent to Christmas Camp (By Her Boss) to re-learn about the Christmas season.

Now what is great about this film was that the women here are not backstabbers. It was a relief I thought somehow Hayley was going to have to prove some idea was hers and the people at the camp were going to save her. Happily this was not the case. The women here support each other and that was great surprise.

My Christmas film viewings over-time have been a very mixed bag. With some surprisingly good hits, where regardless of how predictable they are succeed in being full of charm, warmth and heart so succeeding in being light-hearted and undemanding fun. But also some quite big misses, where the characters are not likeable, everything is forced and shallow with implausibility too in some of the worst cases, the acting and writing being weak and basically with just nothing to them.

'Christmas Camp' is not one of the worst Christmas films recently seen, a long way from being that. It is also though nowhere near being one of the best, and is closer to being in the lesser category. Is 'Christmas Camp' terrible? No, it didn't insult my intelligence, was well intended and it had its moments. At the same time, it is really not particularly good at all with many things wrong with it. Things that even when taking it for what it is and taking into account the target audience are very difficult to overlook.

It is not all bad. Bobby Campo does a great job and not only looks as though he was committing to his role but also that he understood it.

Also did think that the scenery was beautiful and complemented slickly by the photography, regardless of the lack of authenticity, And that the music had pleasant moments.

Too many things let 'Christmas Camp' down however. Lilly Anne Harrison is incredibly stiff and one note with no romantic chemistry or any real connection with the rest of the cast. The rest of the cast pretty much walk through their cliched roles, though some have very little to work with. Didn't find the characters interesting or easy to like or relate to while a lot of the lot of the writing is cheesy and awkward.

Furthermore, the story is excessively predictable, with an old hat premise already done to death having no variation. As well as very bland, the charm and heart are not there and it could have done with more light hearted playfulness, less schmaltz and a tighter pace that would have made it less over serious. The direction is rather routine and the ending too neat.

Concluding, weak though not terrible. 3/10.

Bobby Campo is a plus in any Hallmark movie. Unfortunately, he was teamed opposite a blah actress. Story had potential, but missed the mark. Horrible interior sets do not set the mood for the movie. Better luck next time, Hallmark.