Un Noël sous les projecteurs

2018 was rather up and down when it came to Hallmark's Christmas output. There were winners, such as 'Marrying Father Christmas', 'Once Upon a Christmas Miracle' and 'Christmas Bells are Ringing'. There were also misfires, namely 'Christmas at Graceland', 'A Gingerbread Romance' and 'Last Vermont Christmas'. Most ranged between average and pretty good. 'Entertaining Christmas' did sound quite charming despite not being particularly big on Jodie Swetin.

'Entertaining Christmas' for me is not quite one of the winners of the 2018 batch, but it is closer to that than the misfires categories. It is one of the pretty good outings with many great things that make it close to being one of the best of the batch, but it is let down by a few things that were not developed enough and a couple of the story flaws found a lot in Hallmark's Christmas offerings. Not a great film, but definitely worth watching. 'Entertaining Christmas' is also one of not many films where Swetin was one of its best aspects, so that was a nice surprise.

As said, a lot is good here. It is very professionally filmed and the locations look lovely too, sure the snow effects are artificial but that has been done far worse in other Hallmark films. Some of the soundtrack has a nice nostalgia and captures the festive spirit quite nicely. Swetin is a very likeable and charming female lead and after seeing so many female lead characters in Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas films recently that have exaggerated and over-emphasised character flaws it was great to have one that was easy to root for. While having problems with his character, Brendan Fehr does a good job with what he has and what there is of their chemistry when it features is sweet enough.

None of the supporting cast bored or irritated and while they are not meaty the characters at least felt real. The script is not too cheesy or schmaltzy and the flow isn't awkward. The story has maturity with a mature subject matter done quite movingly, while also having a charming light-heartedness and not coming over as too serious.

Did think however that the central relationship was underused and wasn't developed enough, there is chemistry but the actual romance in the story felt too like the writers had forgotten about it until quite late into the writing stages. While Fehr is good in his role, John as a character felt underwritten and has too little to do.

The story is a bit too more of the same, with not enough freshness to typical material. There could have been a little less of the scoring which intruded at times, while having moments.

Overall, pretty good. 6/10.

What was up with the carelessness of the snow and lighting. Why use cgi tree lights ? Why use all the fake snow it can not snow during December ya know. Acting was good I liked the story line and etc other wise.

This film has a Christmas spirit due to the tradition and custom it offers!! ... cakes, reunite the family?etc ... Nevertheless, I will have to explain the technical, artistic choice of outdoor scenes?? That spoils all the magic of this film by making it even ridiculous at some point !!! (You can see the coats very badly concealing white fabrics that cover the lawns, on the other hand nothing on trees and cars).... Now let's talk about the scenario, in itself I find interesting the story of this little girl who wants to surprise her father. I did not like the character of Liz who the more the film passes, the more one discovers that she is unable to be as gifted as her mother. (But where is the importance of wanting to look like him, in short). No, what disappointed me is that in the end, she is unable to do simple things..... After the acting is fine, but a pity for the imperfections.

Review Date 5/14/2019

I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and 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.

This is a modern day version of "Christmas in Connecticut". This is however has non of the charm or characters that has made ""Christmas in Connecticut" endure.

In this film a modern day life style guru (Think Martha Stewart) announces her retirement. She wants her daughter to "Take over the company" once she leaves. The board however has its doubts. Unknown to them the daughter can not do anything right. The daughter not a fraud but her own gifts are being set aside.

The daughter gets a chance to prove herself to the board that she is capable of handling the company. In a small town a little girl wrote a letter wanting to have a perfect Christmas Party for her returning dad who happens to be a veteran.

Of course you know where this film is heading and so that makes this film taxing to watch at times. The love story you see coming a mile away and there is nothing original that happens in this film that has been covered in superior films.

The film is watchable but you will forget the film once the credits are over.

This was a pretty good story. It has many of the familiar things including plot devices, but they are just a little different and even a little fresh.

I am not a Jodie Swetin fan, and I've seen a few with her, but she impressed me in this one. She really fit the part.