Noël dans la peau d'une autre

Christmas has always been special to me and my favourite time of year. Main reasons being that it means lots of family time and reliving the nostalgia of singing and listening to carols, watching Christmas films and animations, playing festive games and opening presents. Will never tire of it and nothing will ever change that for the world.

Seing it as someone who wanted to see a different festive film other than the ones watched every year, 'A Christmas Switch' is never going to be among my favourites or one of the timeless festive films. It is not great, nor is it flawless. 'A Christmas Switch' is though a more than watchable film and avoids some, though not all, of the traps that other Christmas films have fallen into. It is a case of having appeal for some and others finding it a bit of a chore to sit through. For me despite its flaws, 'A Christmas Switch' is one of the better new Christmas films seen recently, but nowhere near close to ever.

As to be expected, the story is predictable and although the premise is a reasonably clever one there isn't an original idea in sight. There are a lot of easily telegraphed scenes here. Some draggy pacing here and there too.

Some of the dialogue veers on the cheesy side and like some festive films it is not without its schmaltzy and over-sentimental moments, some of which not easy to stomach.

However, 'A Christmas Switch' is a decent looking film, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to, while the direction avoids being too routine. Didn't find myself irritated by the characters at least and wasn't bored.

Despite the predictability, 'A Christmas Switch' has its heart in the right place, a difficult to dislike atmosphere and has a nice message that is easily relatable and wasn't laid on too thick. There is definitely a festive spirit and there is plenty of warmth and charm here, with enough parts to warm and melt the heart. Never does it feel too juvenile or mean-spirited and the sentimentality doesn't become too much. The acting actually comes over very well, with two likeable leads and children that never are too sugary sweet or bratty, instead charming and beyond their years.

Overall, likeable and above average if nothing to be blown away by. 6/10 Bethany Cox

This by now typical seasonal Christmas switching of bodies plot (i.e. The Princess Switch 2018) is remade into a rather nicely written script that allows the audience to revisit the comedic juxtaposition of two people into each other's bodies and experience the common woman and elite woman lives. The acting and presentation are made into a finely, balanced storyline, especially having to smoothly craft the edgy moments of confusion as well as the snobbish scenes by the rich and elite. Thus, the feel-good expectations of this movie genre are acceptably adhered to. The pacing of the movie is good and the storyline doesn't seem redundant or stale. The transformation of BOTH women is also nicely handled. A worthwhile contribution to the Christmas movie scene.

Yes it's been done before. Is it as good as the others? Maybe not, but maybe yes. The acting is fine. The story is also fine. If you don't try to compare, but go with the flow, it is an enjoyable TV movie.

I liked that there was confusion of the sudden switch is profound, but not overdone. I liked that Julia is tough, even arrogant and selfish, but not sadistically mean. I liked that the teenage Laurel does love her mom. I loved little Cleary Herzlinger as Kelly. She actually acted her age. And I loved the very last segment by the tree.

Jackie Seiden has talent. We hear a bit of it, but I could have listened to more.

1st: reviewers here are hard and we definitely don't share the same opinions. Maybe cause I'm older or just that I'm old-fashioned. STOP reading all the reviews until you have watched the movie. These reviews on this movie would have made me not want to watch it. I LOVE this silly, predictable, unrealistic but very cute little movie. I even recorded it and I'm watching it right now for the 4th time. Yes, you might not like it and feel like you wasted your time but what do you have besides time! Form your own view, you don't have to agree with others, that's what makes us all different and equal at the same time. And hey, you just might like it.

Is it deep? Not really. Is it incredible? No. But it's fun and that what a Christmas movie should be. The little girl is super cute, and it's fairly enjoyable.