Meeting Mr. Christmas

I loved this movie. It is a feel good Christmas movie. Although this theme has been done many times, the main actors add originality. Just the thing to get you in a happy frame of mind for Christmas. The chemistry between Greta and Madison is electrifying. The cinematography is first rate. Some beautiful scenes. The acting from all the cast, even minor ones, is very natural! I love the quirkiness of "Sophie". Her comedic timing is spot on. I think where the film has been let down is the final edit. There were a few disconnects and the coloring was a little washed out. That would not have made the cinematographer happy.

I'm a sucker for happy endings and this one was surprisingly satisfying. To me the true Christmas movie is about two people placed in an unwanted situation, finding they compliment each other. From that initial spark comes the recognition that being together feels so much better than being apart. The lead players in this tale demonstrated they had the ability to capture our hearts and yearn for more.

The premise was two people, set in their ways, almost opposites in their beliefs and experiences, working together on the annual town Christmas event. I expected them to collide like bumper cars with sparks coming off the electrical connections, and it came close. I believe the writers showed us the possibilities in a couple of situations, but the director shied away from exploiting the gems playing the parts.

It's decent Christmas fare, so I'm satisfied. All the parts were played like well made clothing, not a stitch out of place, and the ending so good I'm already preparing to watch it again.

It's hard to convey how poor this film is. It was written and directed by the same person, and she has the talent for neither job. She also stars as the sister. She fares slightly better as an actress. Slightly. Technically, there is no variety to the shots. In a café with her bestie, the camera just jumps back and forth, depending on who is talking. The same is true in other scenes. There's very little visually to keep you engaged.

Rather than a coherent story, there is a sequence of scenes. Characters are introduced and scenes happen, but you don't for one second feel engaged with the story or have an affinity with anyone. Perhaps because the main character is so unlikeable and the actress who plays her is so poor. You barely know this woman, yet when you hear that she was dumped on her wedding day, you think, "Yeah, I can understand why." All of the other characters just come across as bland and/or insincere.

I did not enjoy this for one second.

The dialogue is atrocious and it's badly delivered.

The acting is poor.

There is not one frame of originality in the film.

Avoid.

Would I watch another film written by Laura Mitchell? No.

Would I watch another film directed by Laura Mitchell? No.

Would I watch another film starring Greta Carew-Johns? No.

Meeting Mr. Christmas (2022) -

I don't really like these blogger characters, because I can't associate with them and I find their fretting about doing their posts in time for Christmas a bit tedious and frivolous. The world is not going to end if you don't post!

And Greta Carew Johns as Sophie wasn't particularly appealing as a character anyway. She came across as quite a misery right from the start. That was obvious by her want to get away for the season, but also from her sour face.

Madison Smith in the role of Dr Finn was definitely too good for her and I only got as far as I did because I had to wait for him to arrive on the scene and he was a geeky kind of cute, but she was too stone cold cowbag to put up with this film all the way through.

Unscored as Unfinished.

What a lovely film.. I really enjoyed it !! The main actors, Greta Carew-Johns and Madison Smith, were fantastic. They were so easy to watch, I really didn't want the story to end. I hope they follow up with a sequel.. lots of room for this story to grow. The scenery was beautiful and the cast seemed like they had so much fun together.. great chemistry. A movie the whole family can watch. It is a story about a travel blogger who has turned her back on all things Christmas until she meets the holiday loving town Doctor. Well done to all involved. I hope to see more of Greta Carew- Johns.. such a beautiful actress and so talented.(Madison Smith was quite easy on the eye too !!)