Pride, Prejudice, and Mistletoe

Despite its title, don't expect much of this Hallmark holiday rom-com to relate to the Jane Austen novel except for a few names.

The star of the film is Lacey Chabert, who practically lives in Hallmarkland, especially when a wedding veil is involved. As usual, her pleasant energy infuses her performance. She plays Darcy Fitzwilliam, a New York City investment counselor who returns home to Ohio for Christmas, where her mother has her helping with a charity auction.

There she runs into an old high school rival---Luke (Brendan Penny)---who used to be on the same debate team. Of course, there is a lurking ex-boyfriend, who is ready to reignite their relationship, if Darcy would only say the word. But Luke is now the owner of a local restaurant, where he seems quite competent. In fact, Darcy's mother hires him to cater the auction event.

Luke is a very smiley guy. Though Darcy has some negative feelings about their interactions in high school, she is easily swayed by his positive personality. In fact, she grows to admire him. Meanwhile, Darcy's sister is dating Luke's brother.

Darcy is a successful businesswoman who seems unfulfilled by her job, so the ending of film should not surprise anyone. But the chemistry between the two leads makes this film a pleasant watch.

More and more I just don't think these girls are good enough for these guys, that are so perfect it's untrue. Brendan Penny is hot and you just couldn't be so mean to a guy as charming and funny as him, especially with those smiley eyes. This modern 'Independent Woman' thing is getting a bit tired now. I'm all for girl power, but there's strength and there's just being unfriendly. Why can't everyone just be nice regardless of gender and relinquish their issues. It would be nice to see a Christmas romance where both of them are sorted and have no problems with control or past relationships. Just let the love flow man!

I sidetracked a tad there. This film has all of the usual seasonal fun as well as the romantic element. Her brother's cute and even the ex isn't too shabby. There's a loving family too.

I assume that there are comparisons to be made to Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' (No Mistletoe), but I have neither read nor viewed it, so I can't tell. I know there's a Darcy in it, which is the lead's name, but it could be a version of a Barbara Cartland or a Mills & Boon novel for all I know?

Not a terrible story at all and Brendan will just win you over with that lovely choochy face.

I love Lacey as an actress in these movies. She brings spirit, animation, heart and relatability to these movies. I love Jane Austen as well and had such high hopes for this movie. There was just so little use of the Jane Austen story line used. I realize that this is based on a book that I have not read, but with so much opportunity from the original novel, how could it be ignored. "Unleashing Mr. Darcy" did a great job in using the material with a modern twist. I wanted to see real conflict between the leads. I like the idea of the reversal of the roles, but where was the pride and the prejudice. Darcy's refusal to accept help just did not really get the pride concept across. The Fitzwilliam family could have been more snobby and Darcy could have been more superior in her attitude with Luke. Luke could have had an embarrassing family and could have stood up to Darcy in a way that woke her up. Where were the misunderstandings about each other and then realizing that they were both wrong as they got to know each other. It was all there for the picking. It was an easy, enjoyable movie that had the potential to be great. I know those scripts can happen again and will be excited to see them.

Honestly I really do not know where to begin, but this movie was completely boring, there was absolutely NO chemistry between lead actors - I'm talking Zero! I love LC but this movie was not for her. Through just about the entire movie, she always looked depressed, sad, confused and even bored. Her character fell completely flat. I must mention seeing Mark Weibe in a supporting role was really sad, he was so great in A Very Merry Mix Up with AW... he had all of possibly 5 lines in this movie, there wasn't even any chemistry AT ALL between him and his brother. I'm so sick of the all the fake snow, it's so ridiculous already, cmon Hallmark, why can't you film during a true winter season, why must you make us suffer through all the fake flakes? Even the way they dressed LC was wrong, all wrong... and her makeup - with all the red lip stick was awful. She's absolutely adorable and beautiful but .... NO, her makeup was all wrong. I had such high hopes for this movie because I really love watching LC. I was so bored and so disappointed Mark Weibe didn't have a stronger character and a larger role. It was like they just threw him in there for a few minutes to stand around and do and say nothing, he's so much better than that. I could go on and on... in my opinion, this movie was not good. Sorry Hallmark, you missed the mark on this one.

This was a perfectly serviceable Hallmark Christmas movie starring their queen Lacey Chabert. However, honestly, the movie loses a star for sticking the Pride & Prejudice label on it, when it had no business doing so. Aside from the character names ("Darcy Fitzwilliam", lol), the movie had absolutely zero to do with Jane Austen's novel. They would have done better to give her a different last name, title the movie something else and call it a day. If they'd done so, it would've rated a solid 5 stars from me.