Christmas in Paris

Christmas In Paris (2019) -

Having been a tad distracted by a jigsaw puzzle the last time I watched this one, I thought that I would try it again, but I actually found it even worse on the second viewing, because I could clearly see the faults this time.

Overall I found the production values to be lacking, with sets that didn't seem appropriate for the successful business people that they were playing and the camera filter was too pale, while the soundtrack was really cheap. There were also some very odd wardrobe choices too.

The lead female, Rebecca Dalton wasn't exactly the stunning actor that I would have expected to play an ex model and I didn't really like her character much either.

And he was very "French", that is to say, brusque, even though he was trying to flirt with her. The last time I reviewed this I commented how attractive he was and although I don't think my tastes have changed that much, I have to say I must have been a few glasses of wine in, because actually his character was not very pleasant, which made him unattractive physically too.

The story was actually a sweet romance and with potential, but let down by all the issues that I saw. They obviously spent the budget on actually going to Paris, which was something I suppose, unlike 'Christmas in London/A Christmas Exchange' (2020), which was just dire.

And the character of Gerald was made out to be some kind of 'Godfather' character as well, which I found very weird and distracted from the main romantic storyline. It was very dramatic and Randy Thomas in the role gave a terrible acting performance.

Also, and once again it seemed, the argument that broke them apart, that we all knew was coming, was daft and she sulked a lot, far too much for one film.

It doesn't look like I will be revisiting this one for a third time, as there are too many to watch that are much better from this genre.

4.07/10.

I saw it in UK this week. and was Curious about what those actors have done before - except for Daphne Zuniga of course. Rebecca Dalton soooo Beautiful. love her I ll check out her other films if I can see them on Neftlix or Amazon. Karl Landler's accent so..... romantic :PPPPP. Not sure if I can watch his work I don t speak french. :(((.

At the heart of this enchanting film is a wealthy French businessman, portrayed by Karl E. Landler, who sweeps the all-American girl, played by the delightful Rebecca Dalton, off her feet and into the romantic splendor of Paris. This film delves into timeless themes of love, identity, and reconciliation, with a poignant subplot that explores the hero's strained relationship with his biological father.

Landler's European charm and suaveness becomes increasingly irresistible as the story unfolds, leaving a lasting impression. His authentic French accent adds a layer of realism that's often missing in similar films, making it an absolute delight for global audiences.

Rebecca Dalton, the spirited protagonist, embodying the classic romantic heroine with grace. The dynamic between them, especially against the backdrop of Paris (?) -even if some scenes are filmed stateside-evokes a sense of old-world romance that feels both nostalgic and wonderfully fresh.

Adding to the film's charm, Daphne Zuniga delivers a standout performance as Dalton's boss, infusing the story with humor and warmth. The subplot involving Landler's reconciliation with his father is deeply touching, adding emotional depth to this otherwise light-hearted narrative, making the film a truly memorable experience.

Still a Fan...

This is a straight up Harlequin Romance Movie and as such it's pretty OK. And I don't mean the Hallmark movies based Harlequin novels. This is right out of of the playbook that produced about 11 or so TV movie romances in the 1990s and early 2000s that Hallmark had nothing to do with. Since I saw this on ION television it really does have that different and old-fashioned approach to a romance. The hero was very attractive and a stereotypical early prototype romance hero: A Rich, Powerful, Mysterious Playboy who is a genius at business. He falls for "normal(ish) girl: beautiful, good, and spunky. it was well-cast and fun. I liked the side story of our hero hating and then reconciling with his biological father(who really looked the part as well) and the asthma angle. For anyone who liked this movie, I urge you to look up these old Harlequin movies some of which are available on You Tube.

Now, for starters, I would like to say that I am all for the Hallmark/Lifetime formula. It works! This film does not. It is so boring that it actually became confusing at times because I had trouble focusing for more than 30 second intervals. The characters are not even two-dimensional. They have no personality traits besides "bad relationship with dad" or "dead mom," so the "deeper" themes that they were going for fall flat. The decorations in the background clash, but even by themselves, they are ugly (see poorly painted wooden snowflake things on barn wall). Furthermore, the audacity to call a movie Christmas in Paris and a) have most of it take place in Montana, and b) not even shoot in Paris, is astounding. I wish that this had been a soulless Christmas movie like Hallmark or Lifetime would put out, but it isn't. Instead, it feels like my soul has also been crushed.