Actually really liked the premise for 'A Christmas Wish'. Unusual but if done right it had the potential to be entertaining and sweet. Things that Christmas films can be, though there are quite a lot too that are cheesy and over-sentimental. Lifetime are a very mixed bag when it comes to their Christmas output, and overall their 2019 efforts weren't too special. Just to say, whenever watching a Christmas film from Lifetime or Hallmark there have never been expectations for it to be a masterpiece, merely judging it on what it set out to do.
On that front, 'A Christmas Wish' is something of a mixed bag. As far as Lifetime Christmas films go, it's neither one of the best or worst. As far as their 2019 Christmas output goes, 'A Christmas Wish' is again neither one of their best or worst. It is somewhere in the middle on both counts, not a terrible film but not great either and could have done quite a lot more with its premise. A case of a good premise with very hit and miss execution, have seen too many of those kind of films overtime and it is a bit frustrating.
Will start with the good. One of 'A Christmas Wish's' better aspects is the acting, with two very likeable leads (especially Hilarie Burton) that to me had a lovely far from disconnected friendship and their romance charmed and developed without being unrealistically rushed or taking too long to get there. The supporting cast are well above average too, a standout being Pam Grier.
It is a genuinely charming film more than once, warms the heart and has touching moments, such as the interaction with the students. The film looks quite attractive, the scenery having a picturesque look. Parts of the soundtrack are pleasant. Didn't find myself bored or annoyed by the characters and thought that the same sex couple were handled in good taste actually.
Do have to agree with people though, though this is not the case of one aspect alone bringing the film down (there are very few films etc out there like that), that the music is over-scored and over-bearing. It could have been used less too and the balance between it and the dialogue was off. The dialogue wasn't really anything all that special though, much of it is very cheesy and sugary. Including an increasingly tired running joke that got repetitive very quickly.
For my tastes, 'A Christmas Wish' executes its premise too conventionally, meaning that it all felt too easily foreseeable and safe. Some of the story, as well as predictable, felt contrived and occasionally muddled from trying to do too much and with not enough time to fully explore it all. The ending is especially forced and left me scratching my head with confusion, some decision making coming out of nowhere.
Summing up, watchable if rather average. 5/10
