If you have seen your fair share of Hallmark Christmas films, like me as a big fan of the holiday, it would be safe to say that you are very likely to know what to expect and one shouldn't expect any more. Have always watched the Hallmark Christmas films, which have been many over the past few years and especially at the end of last year, with mixed expectations. That are either met and even exceeded, or the film completely misses the mark and does little with any potential.
'Meet Me at Christmas' was more or less what was expected. It didn't exceed expectations, but it is a long way from a waste of potential. Instead it sounded like potentially it would be a pleasant enough diversion with a number of good things and a few big drawbacks, and 'Meet Me at Christmas' turned out to be pretty much exactly that. Not one of Hallmark's best by any stretch but also a long way from their worst as well. 2020 was inconsistent for Hallmark, this is somewhere in the middle.
There are many good things here. The production values are very pleasing to look at, nice use of locations slickly shot. The music generally captures the Christmas feel very well and is not near as over-scored or intrusive as too many of a lot of Hallmark films. The script could have been tighter, but mostly flows nicely and has a light-hearted and sweet tone without being too sugary sweet. It's sympathetically directed without being routine.
While the story is a long way from perfect, it charms and warms the heart and doesn't get too heavy. While having issues with her character initially, Catherine Bell is understated, demure and heartfelt without being too low key. She is matched well by a sympathetic and subtly easy going Mark Deklin and they have a natural chemistry together. The supporting cast do very well and the film generally has characters worth caring for. The ending isn't as rushed or as too neat as those in other Hallmark Christmas films.
As said though, the story for 'Meet Me at Christmas' isn't perfect. There is a bit of an over-reliance on flashbacks and it bogs the momentum down a bit at times, did feel too that some of the writing rambled a little in these scenes (hence what was meant by the script lacking tightness) and the lack of physical resemblance distracted somewhat.
Did feel too that it took too much time to get going story and pace wise. Also Bell's character was not easy to warm to at first, her stubborn-ness was overdone and frustrated. While the music is generally fine, maybe it could have been used a little less and been more varied.
Overall, above average with many good things but some of the pacing and the character writing of one crucial character let the side down. 6/10.
