Christmas Time Is Here

The cast is fantastic. I just love Rukiya Bernard and Dewshane Williams as a onscreen couple. Jill Morrison is amazing as the partner/friend. The reviews that condemn this "deception" are being hypocritical. What Hallmark movie doesn't involve hiding a truth or concealment of a goal. Give me a break. These reviewers need to dig deep into their unconscious/conscious bias. When the story line involves a leading character who is a person of color, she's being "deceptive" "sneaky" or "unacceptable". Give me a break! If this was not a black or brown woman, these harsh negative characterization of the totally endearing sweet Nia would never been ascribed. Ordinarily, the Pine Valley town would be cliche, but here it works. It feels real and authentic without losing the down-home Christmas vibe. There is a magic in this film that I absolutely love. Nia and Julian meet by chance over a string of Santa lights. Even though they are at odds over their separate real estate ambitions, they cannot ignore what fate has in store for them in this charming romantic comedy. Both have a lot to learn from each other in about each other so that they can see the bigger picture. Love, history, and tradition. Great movie!

I don't believe Hallmark would ever have let "Nia" been completely deceptive and still be the lead. Nothing could save this. Sad because I like she and Williams in past efforts.

GAC seems to have found the gentle touch that Hallmark used to have and fails to retrieve in most of its recent productions. Here, straight from Hallmark, they re-propose Rukiya Bernard and Dewshane Williams. The plot is not very original and quite simple. Most of the action revolves around the interaction of two main characters. This could have been the recipe for a disaster. Yet, the results are quite good. The lead actors are lively, funny and likeable. They work very well together and do create the feeling of a real attraction between them, amid the skirmishes. Hence, they make the story flow convincingly to the predictable conclusion. In summary, not a spectacular film, yet one still able to provide nice Yuletide entertainment.

Another save the family inn vs the big time developer story. This one is the common variation of wanting it to go to the right buyer who will respect the property. And the corporate representative is under constant pressure to close. All of this is the same old stuff.

Almost all of these movies have to have a face off between the leads early in the movie. This one wasn't quite as antagonistic as some and it led into a cute official introduction between the two.

Rukiya Bernard and Dewshane Williams have done several Hallmark movies together mostly as close friends to the leads. Now they are the leads for Hallmark's new competition GAC Family. There's obvious chemistry between the two actors screaming to get out, but for too long there is real deception between the two characters. She is working against the direct wishes of her client. This is real dishonesty, not just hiding a secret identity, or other "white lie". Either way, it kills the effect of their chemistry. .

Williams doesn't convince me in his early efforts as the rigid corporate big shot (aka the mean guy). Seems like he is trying too hard. Maybe that's the point - maybe it's because Julian is trying to convince himself.

There is a bit of mysticism with the watch and its backstory.

By 3/4ths through, the pieces are in place for a very predictable ending which is even more of the same old stuff.

Bernard and Williams sing together early in the movie and it is just average. However, Bernard and Tom Pickett, Mia's dad, sing a very nice Silent Night near the end.

I really wanted to like this movie. The story is cute and should been really good. The acting was good, but the movie was extremely slow. There was very litter substantiated. Twice, time was spent with long periods of singing, most likely to fill time.