Mistletoe Moments

I am afraid this film just "couldn't get there." Their acting was ok, I guess, but the awkward moments were forced and it was totally lacking in chemistry. It was slammed together, like it was a weekend student film project, and it had no real substance or good conflict.

It snowed continually, I guess for effect, but the snow never built up.

AND the fact that they were having to put all those decorations up and there were no helpers, was a bit ridiculous.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel anything in this movie, not even Christmas.

PS - Lip synch went out the last 15-20 minutes of the film. Sorry. A for effort, F for failed.

6.4 stars.

It took me three separate attempts to get through this movie. I was waiting for something dramatic or romantic to happen, but it never really did until the last 20 minutes. We have a normal Hallmark type romance movie here, two young and good looking people are interested in each other, mixed with a bit of misunderstanding and missed opportunities. In my opinion, this man is a fool and somewhat of a loser. His character has flaws and he lacks observational skills and some common positive traits. The female lacks discernment and is seemingly floundering for someone who should be a very focused and professional interior designer.

What is absent throughout the majority are all the memorable moments, instead it's filled with too much of the in between stuff. Where is the tension, where is the anticipation, where is the fun? Again, none of this starts to blossom until the last 20 minutes. Most romance films, find a way to pull you in to the story early on, then provide some filler and slow moments, then pique your interest around midpoint, then more fluff, and finally the wonderful finale. This film lacks the timing and impact of the great parts that comprise an entertaining romance. It's just a bunch of endless drivel for a full hour leading up to the last part. The first 10 minutes started off okay, and lulled me into a false sense of satisfaction.

I've seen several movies like this in the last two years, this one is no different, it can fit right into the low end of the average bunch. Nothing to see here folks move on to the next. If I had nothing better to do but choose from all the mundane romance films, 'Designing Christmas With You' a.k.a. 'Mistletoe Moments' would toward the bottom of the list. I have plenty of 6.5-6.9 star films I'd be more willing to fight through a second time. There is no reason I can think of to watch this again.

I enjoyed this movie for most of it due in large part to the chemistry between the leads Susie Abromeit and Liam McIntyre, that is until each of them started letting their own insecurities get in the way. The development of their relationship was slightly unusual. In their first anonymous meeting, the meet-cute, they got along quite well despite her hitting him by accident with a snowball. The usual formula in rom/coms is an antagonistic first meeting, although there are exceptions. But then instead of following the formula of building their relationship after the first meeting, once they are assigned to work together there is some conflict. This of course, is quickly disarmed and the middle of the movie is mostly upbeat. It does follow the common formula of the two working together to plan a Holly Ball.

Another slight deviation from formula is the conflict. Most movies would have done the misunderstood overheard conversation as the only part of the conflict between them. But then Colbie gets hit with a double whammy which without giving it away is huge. BTW, one part of that double whammy was never really dealt with to reconcile it. The end is much as you would expect since you really can't have it any other way in this kind of movie.

The acting is good. The dialogue is good.

I had one issue which is one of my biggest pet peeves but most people will either not notice or not care. Why are the text message exchanges so small? They were as meaningful as the rest of the dialogue. I had to pause and rewind then pause and play a little at a time because each tiny message appeared in place of the previous one, instead of listing down the screen. This was a huge annoyance to me and there was another brief tiny text later. I deduct 2 stars for this.

In summary, the story had some of the usual formula but with some minor modifications. But I enjoyed most of the movie thanks to the relationships.

There's very little purpose in critiquing the low production values for each movie, the similar 6 or so storylines used over and over again and the halting, bumbling style of the romances in Hallmark movies. I have seen these productions being made from around 2010 to present day and 90% of them all have the same general low-budget, repetitive storyline, cringe-inducing approach.

I turn a blind critical eye to all of this and just ask for a couple of things:

1. Do the leads seem casted for match in terms of physical appeal?

2. Despite the script always requiring romantic hesitancy, does the male lead at least act like he has 2 X chromosomes throughout the movie?

3. Does some overt romantic chemistry develop throughout the movie or do we have to view 90 minutes of nothing only to get a surprise kiss as the credits roll?

I think this movie rates a grade B- on my scale.

It is the typical story line you expect from these kinds of movies (as in Hallmark, great american family, other made for tv christmas movies) but so very low energy. Nothing special happened, no christmas tree lighting or drinking hot chocolate or cider. Not even that much was said; there were lots of musical interlude shots. The actors were fine but didn't really have anything to work with so i can't say if they were good or bad. And i do not know what was up with the lead actresses roots. Yes, i understand they happen but the director chose to film so many close-up shots of her with her head down that it was very in your face.