A Cowboy Christmas Romance

A noted departure for this season's multiple Christmas movies. The Arizona locale was different (regardless of where it was actually filmed) and the family issues were also much different than normal plot lines in these Christmas movies. I liked the focus on ranch work and the reality that it's not everyone's favorite way of making a living.

The "sensual" scene was quick (lots left to your imagination as it should be for a Christmas movie) but contributed to the raw feelings at the end that had to be resolved. Along with Hallmark's "The Royal Nanny" and its connection with MI5 I find the unusual plot lines of these types of Christmas movies interesting and worth watching again.

I must say I liked this movie very much. Was surprise it was rated very low by the critics the lead actress Kramer was very good and very convincing as a cowgirl. The lead actor not that good he seemed to play a old fashion cowboy but to slow for me The supporting cast were fine The mother was terrific she's a scene stealer The whole story though not original but I think they all did well. Lifetime is on the right track with these types of movies particular Christmas. They are competing with hallmark who's dropped down a peg or two and now GAC. Lifetime holiday movies are good and l am looking forward to future ones.

I am a faithful holiday romance watcher. This is better than average and among the best I have seen so far in the 2023 season. I saved the recording and would watch again.

Good: Chemistry between the two leads was good. I love Jana Kramer and she was well cast here. Spice level was mild enough for basic cable TV but better than the distinct lack of spice on the other more "wholesome" networks. Story was good, and most of the characters were believable.

Bad: The eldest brother seemed to be trying way too hard throughout the entire movie to be a villain without actually ultimately being a villain. That seemed unnecessary to me. The worst and most unbelievable character was Abby though. She was played by a girl clearly in her teens, but was written as though she was much younger. The dad has to sing her to sleep, she believes in Santa, talks very childish, etc. So, that was strange to me. They needed to write her as a teen or cast a younger girl, maybe 7 or 8 years old. That bothered be throughout the entire movie.

Neutral Comment: Apart from being set at Christmas time, this is not a Christmas movie. This could take place at any time of year and not change the story at all. Absolutely nothing was related to Christmas. That didn't bother me at all, not just felt worth mentioning.

Overall, very watchable and even enjoyable movie.

What's this? A Lifetime Christmas movie where most of the usual plot devices and festive activities are completely ignored? A Lifetime Christmas movie where there is swearing? A Lifetime Christmas movie where the two characters - literally in this case - have a roll in the hay? What's more, there isn't even

If you want the usual gingerbread house building and tree-lighting schmaltz (I say that in the nicest way possible, because I love big helpings of festive schmaltz!) watch something else.

If you want something - shock, horror - different, settle in and watch 'A Cowboy Christmas Romance', a refreshing, if sometimes bleak, story about legacies and mending family for Christmas.

Jana Kramer and Adam Senn are great in the lead roles and there is plenty of good acting across the board. I loved the Arizona desert setting and the more realistic conflict that the Crenshaw family go through. There is, of course, the usual happy ending, but like much else in this film, it's more believable than the usual.

Lifetime's best Christmas movie in some time.

This family is messed up. But it almost makes sense how they got this way. And this movie is a little edgy for a Christmas movie. It is also a little complicated for the average Christmas movie.

The story starts out like so many, but Lexi is not at all likeable in the beginning. Lexi is a successful business woman. She closes deals. That's code for she manipulates people into the outcome she wants. The next deal which might interfere with Christmas vacation requires her to go home or at least to her hometown. Lexi hates her hometown and she is very very angry at her father. She hasn't been home in ten years and hasn't communicated with her family either. We get clues as to why along the way but it isn't totally spelled out until late in the story.

The title has Romance in it, but I think that the romance is half or less than half of the story. It is also rushed because of everything else in the story. And then there is the sex scene. Oh what a big deal. Lifetime TV's first sex scene in a Christmas movie. Oh gee. I thought it was underwhelming even for what might be called borderline family TV. There is nothing close to nudity except a shirtless man, also seen from far away in his boxers, and glimpses of a woman in her bra. The sex itself is passed over, as the Trivia on this site says, in a fade to black way.

Like many Christmas movies, the ending wraps everything up for everyone, maybe too nicely. There was at least one twist, but not completely unpredictable.

I give this movie a semi-positive rating (7 is my default for good but not great). It kept me interested. But it won't be the first thing I watch a second time.