Un volo a Natale

I've seen lots of people complain about this movie, about Mayim Bialik being too rude, sarcastic, ugly or prickly or whatever, but I love it. Women don't have to be blonde, optimistic and bubbly. This movie has a snarky and sarcastic female lead, and it really works. Sure, if you want the stereotypical christmas romance, this movie might not be for you. And if you can't deal with a woman being strong and sarcastic and maybe slightly awkward, feel free to skip this one. If a woman has to look a certain way to be a female lead, well I'm just sorry for you. Go and choose another movie. And maybe reexamine your life choices. Or go out and meet some real women. Merry Christmas, y'all. Merry Christmas.

I am not fan of Christmas romance films. But this movie could be a reasonable exception. For the story who tries to be little more complex than many other pink Hallmark products from the same genre. For charming couple created by Jo Marie Payton and Reginald VelJohnson. And, sure for the contrast, very smart, between Mayim Malik in the clothes of Ugly Duck and Ryan McPartlin in the shield of a mix of Clark Kent and sophisticated Prince Charming. The result is nice , the story is seductive for the risk of director to propose a not ordinary story , not so different but nuanced. Short, a good cocktail of romance, humor and the right choice.

Two people meet on a flight from LA back East. She has recently been dumped and he is an a long distance relationship. But of course romance ensues.

The dialog is a bit more interesting than the usual Christmas TV movie. There seems to be a subtle message about compatibility of personality over looks. " This is Mayim Bialik's movie. For fans of "Big Bang Theory" where she plays Amy Farrah Fowler - it's a treat to see her. Usually Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movies don't feature lead romantic actresses who look like or are shaped like her. It's nice to see someone like her leading this type of movie. Ryan McPartlin of "Chuck" is a good enough comedic actor to make his role believable.

If you are going to watch one Xmas movie this year this is a good choice.

I will give this movie credit for having maybe one of the most horrible breakups ever, making Stephanie "homeless".

I would also say that the story premise was somewhat unusual except that Hallmark had the exact same premise the same year as this movie. Still those are the only two movies I've seen with it out of hundreds I've watched.

But beyond the premise, the story was not good. And the dialogue was also bad. I especially hated the heart to heart conversations each of the leads had with the innkeepers. And in the first 1/3rd of the movie, Stephanie was so annoying, crabby, and rude, that I wanted to shut off the movie. Her behavior ran deeper than just a bad breakup. Then suddenly she was empathetic and caring.

Mayim Bialik has so much experience but in this movie she delivered her lines like an amateur. It looked like she was trying too hard. Ryan McPartlin was better but there was still no chemistry between them and certainly no reason for him to do what he did. Reginald VelJohnson and Jo Marie Payton were also bad. Again it was like they were trying too hard. Perhaps it was the direction that made it look the same for all of them.

I watch a lot of these with my wife. We know the formula and this one follows it also.

But, Mayim is not the typical female lead and that's a good thing.