Il regalo perfetto

Most films begin with loads of titles, stock footage etc, all of which make you want to change channel. Unusually and to its credit, this film hooked me from the beginning with some interesting facts about snowflakes and an introduction into the leading man Tom's work. His job is to research and find the perfect present for the partner of his (clueless) client.

Not only is this film entertaining, but there is food for thought in terms of a serious theme. When buying a present for your other half, do you really know enough about them to get them exactly what they want?

There are only four principal players in this movie - Jenny, her unreliable boyfriend Paul, Tom and socialite Victoria.

Tara Holt is excellent as leading lady Jenny, demonstrating a wide range of emotions, facial expressions and matching body language. When she inevitably kisses Tom (this is Hallmark), it really looks like her heart is racing. When she is upset with Tom, she looks upset. I also liked her boyfriend Paul (Sam Guinan-Nyhart), who ropes his faternity buddy Tom into the job of finding a present for Jenny.

Leading man Tom (played by Sam Page) is trying not to get involved with Sarah for professional reasons, which means his chemistry with her is not quite as good as it could be.

Victoria (played by Emily Peterson) is comfortable as an attractive socialite who would like to sink her claws into Tom. My favourite scene comes at about 24 minutes when Victoria is telling Jenny and Tom about the history of her old house. This is a piece of unexpected, nicely written script.

In the end, Tom does find the perfect present for Jenny, but not something material like a car or jewellry, but is instead something personal to her.

The only negative I have is that I found the final scene to be cheesy and over-acted.

Overall, one of the better Hallmark Christmas films and will watch again next year.

I am subjective. But it seems to me only a film with a Barbie and two Kens. Not convincing, fake, artificial, using in not the most inspired manner the recipe Hallmark Christmas films . For fans, maybe a good film. For me, a romance in labyrinth , with predictable end and a sort of unrealistic dilemma.

I can't think of having seen this premise before, although there is some similarity to Cyrano de Bergerac. It's nominally a Christmas story, but except for the holiday event, it didn't have to be around Christmas.

For me, a lot of how much I like this kind of movie has a lot to do with the relationship building between the leads and the premise provided a great mechanism for the leads to spend time together. Sam Page and Emily Peterson had great chemistry. Without it, the conflict wouldn't have made any sense.

I don't remember the first time I saw this movie, but I would think the surprise at the end was to be expected. That didn't mean it wasn't sweet.

In my opinion, the male roles should have been switched, as Sam Page could have played a better embarrassing villain. Very unconvincing character, I don't mean he's not a good actor, he just doesn't feels like he belongs there.

I enjoyed this movie. I really like Sam Page. This is the first movie I've seen of his but I'll look for others now. I did have a hard time warming up to the character of Jenny. She didn't come across has believable has the head of an organization. But overall I'd watch it again.