Christmas Camp

I found this movie quite enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the lead actors. But I was shocked by the interior of the Christmas camp house. I've seen sheds on the hallmark channel decorated better than this for the holidays. Perhaps there was a rush to have this air in July.

I watched this movie in July, and totally enjoyed it. The plot was a bit strange, who knows, maybe if more low level executives were sent to a Christmas camp companies might be better off. Was looking for a repeat showing in the fall 24/7 schedule, not seen a repeat as of yet.

Nothing mind blowing here, but a nice little film. The actors are pretty good (the lead male bears more than a passing resemblance to Edward Norton), although I'm not sure I really buy Haley as being get-ahead work focused as she's meant to be. She's sent to Christmas Camp for work, so of course she'll answer some phone calls and send emails! That said, I am glad that this is a Hallmark film where even though the action is mostly in a small town the big city careers aren't denigrated. Apparently you are allowed to have the Christmas spirit and also want to get ahead at work - as long as you remember what's important in life.

My Christmas film viewings over-time have been a very mixed bag. With some surprisingly good hits, where regardless of how predictable they are succeed in being full of charm, warmth and heart so succeeding in being light-hearted and undemanding fun. But also some quite big misses, where the characters are not likeable, everything is forced and shallow with implausibility too in some of the worst cases, the acting and writing being weak and basically with just nothing to them.

'Christmas Camp' is not one of the worst Christmas films recently seen, a long way from being that. It is also though nowhere near being one of the best, and is closer to being in the lesser category. Is 'Christmas Camp' terrible? No, it didn't insult my intelligence, was well intended and it had its moments. At the same time, it is really not particularly good at all with many things wrong with it. Things that even when taking it for what it is and taking into account the target audience are very difficult to overlook.

It is not all bad. Bobby Campo does a great job and not only looks as though he was committing to his role but also that he understood it.

Also did think that the scenery was beautiful and complemented slickly by the photography, regardless of the lack of authenticity, And that the music had pleasant moments.

Too many things let 'Christmas Camp' down however. Lilly Anne Harrison is incredibly stiff and one note with no romantic chemistry or any real connection with the rest of the cast. The rest of the cast pretty much walk through their cliched roles, though some have very little to work with. Didn't find the characters interesting or easy to like or relate to while a lot of the lot of the writing is cheesy and awkward.

Furthermore, the story is excessively predictable, with an old hat premise already done to death having no variation. As well as very bland, the charm and heart are not there and it could have done with more light hearted playfulness, less schmaltz and a tighter pace that would have made it less over serious. The direction is rather routine and the ending too neat.

Concluding, weak though not terrible. 3/10.

Bobby Campo is a plus in any Hallmark movie. Unfortunately, he was teamed opposite a blah actress. Story had potential, but missed the mark. Horrible interior sets do not set the mood for the movie. Better luck next time, Hallmark.