App: Untamento per Natale

Have always absolutely loved Christmas and consider it still my favourite time of year. Love the nostalgia it brings, the family time and all the fond memories of our Christmas traditions which we still continue to do. There is a very, very small doubt of ever tiring of it. Also love Christmas films, and there are some classic ones that won't be named for fairness, and that was the main reason as to why 'Mingle All the Way' was seen in the first place, as well as wanting to broaden my horizons on them.

One sort of knows what to expect from 'Mingle All the Way', from the somewhat cheesy title and considering that story-wise there is not a whole lot of variation or seemingly much new on a fairly familiar theme. Recent viewings of festive films have seen some mild hits and also just as many misses, and 'Mingle All the Way' fits somewhere in the mixed bag/middling category, neither among the best or worst. Like a fair share of recently seen festive films, it is going to be one of those films that people will love and others will hate. Personally fit with neither extreme and am somewhere in the middle, finding it a watchable film but not a great one.

'Mingle All the Way' looks decent, the locations are particularly striking. The music provides some affectionate nostalgia and is pleasant to listen to. The Christmas atmosphere is handled charmingly and affectionately and the romance can be genuinely sweet and doesn't go overboard on the schmaltz.

Jen Lilley is a winning lead, while there is a feel good charm, amusing moments and the sentimentality doesn't get too much. Some smart tension at times too.

However, Brant Daugherty too often comes over as rather annoying and Lindsay Wagner is over-the-top in her roles, sometimes enjoyably but at other times it unbalances the film. The rest of the cast do their best but don't have much to do. The characters don't enough to them to make them interesting or rootable, while the direction is routine at times while far from being amateurish.

The story is not exactly dull and enough of it engages, but it is very predictable and some of it feels rather contrived too. The script doesn't always flow and can be very cheesy.

In conclusion, watchable but a mixed bag. 5/10

It's a great Christmas Hallmark movie! I enjoyed it a lot. Nice to see Lindsay Wagner too.

Review Date 7/17/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films, & Christmas Television Movies , & Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever produced. Since 2014 I average 100 per year.

I am a huge Lindsay Wagner fan. So I did not see her name in the credits so when she popped up I was in heaven. So to me this film got a minimum of 5 stars just for her presence but luckily this film has Holiday charm and annexed about the holidays that keeps you very interested in the film.

In this movie a woman has developed a dating app that is really a PLUS 1 app. It for people looking for a platonic relationship. Molly, founder of the app, is determined to prove to her family that it is a success. Therefore, she joins the app, and meets another busy professional, Jeff. When Molly and Jeff are matched, they are both horrified to realize they've already had not one, but two disastrous previous encounters. Nevertheless, they agree to stay matched for all their respective upcoming holiday engagements. As the pair gets closer, perhaps their business arrangement might turn into something more this holiday season.

Now you know how this is going to end but I will say when it comes to matters of the heart this film does it correctly. Most of when we were kids you are afraid to admit your true feelings about someone. It's nice to see adults really have a hard time too .

This was a nice movie that is well made with some visuals flair.

I just can't think of anything I didn't like about this movie. Both leads sparkled and their chemistry was tangible. The supporting cast was great (loved Lindsay Wagner!).

I particularly liked the sub-plot involving the friction between mother and daughter and the device used to resolve it.

The male lead was a lot of fun to watch. Like most of the other actors, he really seemed to be having fun in the production. I always like to see that. Even though it seems like it would break the fourth wall, it actually takes me into the story even deeper.

As for other reviewers, I'm always surprised at the amount of analysis applied to Hallmark movies. They are formulaic. You knew that before you flipped on the channel. There are a few of their movies that have silly plots. This was not one of them.

Sometimes in a Hallmark film, you're left wondering how the actual love relationship managed to develop into the final romantic declaration & long-awaited kiss. Not so with this film. They were in each others company for most of the film & we were seeing a slow-burning romance blossom from detestation to apathy to affection and then love. It was a good watchable process, firmly enhanced by the performances and chemistry of both leads who totally nailed it ! Their time acting together in Days of Their Lives kept their chemistry fresh. The storyline was a bit ho-hum but all performances from bosses, friends, jealous co-workers, old girlfriend & parents (nice to see Lindsey Wagner doing well) kept the whole story-pot bubbling away nicely ! Would love to see a sequel !