Natale a Honeysuckle Lane

A woman (Alicia Witt) returns home after her parents died to celebrate with her sister (Laura Leighton) and brother. She meets an antiques store owner (Colin Ferguson) who helps her settle and value the contents of the house. At least it's a different story than the typical Christmas movie.

That may sound harsh, and apologies, but 'Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane' just didn't work for me. Liked the concept, which was hardly an original one but seemed nice enough. The title sounded cute if corny. Not all Hallmark Christmas films are bad, actually think a good deal of them are watchable but was pleasantly surprised by some. Colin Ferguson is seldom less than watchable and more often than not is more than that.

Was though not completely excited in seeing it, having struggled with watching some of Alicia Witt's performances in her other Christmas films and from the synopsis and what has been said about the film it sounded like it would be another variation on the type of character that she often overacts. While not quite one of the worst Hallmark Christmas films, 'Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane' had a lot of very glaring flaws bad enough to completely disallow me from getting any enjoyment out of it.

'Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane' is not all bad. Ferguson is very engaging and does a great job with what he's given, which is not enough and not worthy of Ferguson's talent. Jill Larson is also a joy as one of the few characters in the film to be properly worth investing in.

It looks good, the settings are beautiful to watch and are lovingly festive, nicely photographed. Count me in as another person who loves the house, one of the nicest houses for any Hallmark Christmas film.

However, Witt badly overacts her role, coming over as very affected, and exaggerates her character's negative traits (i.e. pomposity) to a very grating degree. There is no chemistry or spark between her and Ferguson, no warmth whatsoever and very disconnected. Other than Morgan and Rachel, none of the characters are particularly likeable and only Rachel is interesting, Ferguson's material is too weak and he has too little to his role.

Dialogue ranges from laughably bad to downright painful, very childish with a lot of forced sentimentality and constant awkwardness. The story is lifeless with a glacially slow pace throughout, especially the very hard to sit through first half, and has no charm, warmth or heart. Boredom and annoyance were the only two feelings that came from watching this film. The music for my liking was too constant and too intrusive. The direction is pedestrian throughout.

On the whole, mediocre. 4/10

The story is average, but the two leads have an on-screen spark which makes this flick engaging.

What most impressed me was the beautiful house (where the story is mainly staged); and the overall Christmas decor/snow-laden setting (beautiful interiors with many trees & lights) which is sophisticated and understated - without an inflatable Snowman/Santa-Claus in sight.

Very pretty to look at - I've scored 7/10 for festive charm alone.

I like it ! For house, letters, ornaments of Christmas tree, for supporting actors and for the connection with past. In rest, it is only a Hallmark Christmas film, not impressive but nice , not memorable but sweet, the chemistry between the main character being, in nice manner, replaced , by a fair complementarity, working not just bad. The soft confusions as obstacles against relation are a good point. The result, beautiful , first for the flavors of a lost time and family spirit.

Alicia Witt was spot-on perfect a few years back in "Merry Mix Up." She can act, as was particularly evidenced by the scene in which she was alone in a bathroom and had an emotional breakdown - it was subtle and very moving. Since then, her Christmas movies have gone downhill, mostly because she acts so goofy. What's with the overbaked facial expressions, weird voice inflections, and klutzy looking body movements ? This new movie is a good, solid, well-written story that keeps your interest. But, there are only three reasons to watch it :

1. Colin Ferguson (as Morgan) and the great Jill Larson (Opal of "All My Children") are very good, particularly Larson in a supporting role that is pivotal to the plot.

2. Witt's hair. In the first hour there is a scene where she stoops over to talk to some kids and her long hair completely covers her face. It's like the kids are talking to Cousin Itt from the Addams Family ! Then, in a longer scene, as she is performing, her hair hangs straight down, then its back behind her ears, then its behind her left ear only, no wait - now its straight down, nope - it's back behind both ears, yikes - now only the right side of her hair is behind an ear, now it's straight down again, etc.,etc. Does that hair move by itself you wonder ! This serious lack of continuity is hilarious - you got to see it to believe it. Plus, you can't understand how the director let this happen in the finished product ! The most blatant and continual lack of continuity I have ever seen in a film.

3. Witt's performance. During the first hour, she overacts beyond belief. At times, she gives these looks of horror or shock that are laughably inappropriate to what is going on in the scene. And her body movements are childlike or just plain clumsy. At the end of the hour, my wife said, "I think we are going to find out that her character has a mental problem - something disturbing happened to her." Seriously?! Ya think ?! But, Witt almost redeems herself in the second hour. She settles down, removes the distracting aqua blue nail polish that her character (an attorney) would never wear, pulls her hair back out of her face (per the frustrated make-up staff probably), and she seems to concentrate on what she is doing. She is actually quite good and heartfelt.

All in all, pretty entertaining and unintentionally hilarious. Can't wait until Witt's funny fiasco next Christmas. Who was it that said, "Always keep 'em laughing!".