Christmas at Graceland: Home for the Holidays

My guilty pleasure, hallmark love stories and even better, Christmas love stories. I wanted to like this movie. However there was no chemistry between the two leads. Not a knock on their acting ability but they just didn't feel like a couple falling in love. And from a fan's perspective they just seemed oddly matched. Well the good thing is we have many more first run movies coming this holiday season.

This sequel isn't because it jumps to completely different people with a completely different story.

For a movie that relies on so many themes that have been used way too often, it has some moments that aren't derivative but a lot of what is unique has to do with Graceland. I was especially irritated with how much the controlling father-vs-the-spontaneous-nanny theme was exactly like several other movies, including some not around Christmas.

Adrian Grenier doesn't seem like he is good at warm romantic. It sure didn't seem like there was much chemistry between Grenier and Kaitlin Doubleday. I think Doubleday did her part and certainly did well as a high energy and engaging person.

The story lacks any serious conflict and the only tension is Harper's job search and Owen's business deal (which I never really understood), neither conflict being earth shaking. In general terms the outcome is predictable and there aren't any surprises along the way.

Then there's music and soundtrack. The soundtrack has several Elvis songs and the movie ends with a couple of musical performances. One was Doubleday singing Home for the Holidays with some backup from the kids. Her performance is enjoyable enough, but not really concert worthy. Chase Bryant does a short and not particularly Elvis-like Blue Christmas and then provides background to conversations that advance the movie.

Unfortunately, those conversations just don't seem authentic. Likewise the outcomes don't seem reasonable. In at least one case, it involves what would be a total personality change which I just don't buy.

Overall, I like musical performances in movies if the actors have some talent. The Elvis background will be a plus for some and not for others. The story is without sparkle as is the acting. For a romance, this was one in which I really didn't care that much because it wasn't that great. 6 stars may be generous, but then I didn't find anything that was an overwhelming turn off and good music always raises my ratings.

The first half hour of the movie I was struck with the production values; it looks beautiful, put together well, and for the most part has a very attractive cast. It was fun getting into the lives of the characters, and everyone does a fine job of acting. I was going along really enjoying the movie, and then it just crept up on me, that they were talking me to death. Very little happens except a lot of talkie-talkie and the movie starts to drag. So it would be difficult to recommend the movie, unless that's the mood you are in, to be talked at, or if you know you only have 45 minutes to watch something and then you are going to have to go to the store, or work, or church or something and never come back.

It has few virtues - the name of director, Adrian Grenier, the kids and the presence of madame Presley. And nothing more. The theme of single daddy and lovely nanny is generous but full of cliches in this case. The story - not in the fair balance. And the details - not for save it. But, like many Hallmark films, it remains a nice try.

Main characters were not very charismatic. The Elvis music was a plus but Pricilla Presley's scenes were painful to watch due to her hideous facial 'enhancements'.