Christmas in Louisiana

Luke and Sarah had absolutely no chemistry! But the Grandparents were adorable and so was Sarah's Mama!

I love watching Lifetime movies during the Holidays. Most of them have regurgitated storylines (i.e., successful big city man/woman goes back home to their small town) but they are still usually very entertaining. This, although very entertaining, missed the mark incredibly with their co-leads. Percy Daggs III was a little too goofy to be taken seriously as a love interest for Jana Kramer. They literally had ZERO chemistry. However, I loved the dynamic between Dee Wallace and Barry Bostwick.

I loved this movie. She's beautiful, he's handsome. I thought they had wonderful chemistry. As for the accent not being there, I for one, being born and raised in Alabama, still Iive here, HATE when someone/actors try to talk "country" or have a different accent than they're born with because they sound ridiculous, so I appreciate them using their normal voice. I've watched many movies with people trying to sound southern and I wanted to scream. Ugh! This movie was one of the best this season. Would definitely recommend.

3 generations: grandma and grandpa, mom (Moira) and Sara (Jana). They all won't the Christmas festival.

Sara won in 2004. It's now the 50th anniversary. Gran won 50 years ago where she fell in love with her husband Mr. Christmas. 50 years ago. 1969. Her granddaughter was a senior in 2004 so born 1986. 21 years late. The mom is said to have won in 1989. That works out with when her parents won but by that then she would have had her daughter when she was 15?!? It's driving me nuts.

It's too spread out over too many characters. Sara and Luke have zero chemistry. Jana has done some ok stuff but is also annoying.

This is a miss for me.

One should never expect classic status from a Lifetime film. Actually find a good deal of them watchable and have been pleasantly surprised by enough of their Christmas output. They are inconsistent and have done a fair share of unimpressive work, including their Christmas films, but it has been interesting seeing them for completest sake. Which was my main reason for seeing 'Christmas in Louisiana', as well as loving the holiday so much.

2019's 'Christmas in Louisiana' is neither one of Lifetime's best or worst, both Christmas and as an overall whole. If to land it in any category it would for me be in the average middle one when it comes to talking about their variable festive output, with a number of major good things but also a number of equally major bad things. So a bit of a mixed opinion here on 'Christmas in Louisiana' even when more or less knowing what to expect.

'Christmas in Louisiana' has its virtues. Jana Kramer is very charming and alluring in her role and makes her character likeable and interesting. Dee Wallace and Barry Bostwick also shone, bringing fun and sincerity to their parts, they are also equally endearing and their dynamic was the most believable by far. Most of the acting actually was above average, with one exception which will be come onto later. Some parts are heart-warming and have a nice charm.

It is an attractive looking film, especially the scenery. The music had pleasant moments.

However, there are drawbacks. Do absolutely agree about the criticisms in regard to Percy Daggs III, who came over as unintentionally goofy and quite annoying. Also about the practically non-existent and totally wrong chemistry between him and Kramer. The characters are a mixed bag, really liked Sarah, Doris and Timothy. Luke however was annoying and difficult to take seriously and the rest seemed underdeveloped.

Did find too much of the story on the dull and padded side, doing nothing new with familiar ground. Charm and heart come in spurts, but too much of the film is bland and erratically paced. It has too many subplots and under-develops almost all of them, especially the central romance, so there is a sense of trying too much, but the basic story felt too over-stretched and thin. The ending is too pat and too hastily wrapped up. The script can be pretty corny and has too much schmaltzy froth. The direction gets the job done but with not much distinction.

Overall, a bit mixed here. 5/10