Un fidanzato sotto l'albero

7.5 stars.

A woman manages a theater that does Broadway type shows and Christmas shows like Nutcracker etc. She is in charge of production and the dancers and keeping everything going smoothly. They are having some issues with the budget, things aren't going as well as they should, so her boss hires a consultant of sorts to help make a change. Coincidentally, he was once a boy who bullied her in high school, now he's a man who is interfering with her work life. She has traumatic memories of his bullying, we are not talking about teasing and friendly stuff, he incessantly engaged in very hurtful pranks focused on her, and the unwelcome memories have resurfaced. Now she has no choice but to deal with the memories as they are working together.

This film paints a picture of a woman who is having difficulty moving past her recollections of torment. Per the usual blueprint of this genre, the two of them will eventually be romantically involved - it's inevitable. I find it interesting how this story focuses on her intense struggles to overcome the fear that was ingrained in her from over 10 years ago. This is not something to take lightly, it's about bullying and what it does to people and the long lasting effects. It's painful, it burns, and it leaves deep wounds.

This movie was a waste of my Saturday night. Lila needs to grow up. She's controlling when it comes to her job. The theater will fall apart if she doesn't have her hands in everything. She's distrusting of a man she knew in high school. She's easily in her 30's but living in high school and can't get past it. There is absolutely no chemistry between the 2 leads. The secret Santa storyline has been played out a few too many times. Although I don't mind that as much. That part of the movie was the only interesting thing. I think Great American Family did a miss with this movie. You can skip this one.

Reading some of the reviews,,,its obvious that some people has never been the victims,were bullies themselves,and don't bullying and/or don't understanding the lasting effects that this has in people. I think Lila was in all he right to be cautious with Glenn. Bullying can have a lasting effect on people,mess with your self esteem,self worth,mental health and social life. Lila wasn't immature like some people commented here,she was in all her right to be the way she was around Glenn. And sometimes a simple "I'm sorry" doesn't suffice.

With that been said,I think Glenn should've done much more to gain Lila's trust and.trust,not just a few gifts cause he was her "secret santa"... Themes like bullying should be treat more seriously in TV shows and movies and not take like "kids will be kids"or "that was so long ago,get over it" kind of thing.

After all, I like the movie overall.

Don't like when actors/actresses can't get the British accent right. Assistant to the main character... went from down south to high Brit. Get the accents if you want to sell a movie. It's so ugh... those of us who know, know. As I keep watching it gets worse. The movie itself is good. But as I watch and listen, it just makes me want to pull my teeth out. There is the Bully aspect, said in the early parts, and comes to a head near the end, which may trigger those of low continence. But time for folks who have been a bully and regretted it. And who have been a victim of a bully and rise above it?! All in all a cute Holiday movie. Just don't put a 'Brit' in a movie like this unless they are authentic.

Apparently, Lila is still living in high school. She is prickly and immature. I will admit that the pranks Glenn played in high school were bad. Very bad. But how many years have passed? It is odd that she turned out successful if she is still carrying so much pain. Successful people learn and grow from such trauma. And let it go.

Glenn was even more unlikeable. He was insulting. At least for a while. That is the pattern in movies like this - there has to be animosity between the leads in the beginning and then it completely disappears. Usually it disappears instantly without much transition. In this case, it went away a little slower but still seemed rush. However, they only have 1-1/2 for the whole story. I also thought the end result didn't make sense in that it was rushed.

The acting was fair. The dialogue was flat. The story depended on a Secret Santa theme which is common. There were no great highs or lows or surprises. Most of the tension revolved around either Lila vs Glenn or the guest dancer with neither being earth shaking.