Encontro de Natal

What's nice to see here is that actually by Hallmark film standards these characters are actually pretty battered and broken as people, with real issues rather than "I have to win a gingerbread contest".

It makes for a more engaging film actually, that is well played out by the leads, Jaime King especially.

It isn't without its slower moments, and the humour is perhaps lost a bit, but this was a nice different sort of Hallmark film.

Nick and Elise don't like Christmas. And they meet while strangers are singing Christmas Carols to them very closely, invading personal space. They each have a problem: she doesn't want to put up with her ex-husband and wants her company to be what it used to. He needs a girlfriend to take to the office party so he can make partner. So they make a pact. (There is even a contract).

I, slowly, became a fan of the fake-relationship trope, but it has to be done well. The people involved need to have chemistry, share sweet moments, leart about each other in order for that so-called "relationship to move onto the next phase. This movie had it: Nick sharing his Christmas ghosts. Nick and Elise sharing Christmas traditions. It was sweet.

Luke Macfarlane is becoming one of my favourites. I have seen several of his movies and he always has chemistry with his co-stars. Maybe he is just a really nice guy. I will definitely keep on watching. It was my first time watching Jaime King (i'm not gonna lie, she could definitely play a villain in any movie and I would be terrified), I liked her character. She wasn't the typical cheerful leading lady, which I liked.

This may sound foolish, but all I kept seeing was her hair, which, in my opinion transitioned along with her feelings. At the beginning she only had tight buns, when she met Nick, she used hair tails (i'm not sure that's the term) and even let her hair loose. It was only when they parted at the end that she used a bun again. Maybe it was just a coincidence but I found that beautiful. She was literally and metaphorically letting herself loose.

A few things that bothered me: the ex-husband (of course), his girlfriend (why make her look like an idiot?) those people at the mall singing the Christmas Carols (hello? ever head of personal space and privacy?)And, at the end it was heavily snowing but there was no snow on the streets?

While I really enjoyed it, i'll probably won't watch again.

The more I see Luke Macfarlane, the more I want him and he is just so naturally adorable in this film, especially in his little duffle coat. I also really like Jaime King here too, but her hair stylist is not kind to her and some of her wardrobe is questionable. The ex however, is quite possibly the most irritating man on TV ever. His face alone makes me want to hit him. Sorry to the actor in question, it's just my natural feeling.

This is a cute film, similar to others where pacts or promises are made to pretend to be each other's significant other for the holidays, but it's done very well in this case. Full of festive fun and who wouldn't fall for my boy Luke doing so many romantic things together?

I've seen this one a few times now and will watch it again.

A clever plot with lots of twists and good humorous lines. Also meaningful character growth. A little different from the usual Christmas movie. Most enjoyable. Also satisfying to watch.

I watch this movie over and over, year after year. If I see it listed to broadcast, I get excited.

The premise has been used a few times, but somehow this one feels a little different. It is a straightforward story. I've seen this movie enough I can't objectively say if there are any surprises, but I don't really think so, at least not big ones. That doesn't matter. This is a case where the actors are what makes it. I will say that I think the bit with the Reindeer report plays out a little uniquely.

I've seen Luke MacFarlane a few times now and those movies are usually good. He delivers a solid performance in this one. He and Jaime King definitely have chemistry. But watching Jaime King again for I don't know how many times, I am more impressed than ever. She is perfectly cast for this movie. Elise isn't an ice queen, but you might think so at first glance and King plays the dichotomy perfectly. She shows the hidden depth of feeling. She shows a wounded woman falling in love and trying not to hope that this time things will go right. It's a contract and Elise holds rigidly to it, yet doesn't.

I often say in reviews that what makes a good movie in this genre is having plenty of screens time for the leads to build their relationship and this movie does that generously.

Christmas romance movies are a guilty pleasure and this one fits my taste buds perfectly.

About the movie vs the book: I didn't realize there was a book until after I had seen the movie twice at least and written the review above. I saw a review mentioning the book, so I found it and read it. The movie and the book are as different as can be. If you change the names of the characters and the contract, it could be said that this movie is not really based on the book at all. The contract is similar, but so are the premises of so many Christmas movies. The contract in the book is not initiated in the same was as the movie. Other characters in the book are nothing like the ones in the movie. Elise is not as confident, but she is also scarred, probably more than the movie Elise. Situations are different and events are different. The book is also great. But It has a much more serious side to it and the climax is touching.