O Príncipe do Natal

A very 'schmalzy' story, at the level of the Princess' diaries, but nicely done. Rose McIver is just enough 'innocent looking' to make this work. Nicest performance by Honor Kneafsey as the handicapped princess, gaining confidence from her non-teacher. Of course the bad guy and girl are caricatures. Ben Lamb is a prince as the story demands; Alice Krige appears the run-of-the-mill conservative, old queen, but with a few devious traits she saves the role. In short, sentimental, but just right for Christmas.

This movie is like a pretty Christmas package that you unwrap only to find another layer of packaging and so forth to the center with no actual present ever, but in a good way, because if you actually get to the content of a Christmas present you would find out if anybody actually knows and cares enough to give you a meaningful gift and you never wanted that, you just wanted the cozy feeling of seeing a tree with gifts under it and then the lovely idea that we're all about to be nice to each other for once. This movie is that feeling. You should watch it. I did.

First of all, the acting in this film isn't that bad. You can easily tell that everybody is trying their hardest to portray these characters. Some of them came across as real-life people while others just felt like charctercharacterss in a movie. This could mainly be pointed to the writing in this film. Some of the lines in this film were just hilariously bad and cringy and I would give examples but I already forgot them. But I do have to say the scenery was stunning and the production on this was well done. Each set and costume looked perfect for each scene. The costumes fit each character and showed a bit more into their personality. For example, Richard's outifts made him look like royalty but at the same time, a normal guy because that's what he wants to be. This film had lots of pacing issues. From beginning to end it didn't feel like that was the speed it should be going at. The beginning felt slow while the ending felt to fast. The creators of the film might have thought they had a longer film and then realized they only had a one hour and thirty-two-minute film so they had to quickly resolve the film. The last thing I want to talk about is the relationship in this film. It's not believable or relatable. I know it shouldn't be relatable seeing how it is about a journalist falling in love with a prince but the writers still should make it so some people can relate to at least one of them. And it isn't believable because it seems too rushed. Throughout the entire film, they are hardly around each other and then all of a sudden he just loves her. There is no explanation why just little subtle hints. In the end, A Christmas Prince is perfect for people who like RomComs but for others not so much.

Saw 'A Christmas Prince' with my flatmate on Netflix already in the Christmas spirit. After watching, my overall thoughts were that while 'A Christmas Prince' was watchable it left me torn as to what to make of it.

On one view we have a few performances that make the grade. The best performance as the most well-rounded character by far (the only one to get development beyond cliché) comes from Honor Kneafsey, Emily starts off as a brat initially but grows as the character that one roots for the most. Rose McIver and Ben Lamb also give charming performances and have an easy going romantic chemistry. Alice Krige brings understated dignity to the queen.

'A Christmas Prince' looks pretty good. The scenery is beautifully picturesque and has a really festive feel and the castle interiors and exteriors are enough to make one want to stay there. The photography is suitably slick. The music puts one into the festive mood and gives off a cosy nostalgia. Spotting the famous Christmas songs and carols is a delight and there is the serious temptation to sing along.

There is some charm and genuine sweetness here while Amber and Emily's chemistry is very heartfelt. Didn't find myself bored either.

However, the rest of the cast don't make much of an impression, most are bland. Then there is Theo Devaney and Emma Louise Saunders who play their stock villain characters with such broad hamminess that they make over-the-top villain characters in Christmas pantomimes more subtle in comparison.

It is hard to deny too that 'A Christmas Prince', even for trying to take it for what it is, is riddled with clichés, non-stop predictability and contrivance. One has to suspend disbelief at how long it takes for the lie to be exposed, Amber constantly narrowly escaping being caught and how things are resolved far too quickly and easily.

The script throughout is peppered with cheese (especially Simon and Sophia) and mawkish schmaltz, and of the characters although the leads are reasonably likable the only one to have any development is Emily. Simon and Sophia are plot-device material there for the sake of it and the way they're written and their antics jar tonally.

Concluding, very torn on what to think. Part of me can't be too hard on it, but the faults are pretty glaring also. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Of COURSE it's schmaltzy! But it's what we want in a Christmas feel-good romantic movie! Makes you smile, makes you laugh, gives you hope that there are happy endings! Will watch again next year...which is the true sign of a good Christmas movie!