Christmas Perfection

If you love the movie Groundhog Day, you will love this Christmas version of it. It actually is a very sweet Christmas movie...... and not as frustrating as Groundhog Day. I think the story line is just adorable and well worth the watch. Happy Christmas to you.

Am not somebody who hates Christmas or has a bias against made for television Christmas films. The complete opposite on both counts and have made that clear more than once and will continue to do so if necessary (though am refraining as much as possible from reiterating too much). The comparisons to 'Groundhog Day', a great film, made it sound very appetising and if done well or at least competently it did have potential to be good.

'Christmas Perfection' is not perfection, a long way from that. It doesn't even reach good level, the complete opposite, and the worst done components are done terribly. Am taking no pleasure in offering that opinion, being somebody who has actually liked a good deal of Christmas romantic comedy made for television films. As well as being somebody who tries to be as balanced and encouraging as possible when reviewing and summing up the good and bad.

It is not a complete loss. The soundtrack is pleasant enough. The supporting cast do ably with what they are given.

James Henri-Thomas is also game as the only one of the three leads and of all the characters to have anything remotely likeable about him.

The other characters are too underdeveloped and unsympathetic other than that. Two of the three leads are incredibly weak, especially Caiitlin Thompson as a character that is very obnoxious and she plays her with very little ease or charisma. There is no chemistry at all between the three leads, either romantic or of any kind and they are painfully stiff together throughout. The romantic element suffers badly as a result, something that is further hurt by relationships being rushed and no character growth.

All the comedic attempts are laboured and have no freshness whatsoever and the more dramatic elements are far too mawkish. None of the different elements work on their own and together they are poorly balanced, with a tendency to be over-serious. Add to that inane dialogue, no spark let alone charm, warmth or heart, emotional coldness, quite cheap production values that never look authentic and contrivance galore and you have a film that really does not work on most levels.

Has a few decent things but 'Christmas Perfection' couldn't have been more further away from being perfection. Good idea with weak at best execution. 3/10

I watch a lot of Lifetime movies and I have no problem with the cheese factor. However, the main character in this movie is ridiculously annoying, and it's highly unlikely that in reality any of her friends or family members would tolerate her bratty behavior. Lifetime doesn't have to make every white woman seem like an idiot with unrealistic and overly privileged expectations, but they're so good at it. This made it really hard for me to get through the first part of the movie. I know that they're trying to show character growth and "Christmas is more than just X" but...just TRY to make it a little more realistic!

So, most of these movies in this Christmas genre tend to be too silly and not to my liking. This may have to be more with being low budgeted and quickly made. Lifetime alone can now show several movies a day without showing the same one twice. So, this movie is both silly and far fetching to say the least, however, I was sucked in and I must say, I did enjoy it. As a man, eye candy is always appreciated and Caitlin Thompson was adorable! Making it an Irish Christmas town added to it's charm. I grew up watching It's A Wonderful Life and there is an element of that in this story. Also, elements of Groundhog Day show up as well. But, that's okay. I hope you can enjoy this movie as much as I did. Merry Christmas!!!

I really enjoyed this film. I think the main character just got stuck into wanting to control Christmas to make it perfect. I recommend watching this movie on a lazy morning before heading out to buy a Christmas village.