Vila de Natal

It takes a lot for me to give anything my lowest possible rating and dislike something so intensely. Have always tried to be as encouraging and perceptive as possible and actually being critical of things, especially when having to be harsh in fear of saying the wrong things. Giving 'A Christmas Village' a rating so low and a negative review is going to make me sound like a Scrooge and someone that hates Christmas.

This is something that couldn't be further from the truth. It's actually my favourite holiday and there are many good films, specials etc. and even classic ones, ones watched every year and never gotten tired of. 'A Christmas Village' was one of my recent festive film viewings to broaden my horizons and see something different. It was part of a Christmas film quest undertaken at the beginning of this year, and there have been some films that have been regrettable experiences. And 'A Christmas Village' is one of them and one of the worst cases.

'A Christmas Village' has nothing good about it. Now that is something that is very rarely said by me and whenever it has ever been said it has always been so with regret. The least bad thing about it is the setting but that was very difficult to appreciate with such drab filming and with the film's editing looking carelessly slapped together. The music is not much special and is often ham-handed and misplaced.

One of 'A Christmas Village's' worst components is the script, which constantly sounds awkward and can be quite cloying. Worst of all is the attempts at absurd humour, that the film goes far too over the top in and it is often overplayed and seldom fits. The acting is similarly woeful, there is no chemistry between the leads, any attempts are stiff and forced, and the cast are made to constantly overdo their one-dimensional and quite annoying characters and they do it badly.

From a story standpoint, there is no sense of joy or charm and although one doesn't expect the film to be realistic or completely surprising they don't expect non-stop contrivance or to never feel bored watching the film. The summary is not being truthful when it says that the Christmas spirit is in abundance, everything to do with the scandal and saving the reputation complicates the story at times and is a bit mean-spirited. Maybe it was an attempt at providing some depth but it doesn't work.

Summing up, awful, there are so many Christmas films that are a million times better. 1/10

He's so happy. Hank carried the entire movie, trudging along with it on his back. Abs using his broom. Though everything else about the movie was unnecessary, Hank was a constant. He must have been doing a really good job cleaning an unused goat pen, because he luckily stayed there the entire time. Good old Hank, being thorough. If they made a spin-off movie of just hank scrubbing the floor, I would watch it. More hank scenes needed.

A Christmas Village (2018)-

This film was just one of quite a few that I have turned off before even 20 minutes of viewing this year.

It was just far too daft right from the get go and the guy wasn't hot to endure that.

I don't mind comedy elements in my Christmas films or Christmas films that are comedies, but for some reason, a lot of them are just farces and that I can't put up with.

Unscored as Unfinished.

I only viewed the first 20 minutes of this movie and decided I had cringed enough.

Either I'm weird or everyone else is. Have seen plenty of horrendous Hallmark Christmas trash but this movie was definitely better than many. Camerwork, Lighting, Sound, Editing all fairly good/very good unlike the incompetent rubbish found elsewhere. REAL SNOW and trees! Indicating it wasn't shot off-season in Boulder. Script:pacey. Actors:good quality. Lead Actor ...OK bad choice. Lead Actress: fine. Supporting cast:good/fine. The humor got a tad misplaced hear and there, but was a welcome change from schmaltz. It's a Christmas Village and not La Dolce Vita. The cast gave it their energy...enough to make it float.