Natal a la mode

Once again we have the family business being squeezed by big business....but also a prodigal sister too. Big business is actually rather ethical throughout this rendition, but the sister is an over-the-top antagonist. Our leads fall into the ubiquitous slow-burn romance once again, but since this is Lifetime, not Hallmark, I was disappointed the romance elements were so hesitant and G-rated. The leads were featured in another series called Confessions. While a much grittier, darker drama, the same leads' romance was much more intense and palpable. However, for a fluff piece movie, their acting was still engaging and we get our somewhat surprise happy ending.

You could summarize the entire movie, along with predicting the ending, from the previews that were shown on the network constantly prior to the premiere. There was one small piece that supported the token outcome and most people will figure it out as soon as the vehicle for that piece is introduced.

I have never liked the save-the-family-business/farm trope. It's tolerable if it stays in the background. But Emily expended 10 times as much effort and emotion on saving the farm as she did on Charlie.

Many Christmas movies have thin plot lines. They back it up and fill out the movie with likeable characters and chemistry between the leads. One character was likeable. The other character might generate sympathy for her cause, and maybe respect for perseverance, but I wouldn't want to spend time with her, much less date her. That's OK, because I wouldn't call anything they did dating. Besides cutting down a tree, and arguing, much of their time together was spent with other characters like her mother and/or sister.

This didn't need to be a Christmas movie. It could have easily been Fourth of July given the apple pie ice cream. There were several references to Santa figurines, and this could have led to an interesting subplot, but it didn't happen. They didn't need them. There were no Christmas Carols, snow ball fights or other common traditions.

Not that bad, but not all that enjoyable either.

'Christmas a la Mode' is your basic, standard made-for-TV festive film. Katie Leclerc and Ryan Cooper are cute together, though none of the support cast stand out. The plot is a solid if cliché-filled one, I will say they tie it together well enough.

Loved the actress for once. Other than the big 3, which everybody likes, most others are lousy until this woman.................worth watching.........

Both actors worked together on "Confess" (a booked I read and a TV show I watched), so there is my excuse for watching this. But, where was the Christmas? We had that one tree, a million Santa Clauses and a couple decorations, that's it. Christmas is not an essential part of the movie. That may be the biggest problem.

"I've fallen for you" excuse me, you spent all of three afternoons together and you are saying things like that to a stranger? I don't think so. There was not enough scenes between Emily and Charlie to actually see them falling for the other. Yes, he is charming, very easy to the eyes, and her enthusiasm is admirable, but they are strangers. I did not care a bit about the sister.

Other than those two being my biggest problems, I actually liked it. Being in quarantine I had to entertain myself and this did it. Would I watch it again? I don't think so. Would I watch another movie with Katie and Ryan together? Yes.