Surpresa de Amor no Natal

Not sure why there are complainers! It was much better than the traditional plot line that always has someone eager to spoil the romantic opportunity between the two main characters! This worked out with two adults deciding how to conduct their own lives! We get tired of the miserable mother plot lines!

The characters were all likeable and pleasant. There weren't obscure complications to their lives or personalities!

We enjoyed the Markie Post character in the story. It was sad to realize the health concern that seemed to be her issue in the story line wa S actually a personal concern and that she passed away two years after this film was made! She was a very pleasant strong actress and sorry to realize this was one of her last film rolls.

It was a pleasant Christmas afternoon film to watch as we prepared for Christmas ahead.

Melissa Joan Hart and Michael Gross were the main reasons to see 'Christmas Reservations', being someone who has liked both of them in other things. Love Christmas too, probably a well known fact by now, and have no bias whatsoever against Lifetime Christmas films (although some of my previous reviews for them may indicate in a way otherwise). So there was no prejucial hate towards 'Christmas Reservations' before, actually wanted it to work.

That it didn't work or come off that well actually disappointed me. Lifetime have certainly done a lot worse with their Christmas films, they have also done a lot better. 'Christmas Reservations' is in no way a terrible film, but to me it was disappointing as it was not one of those films that was doomed from the get go (not many films in existence can be classed as that in my view). There was a halfway decent film somewhere in 'Christmas Reservations' that never materialised.

'Christmas Reservations' by all means did have good things. The best assets are the performances of Hart and Gross, both very likeable in their roles. Hart provides the what little there is of warmth and heart, while Gross is right in keeping with the film's tone (no overplaying or over-seriousness) Markie Post is also fun and fully engages.

It's nicely filmed and the locations are also easy on the eyes and appropriately festive. Some of the music has a pleasing nostalgic quality.

Ricardo Chavira however doesn't always look comfortable and is a rather bland presence. His chemistry with Hart doesn't really take off either and they don't really connect with each other, which makes it very difficult to root for. A big problem for a relationship that plays a major role in the film and the relationship itself is not very well developed, lacking in any conflict or charm. The direction seldom rises above routine and the pace is erratic, at times rushed from being over-stuffed and also dull because the execution is so bland and because there is too much padding.

Furthermore, 'Christmas Reservations' feels rather over-stuffed from having too many characters and too many subplots. And sadly, it doesn't do anywhere near enough with any of them. All the characters pretty much are underwritten, with no real depth and Lifetime stereotypes that are not much distinct from their other films. All the subplots are excessively predictable, can be contrived and none of them are delved into enough. That all makes 'Christmas Reservations' very bland emotionally. The script is very stilted and the corn and sentimentality go into overdrive, especially early on and when things get unrealistically sappy at the end.

Overall, very lacklustre. 4/10

I must have a hundred or so hallmark, lifetime etc. Romance films on my drive but the leaden, stilted performances of the leads here and the sledgehammer multi race/culture/everything ism killed it for me in the scene setting. I'd like to throw the diversity and musical directors in a pit and leave them there.

I really like Melissa Joan Hart but this one did not flow. They tried to throw in too many characters and subplots that just felt rushed or like they didn't belong. I tried to like this one! Also, Carlos from Desperate Housewives kind of bugs me.

I'll show up to watch Melissa Joan Hart read the phone book. She won my heart and eternal loyalty with two of her early Hallmark movies: My Fake Fiance and Holiday in Handcuffs. This one isn't close to ranking with those, but it had enough positives to keep me interested in a film that was mostly by the book as far as the principal romance was concerned. Her love interest was very attractive, but the chemistry just wasn't there. That is deadly for a TV Christmas movie. However, the cast had some good secondary stars. Markie Post was reliable as usual. it's hard to believe she is almost 70 years old. Happy Birthday, Markie, by the way. The actress who played her sister fascinated with her bordering on insane grin and perkiness. They were named Tay and Kay. That was odd. Ted McGinley did a great job as a scruffy has-been silver medalist skier. Loved the Americanized Indian daughter and traditional grandmother story. But I thought her love interest was miscast. I love nerds, but... well, let's just say she could do much much better. Michael Gross was unexceptional. He was OK. There were some nice touches that added value: The back story of the Inn, the placards that introduced each "chapter," and the wrap up of all the stories was nicely done, with a bit of humor. Of course, as always, the sets looked like a Christmas bomb went off, but that's OK. I love to laugh at those crazy decorations.