'You Light Up My Christmas' is another one of those Lifetime Christmas films to have a rather cheesy and uninspired title, but also have a story that potentially could be quite charming and sweet. There never has been any bias against Lifetime's output, much of it is formulaic sure and some of it has just as much corn and schmaltz of that of Hallmark's but with the right leads and the right amount of charm and heart they can have some likeability. Provided that not too much is expected from it.
Didn't expect a massive amount from 'You Light Up My Christmas' and overall got a film that isn't that bad but isn't really my definition of good. If people think otherwise fair enough and good for them, there are sporadic good things but personally do actually agree with the criticisms that have been cited. As far as the 2019 Lifetime Christmas films (a very hit and miss batch, with most falling somewhere in between) are, 'You Light Up My Christmas' to me is among the worst.
The best thing about 'You Light Up My Christmas' is Kim Fields, who radiates with energy and charm and it was easy to be endeared to her. If it seems like she's overacting, to me she wasn't, it is because unlike the rest of the cast she actually looked as though she was trying.
It is a pleasant looking film, especially the scenery. The music is pleasant enough, and is not as constant or intrusive as with other Lifetime efforts.
On the other hand, 'You Light Up My Christmas' has a lot of debits. A big one being Adrian Holmes, who looks bored out of his mind throughout. The chemistry between him and Fields is at best bland and takes too little time to develop. Lisa Welchel overplays her character and makes her even more annoying than she already was. Emma is the only halfway likeable and interesting character, all the others are dull as dishwater or irritate. The interaction throughout between everybody doesn't come over as natural enough, being both forced and static. The direction is at best only functional and at most points it's leaden.
Calling 'You Light Up My Christmas' cliched sums it up well, both story and characters, and that is being generous. Some familiar (well actually well worn out) story tropes here, all predictably executed. The first portions are slow and quite thinly plotted, uneventful at times, and some decision making seemed contrived. The script lays it on too thick with the corn and slushy schmaltz, not unexpected but it was overkill in places. The film doesn't get off to a particularly good start, very cheesy and quite dull, while the ending is rushed and too tidy and the lack of tension and conflict severely hurts what little there is of the drama.
Summing up, weak but not unwatchable. 3/10
