Natal no Restaurante Chinês

I loved this one. I also loved the movie's message about embracing imperfections and being present.

I really liked the ensemble cast, storylines, and how they all weaved together-thanks to The Golden Dragon. The stories were rich in family and Christmas traditions.

The writing was nicely done and delivered heartwarming moments from start to finish.

Also, I'm putting in a request for Hallmark to do a movie with Antonio Cupo and Sarah Canning together...they had a great chemistry in this movie that could really shine in a movie with the two of them as leads.

I definitely recommend this movie!

'Christmas at the Golden Dragon' (2022)

Opening thoughts: 'Christmas at the Golden Dragon' was mainly seen for Hallmark film completest sake. Their 2022 output, like all their previous years, was unsurprisingly uneven. With some highs, some lows and plenty somewhere in between. But considering the tumultuous couple of years, the standard generally could have been worse. This is obvious in their Christmas block, which was very patchy in its first half but on the whole it did improve quite a bit. The type of location is a familiar one, but it didn't sound as formulaic as most Hallmark films and have always appreciated it when Hallmark explore family relationships and more serious themes.

There are better 2022 Hallmark films than 'Christmas at the Golden Dragon', not just their Christmas output but overall too. There are also worse. 'Christmas at the Golden Dragon' is in the high middle category. It could easily have been one of the best 2022 Hallmark films, with so much being as well executed as they were, but the less than promising first portion stopped that from happening. Stick with it as it does get better.

Bad things: Starting with the not so good things, 'Christmas at the Golden Dragon' Starts off very badly, didn't see the point of the montage, it didn't add much and doesn't really say anything.

Didn't warm to the characters straightaway, the character flaws being a little overdone which was a common problem in the 2022 Hallmark output. And it is slow to begin with.

Good things: With all of that being said, the film does get a lot better and there are a lot of good things. Kara Wang and Osric Chau (always nice to see non-regular Hallmark performers every now and again) are very engaging leads and are as good as any popular Hallmark regular when on form. They have a sincere and easy going chemistry together and the relationship is not too hurried or aimless. They are well served by the supporting cast, with the standouts being charming Genevieve Buechner and the ever classy Barbara Niven.

Moreover, the character writing does improve a lot, the characters become more likeable and grow. Production values are suitably slick, lovely locations as is often the case with Hallmark (though the locations' authenticity has always varied) and the music has a nice festive cosiness. There is a lght hearted and never awkward or cheesy script and the story has a lot of charm and warm heart, while having some familiar elements they are not done too predictably. The family relationships are handled honestly, movingly and tactfully.

Closing thoughts: In conclusion, starts rough but mostly good.

7/10.

7.3 stars.

Talk about an exceedingly sluggish start to a film, this one is in the top of the charts for sluggishness. 'Christmas at the Golden Dragon' is so slow starting I almost gave up, but I have taken note of the fact Hallmark continues to air it about once a month, so I decided (after passing over it many times) to give it a shot. I was not disappointed. You absolutely must give the story time to marinate. This is a very steady slow burn that literally gets better by the minute, and I mean every single minute it continues to improve. To provide you with my boring analysis, this film starts off at about 3/10 but an hour in I was up to a 5.5/10, and by the end it crested the 7 star mark. Give it a try, you might be glad you did.

This movie is one of my favourite Christmas movies this year. It isn't typical Christmas movie it is different and it works. The movie is about a neighbourhood Chinese family restaurant that gathers people from all corners of life and making them a family. The movie showed more than one story and maybe for some people it was too much.but for me it worked I felt the movie moved along great and I could focus on all characters . I loved the main story, how can one place be link between different people from all walks of life. There were romance stories but they weren't the main focus, the focus was on Christmas and family. Have to admit the final scene made me a bit teary..

I was a bit put off by this movie at first. It starts with a corporate office montage presentation for ten silent people sitting around a large conference table. Ten. The bold premise behind this Very Important presentation:

"Christmas is about peace, not productivity."

"That's where Harlow Furnishings' new accessories line comes in."

"Family is always your best decoration."

Uh, what?

Was Romy trying to sell those 10 silent people on the idea that Christmas is wonderful? That family is wonderful? I replayed the montage and didn't see any furnishings- just a bunch of people eating, drinking and enjoying the holidays. Does she work for Harlow Furnishings as a designer? Marketing executive? What exactly is she trying to sell? Christmas decorations? For who? The logo was a green modern chair. What? Do they sell modern furniture? Who is she trying to sell on the idea of Christmas themed furnishings a few days before Christmas? It's a little late for 2022 and way too early for 2023. I understand the desire to present Romy as a very important busy person but I have no idea what she does or why.

And the focus on an ensemble cast seemed better suited for a longer format. I wish Hallmark would do more two-parters like they did last year with Sister Swap. Or make a few limited series. Some stories just don't fit into a two hour movie.

But I was won over by the engaging and often touching stories. Romy, played by Kara Wang, and her doting boyfriend Blake, played by Markian Tarasiuk, made a nice couple, as did the Golden Dragon owners. Romy has a fantastic mic drop moment when she speaks Chinese to a couple of servers (and yet surprisingly tempered her comment with some empathy).

I wanted more of Veronica's story, even though she may have had the meatiest role. And I want more Hallmark movies with Sara Canning, who played Veronica. I liked her blossoming relationship with befuddled single dad (and co-worker) Nate, played by Antonio Cupo, and his two adorable yet realistic kids well played by Juliette Hawk and Mila Jones.

Some of the characters were really flawed, as in life. Rick, the college drop out, was annoyingly spineless and unable to stand up to his shallow frat brothers or the unreasonable demands of his father and Sadie paid the price. Twice. She deserved sooooo much better.

Sadie was played by Genevieve Buechner and I'd like to see more of her. Very impressive, as was her character who interned with a political action coalition, got hired to work as a coordinator for a non-profit after she graduates from UCLA, then plans to go to law school, clerk for a judge and run for office. That woman is going to do Big Things. But Rick...

As Sadie says to Rick with refreshing honesty: "you don't have the best track record for taking charge of your future. ... If you're not happy with your life, you need to take responsibility for what's wrong. Change what you can and work on the rest."

Those are great words of wisdom and advice for a young woman who's going places. Hallmark is dedicated to the fantasy that "love conquers all" but the reality is that those two are going to live very different lives. Apart.

Barbara Niven deserves some sort of Hallmark lifetime achievement award. I think only Lacey Chabert has been in more Hallmark movies. She is always really good and looks great for 69. Heck she looks like she's in her early 50s. She's a rock in whatever she's in.

Blake's Vermont family fooled me. After his parents' reaction to the poinsettia plant, well, they fooled me.

As for Blake, he's in the lead for Best Boyfriend of this Christmas season. He sets the bar pretty high for being supportive. And that gift? Wow. Thoughtful seems too weak a word.