Turma Reunida no Natal

I love that the Liberty commercial guy is in this. He's actually very charming and was probably the best actor in this movie. I was a huge Friday Night Lights fan and Aimee Teegarden was really great in it. What this says to me, is that the Hallmark writers need to work a little harder with the dialogue they give. Next year I would love to see the successful girl go back to her hometown...she can still fall in love with the one that got away or whatever....just make the man move to the big city. You wanna know why? City life is AWESOME! And you absolutely should live there if you can. Not everyone wants a life in the suburbs.

7.2 stars.

This is about a bunch of classmates at senior prom, then we jump forward 15 years to class reunion happening during the holidays. There are lots of highs and lows surrounding it, and few speed bumps along the way, and the question is: will it even happen?

Many people say this was poorly made, or they complain about the storyline, such as how could someone possibly think that a class reunion over the holidays is a good idea for a plot...

I usually only criticize movies that lack the crucial elements: entertaining, chemistry, dialogue, acting, and music. This film has them all, and while they aren't stellar, they are above average. If the minimum requirements are met, the movie is on lock.

Teagarden is one of my favorites for Hallmark and is the reason for my favorite Hallmark film so far, which I rated 9.6 stars. If you're curious, you'll have to read my reviews and find it.

Back to this movie. There is a major variance from most Hallmarks surrounding the fact that our lead female basically loves two different guys, and both guys are really cool. They are both "good" guys, not sleazy, but friendly, not asymmetrical, but very handsome. Of course we can guess which one she will choose, obviously the one who raised a really great kid (and she is a great little actress that one).

Elle (Aimee Teegarden) was an over-achiever in high school and still is. I could not figure out why on earth she would want to continually try to oversee class reunions especially since each one since their graduation has been a disaster for one reason or another. She even states that "it's the job of the class president to plan reunions." Devin Ryan, her classmate, says he didn't realize that it was a lifelong position. I thought the same thing. I know our class reunions were never planned by the class president. She is really rude to Devin. A lot. Repeatedly. While Devin with stars in eyes, is the ever-longsuffering male lead who puts up with her excessive, whiny demands just hoping to somehow merit a sideways gland and a smile from the diva who can do no wrong. Crumbs from her table.

Yasmeen Kelders, who plays Devin's daughter, was adorable and spot on in her acting. Watch for this kid. She will go places.

Samantha's assistant, James, is so over-the-top with his gay-ness he is not even believable. I get that Hallmark is trying to make a statement that they are not homophobic, but damn, tone it down a bit. James was literally a caricature.

And WHY is Aimee ALWAYS AND FOREVER clearing her throat? That is so annoying! She does it in every single movie.

And lastly, This movie has little or mothing to do with Christmas other than the word is its title. There were not even any beautiful street decorations to admire. But then again, we were spared the timeworn clichés of the snowball fights and the tree lighting. Finally "Santa" shows up and "saves the reunion". Way to go, Santa. But he can't save the movie. It's a snoozer.

I have loved Aimee Teegarden since the Friday Night Lights days, and I have enjoyed all her Christmas movies for Hallmark - last year's 'My Christmas Family Tree' and 2018's 'Once Upon a Christmas Miracle are standouts - to this point, and enjoyed them all.

So of course I was anticipating 'Christmas Class Reunion' which sees the "cursed" class of 2007 reunite at Christmas (because everyone is already in town for the holidays) fifteen years after they graduated high school.

There are a number of intertwined stories but Elle's (Teegarden) is the main one, as she plans the reunion - which doesn't exactly go to her meticulous plan - whilst being torn between her high school crush and the guy who she didn't really like back then, the class clown who has matured and has a daughter.

It's a fairly predictable movie in the sense that you have a pretty good idea of exactly what's going to happen, but there are some nice moments throughout the film that definitely resonate. Christmas is a wonderful time for nostalgia, and what is more nostalgic than a high school reunion at Christmas?

Don't over-think a movie like this. Just watch and enjoy. Yes, everything ends happily, but that's fine. That's what you want from a movie like this! You could do a lot worse. Indeed, Hallmark HAS done a lot worse this year and in past years.

I really enjoyed this movie for what it is: fun entertainment that is easy to follow and fairly captivating.

In reading many of my peers' contributions here, my view is clearly a departure from theirs. While I agree that the plot wasn't airtight on each and every detail, I fail to understand how a movie that is covering about 6 sub-plots/relationships could go that deep.

Elle (Teagarden) indeed has a job with "Zigg", and it's true we never really know the company's profile. Is that really necessary to understand the overall gist of the movie? Not at all. We know that this firm has come into challenging times, and it threatens Elle's self-confidence, because she has placed her identity in her work. Another reviewer stated that this is disappointing; I respect this, however, I myself truly relate. I work in non-profit, but if my job were threatened, my purpose and joy would be rocked; I try to work on this, but I would absolutely need to recalibrate. To me, the point of her statement "My resume is who I am" is not that her identity is the money she earns, but that her work is her 'comfort zone' - she is structured, disciplined, very Type-A, and many people are similar.

It is only until this painful moment happens that she is forced to reconsider her priorities, and for that reason, she is able to step back and see how it hasn't been as wonderful as she thought.

- I agree that she is somewhat aloof, because in this role, her respect for a peer that was silly, undisciplined, and her complete opposite in high school is understandably sparse. She doesn't keep that mindset for the entire movie, and realizes that Devin has found wisdom worth sharing.

I loved Aimee in other movies, especially I think "Christmas miracle", where she plays a very ill and endearing young lady. To see her in two very different roles, but equally believable, shows her range and skill.

- I loved the couple that had their marriage issues; oddly enough, the young man was so incredibly handsome and charming (i'm not related, I swear) - the actor looked absolutely in love with his movie partner, but I did think she was somewhat like a shell of a person. I appreciated the realistic view of a couple that drifts apart due to career, and it's a great foil for the usually magical relationships that Hallmark is known to highlight. (Every HM movie has a conflict, but it's rare for the conflict to be this level of "icy"; while it's not fun to feel these emotions, they are truly a reality for millions of people. It helps to see that - surprise! - we are truly not alone, and even the bliss-filled Christmas world of Hallmark has complexities.) - The story lines that were also included, but for me, lacked enough depth to warrant a "10", were the ones that featured the 'nerd that became a success' with her amusing assistant, as well as the father/daughter storyline that failed to be authentic to me. (he didn't have enough 'fatherly' factor to seem like her dad, and she needs to be in movies that allow her to be the focal point - not a bit part) I laughed aloud at the start, when the movie decides to channel Carrie, because that scream of Aimee's was absolutely hilarious. I also listened - the entire time! - for a 'voice clearing' that Aimee allegedly does, and I heard nothing. That was actually why I decided to watch each detail of the movie, and I must say that I'm disappointed to not be able to hear this allegedly annoying trait of Aimee's!

Overall: enjoy this movie, don't overthink it, and know that if you are the sort of HM movie lover that relates to work/career situations, this is a great Christmas movie for you.