Trading Christmas

I really liked this film. Yes, it was almost a complete copy of "The Holiday" but without the budget or the A-list stars, but it was a good re-telling of that story. The characters were easy to associate with and they were all nice people in their own way. Nobody was irredeemable.

I personally adore Tom Cavanagh, his delivery was just so fun and I could empathise with his characters need to be alone and peaceful to write. Gil Bellows came off a bit creepy, but still a nice guy and all of the leading ladies were very good too.

There wasn't a huge seasonal vibe with regards to the content to fill it, but the story brought a joy and romance that was festive. There was a tree decorating or two, but it wasn't over the top.

They have got to stop using Dead Christmas Trees though. The one in this should have been on the kerb at least a month before they made this film. It's a big peeve of mine when props and the other little details are not thought about properly, especially when everything else was quite well done.

In theory it wasn't the standard formula that most of these TV films use, which in itself as a good thing, but it was also just well put together and is definitely one that I could watch yearly.

This one is a bit of a three ring circus until the three couples get matched up. The story is based on a house swap between a lady who just lives for Christmas, and a man who has decided to avoid it.

The story keeps you going as it switches back and forth and the acting is fine. I never got invested in any of the three romances, but that doesn't mean they didn't do a good job building the relationships. I just didn't find that any of the characters really appealed to me personally. As far as the usual formula, I thought it was funny that a full half way into the movie, Charles and Faith had gone from just irritated to full out belligerent and had yet to start moving together.

There was good humor throughout. At one point, the director did a cute thing with a split screen and coffee cups.

The story was mostly predictable, but then this is a Hallmark Christmas story. I'm sure that many will find the romances more engaging than I did and as a result completely enjoy the movie.

LOVED this film....ESPECIALLY loved characters played by Faith Ford and Gabrielle Miller....perfect film for the holiday season! Myself, my mom and sister really enjoyed it. A real feel good film, it made you want to bake cookies and decorate your Christmas tree! And the cast excelled with solid performances...hoping this is going to become a holiday tradition, like watching A Christmas Story or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! In this day and age, it's refreshing to watch a film of this quality. Nudity, drugs, sex, and violence do not always have to be included in a film for it to be successful. OR, touch a heart....and Trading Christmas DELIVERS! Kudos, cast, crew, and Hallmark! :)

This was a fun movie with likable characters and a good story. It's hard not to like Faith Ford and the characters of Charles and Faith Kerrigan were so fun together. Ray was a good guy too although he was a bit stoic. This is one I watch several times during the season if I can.

This is a truly funny Christmas movie, mostly due to Tom Cavanagh, whose crusty author with writer's block drives half of the story and provides most of the chuckles.

The movie provides travel mix-ups aplenty, and Cavanaugh's half of the story is a perfectly done antithetical romance.

The other half of the story has amusing moments, but is mostly straightforward and sweet.

The romances work, the comedy works, and the stories work.

Watch for Cavanaugh, and be entertained. :-)

Recommended.