Leah's Perfect Gift

I am not sure what was going on in the writer's room when they were writing this movie, but someone must have skipped food and turned in a hangry script. I really like Leah, she was the best part of this film. The rest of the characters are just plain awful. No woman with her amount of education and humor would stay with a milk toast man who did not stick up for her and let his mom be so condescending and just mean. Most of the movie the acting is over the top or just dull. I think with less snakiness from the mom, the over the top and stereotypical nasty ex girlfriend, and a strong leading man this could have been something. This one misses the mark.

This seemed like a cute movie, the main actress was great she was funny, cute and did a good job, but halfway through I had to stop watching take a deep breath and remind myself it's not real. It's a movie they are not real people. Because the way they treat this poor girl in this movie was so hard to watch it was giving me anxiety! Was the mom supposed to have a mental illness(ocd) and it just not be talked about? Because she was so bad and even in the end when she was being "nice" I couldn't take her seriously I was waiting for another put down from her and even the mean ex girlfriend I was thinking wow they really just threw in nice moments that fell flat. A rewrite for the mom and maybe a different actress to play her and I would've loved it! The main actress is the only reason I watched the whole thing and am giving it 5 stars.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I thought Leah and Graham had chemistry. You could tell they really loved each other. I loved the sister too. She brought in some comedic timing that was needed. I loved mixing the Jewish and Christian traditions. I would agree with other reviewers that Graham's parents were over the top and rude. I don't know why Hallmark does that and then in the final moments they change. It's not believable. I really felt Leah's performance and how she didn't feel like she fit in with Graham's parents. He played both sides well. Maybe he could have listened to Leah better but that is where some of the conflict lyes. The ex girlfriend could have been left out. She really brought nothing to the table. Overall I really liked this movie.

Here is one of the Jewish people partaking in their first Christmas (and sometimes vice versa) stories. We've seen several, and ALL the rest are better.

The mother is unbearable. I "think" she's supposed to be funny. She's not. She's insensitive, cold, and obnoxious to the point we simply could not watch anymore.

Emily Arlook as the female lead should at least be charming and sympathetic. She's not. We found her annoying, too. The father is shallow and useless. The sister is okay. They should have used her more. MUCH more. The male lead came across as the most likable "main character", but they didn't even use him enough. When the plot description says "awkward", believe it. It's just not "funny awkward", it's "disturbing awkward".

But the mother spoils the entire story. She's not someone I'd tolerate in my life, and not even for two hours. Buh bye!

I saw other reviews and expected Graham's family, especially the mom, to be worse. Oh she was bad enough, but I've seen worse. Actually the movie started out well enough at Leah's family's house. There are several good moments between Graham and Leah. However, the constant putdowns of Leah did not lead to much Ho, Ho, Ho. Leah starts to get down on herself which isn't a good look for her.

So awkward? All the putdowns are nothing compared to the Christmas Eve gifts.

Obviously things pick up and several nice things happen.

BTW - about the vases. It really bothered me enough the Julia made Leah pay full price for the broken vases given that it was an accident. Over $300 at retail should have got a discount for multiple purchases anyway. But then she had to rub it in later when Leah meets her again making it sound like Leah did her so much harm even after paying for it.

Another BTW - Hallmark's running gag about Die Hard is kind of cute.