Noël loin des projecteurs

Where to start? Amanda Holden, surely it's her, goes back to visit her family for Christmas. Her Mum is about 15 years older than her and her sister is a good 25 years younger. Work that one out. Her Dad is dead so her Mum has hooked up with Dad MK2, played by somebidy gayer than an entire Brighton Pride parade, unless my gaydar is off (it's not) He tries to play it straight but just can't keep it going long enough to last a scene.. She meets Jim Bob Walton (probably) who has about as much fashion sense as your local Jehovah's witnesses visitors and inexplicably falls in love. A reporter is on her trail - actually played by the woman who wrote the script - can't act but I guess it saved on costs. Anyway, Amanda doesn't want the tabloids to know she's about so offers to teach the local school drama group. Well you would, wouldn't you. I mean none of them will recognise an action film actress and be on Insta or anything *rolls eyes*. Nothing much happens for the next 45 minutes, so you can fast forward that. No spoilers so I won't give away the end but you won't need to be psychic to guess..

I was looking forward to this Lifetime Christmas movie as it stars Tori Anderson, who I enjoyed watching on Blindspot. I have not seen her since. She was pretty good. But the story was rather dull. Don't get me wrong, there were some nice Christmas messages in the movie, but I often found myself disengaging with the movie, the story. It just did not have that X factor that some of the other Christmas movies I have seen have had, unfortunately. It's not bad, but it is not great either. It is a family friendly movie.

There is a cute story here but it's buried under a ton of meandering dialogue. I love Tori Anderson's character, and She and Victor Zinck Jr do a great job and have good chemistry together. To me it just seems like the story is underdeveloped without interesting subplots, so I found myself multitasking during the movie, and that's never a good sign. I still think it's worth watching and if you have a fast forward button, even more so.

This is a pretty common plot in general. Jilted Hollywood starlet flees the paparazzi and doesn't quite succeed. Meanwhile she builds a new relationship which is threatened by public exposure. The conflict is just as over overused. Likewise the ending.

What appealed to me was the sweet woman, Olivia, whose first impulse is to give of herself to others. This generous heart shines through even after the conflict is introduced. I didn't think one big thing she did was consistent with her character, but what that is gives away a spoiler.

Tori Anderson and Victor Zinck Jr. are fair to average actors. This was also reflected in that they had little chemistry. They just weren't quite natural in their roles.

There isn't anything special, no real highs or lows, but it's OK and will appeal more to anyone who hasn't inundated themselves with dozens of Christmas movies already this season.

2020 was very variable when it came to Lifetime's Christmas films, and there was definitely the sense that the films were made in a rush with not a lot of preparation time. Yet enough of them were far from amateur-hour efforts and were still watchable all things considered. Lifetime just have done a lot better in previous years, although their festive output is very hit and miss it should not be dismissed outright as enough have left me pleasantly surprised.

'Spotlight on Christmas' was though more or less what was expected, which was a watchable enough film with good moments and better than expected acting. But also one that is nothing extraordinary and does nothing new with pretty familiar plot tropes. Lifetime did a lot better than 'Spotlight on Christmas', but also worse than what is a somewhat middling effort for them. Considering the difficult circumstances though, it did make do perhaps.

Am going to start with the good. The best thing about 'Spotlight on Christmas' is the acting. Tori Anderson is a very charming lead and performs with a lot of spirit and sincerity. Lia Frankland is cute without being sickly and a natural in front of the camera. Victor Zinck Jr is not quite as strong in the likeability factor, but he has a natural and engaging presence and never overdoes it or underacts. His chemistry with Anderson is genuine and endears, it also doesn't move too fast while not taking too long.

The film also at least looks professional, with lovely scenery in particular. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't feel overused, also it has a festive sound to it. Too often not the case with Lifetime. The messaging is very honest and doesn't get laid on too thick or feel treacly or sentimental.

However, 'Spotlight on Christmas' is not an all round success sad to say. The story never properly grabbed me, as well as being very predictable it is very thin on the ground and drags a lot from too much stretched padding and an uncertain feel most of the time. There isn't enough of an emotional core or charm which made the film come over as bland and lacking in substance too. The direction is competent in some parts but is disorganised and hesitant in others.

Furthermore, the script on the most part is too verbose and the flow is very stilted, had a feeling of it being written in haste and that it had not been proof read. The conflict completely lacks tension and it didn't actually feel like there was much at stake with the indifferent and too hasty way it's written in. A lot of ingredients in the story that are done very little with. Janet Kidder is a bit too hammy for my tastes, especially in the early portions.

Overall, watchable if not great. 5/10.