Noël sur la 5ᵉ Avenue

I thought this movie was really cute. Good cast with great chemistry and solid performances. I liked the costumes and dialog.

I watched it more than once and would watch it again.

Christmas On 5th Avenue (2021)-

I find it unlikely that he would agree to her staying at his house. I know that I would be furious if someone interrupted my "Special alone time". And her arguments to stay would not persuade me even if I thought that she was attractive. Furthermore I would have to ask her to leave as soon as I realised just how hyperactive and "Always On" she was.

I'd rather let the creative juices flow my way without her, instead of this barrage of Christmas from a crazy lady. And I love Christmas!

Olivier Renaud is gorgeous, a great leading man and that bottom is desperately trying to break free from those trousers, what a beaut. He deserved better support all around.

That Christmas tree however is awful, what a twig!? Why do they let the props people get away with this?

Some of the other actors are terrible and the sets quite questionable, especially the theatre balcony.

It's not a bad story, but it's hard to believe how it all begins. It puts me in mind of "Trading Christmas" (2011), which I actually enjoy, but I might have turned this one off if it hadn't been for Oliver, his effortless acting and his tight trousers.

7ish/10?

It's been a long time since I've been moved enough to write a review, but wow. The trope of a grump/grinch/beast being tamed by a sweet Belle character is not new. Usually, there is growth along to way to make it believable, a softening of the edges or a wearing down of a tough exterior.

At first, it seemed like we were going to get that, but it's as if it all fell away towards the end. I don't want to give too much away, but I haven't felt this let down by a movie in years.

Adding to that, he gives authors (especially ones of crime fiction) a bad name. They do not all see only the negative. He was just wholly unlikeable up until breaking her heart, which made him hate-able.

Have said many times about my love of Christmas and getting a lot of pleasure out of in particular watching films, cartoons and specials during this period, something that most years has been much needed. Wanted to see some more festive films that were more recent, lower in budget and were not childhood favourites, so in a way to broaden my horizons and have been doing so since November 2019. Decided to see one that wasn't from Hallmark or Lifetime.

'Christmas on 5th Avenue' could have been a good deal better than it was though. There are things that are good, but there are too many areas where it is lacking (badly) for me to recommend it. 'Christmas on 5th Avenue' is a long way from being one of the worst Christmas films seen recently, where there has been a mixture of good, bad and somewhere in between, but it is also a long way from being one of the best. In ranking, it would be somewhere around lower middle.

The best thing about 'Christmas on 5th Avenue' is Kathryn Davis, who is charming and perky throughout and the only actor to understand what sort of film she was in. Maybe she does overdo the (actually quite lovely) smile at times, but this aspect has been done far worse in other similar films and it wasn't in a gratuitous way. Liked her character too, the only character that was interesting or likeable, with her charm and good intentions.

A few other things are decent. It is attractive enough visually, particularly in the scenery. The music has a pleasant nostalgia and isn't overused or overbearing. There are moments of charm and heart.

On the other hand, a lot was wanting. Am in agreement with those that have criticised Olivier Renaud, who is incredibly rigid and is completely made of ice emotionally. The character is meant to be a "cold fish" and uptight, this reviewer gets that, the problem is that the character also never properly grew or mellowed and both traits were overdone, so it felt very one dimensional. He and Davis have no warmth or spark in their chemistry, too distant, too ice cold with too many reactions to situations on Renaud's side not making sense. Would actually find it hard to buy them as friends let alone lovers in real life. Like Renaud's character, the chemistry never grows or warms despite it meaning to and it is underdeveloped.

Furthermore, the support acting is incredibly cheesy and found their characters annoying ciphers rather than real people. Did find the script too stilted and schmaltzy. Although it did have charming and heartfelt moments, the story is thin, drags a lot and takes itself too seriously and safely (it shouldn't have been afraid of having some playfulness and light hearted-ness). Culminating in a blatantly predictable and unrealistically pat ending. And yes the theatre balcony is fake looking.

Rather lacking in lustre afraid to say. 4/10.

Eva runs a concierge business and is very busy during Christmas. When one of her most important customers offers her her son's penthouse to live in while he is in Vermont in exchange for decorating and filling his freezer with home-cooked food, she jumps at the chance. But surprise surprise, the grieving reclusive best-selling author shows up unexpectedly. Romance and reclamation insue.

I'm in the minority in thinking Olivier Renaud's performance as Lucas was right on the money. He was supposed to be a cold fish, harsh, and stiff. Eva was so perky and sunny that it made a nice contrast and upped the chemistry between them. When he finally did warm up, it made it all the more affecting.