Will agree with those that say that 'A Nantucket Noel' doesn't feel like a Christmas film, with the Christmas setting being underused. It did feel more like a late Fall Harvest film if anything. It was not as if expectations were low. Have liked Sarah Power and Trevor Donovan in other things, though Donovan is very inconsistent in his work with Hallmark. Nantucket is wonderful, haven't been there but have seen photos and was wowed. And while familiar, the story had potential to be heart-warming.
'A Nantucket Noel' underwhelmed me though, though more in a mixed feelings sort of way rather than outright hating it. It is not one of the very worst 2021 Hallmark Christmas films, despite being one of the few in the block to not feel like it was set at Christmas, though it is in the lesser half of the block. 'A Nantucket Noel' however was one of those films that this reviewer wanted to like a lot more. Not awful, but there is nothing special here.
To me, the acting was above average despite the flawed character writing. Power and Donovan give it everything they've got and make real efforts to make their characters interesting and engaging. Payton Lepinski is the standout of the rest, very cute and heartfelt while not being sickly sweet.
Despite the lack of authenticity in the setting, the scenery is still lovely and the photographers were clearly in love with it without being too much so. The music is pleasant and at least fits. There are some sweet and charming moments and while the romance is not developed enough Power and Donovan do have some nice low key spark.
However, a lot of things could have been done better. The story has its moments, but does nothing new with very familiar ground (everything here has been done before and better and that shows in the tired execution of most of it), so it was excessively predictable. It also felt too thin, with too little content to sustain the length and some of it was stretched out to compensate, and needed a tighter pace. While the acting is acceptable, the characters are typical Hallmark cliches with development that is never skin deep and not particularly likeable due to their flaws being exaggerated. Especially the father. The most likeable character is Lepinski's.
Furthermore, there are changes of heart that are too suddenly introduced out of nowhere and rushed, also not ringing true in the slightest when you take into account how they behaved throughout the rest of the film. The script can be too corny and could have done with a lighter edge, a bit too over-serious.
Concluding, not that bad but could have been a good deal better. 5/10.
