Destined at Christmas

This was a low key charmer of a movie.

The plot involves two people who meet while shopping on black Friday, then get separated and spend the rest of the movie looking for each other.

The chemistry between leads is good, and the lead actress is especially appealing.

I did not much care for the supporting cast.

In order to enjoy these movies, we have to forgive much, and this is no different. I would've had that girl's number long before the lead actor even thought of it, and some of the plot twists get a little far fetched.

Still, we know how it's going to come out or we wouldn't be watching it.

For my money, this is a nice start to '22, and an improvement from last year on GAC.

I wasn't familiar with either of the two leads but they both did a fine job. They had good chemistry right off the bat and that ends up being VERY important because they spend a big chunk of the movie apart. They keep trying to locate each other and there's mishaps where they keep missing each other. It would be extremely frustrating except for the fact that we did see cute scenes of them at the beginning and saw their chemistry that makes us root for the couple.

Even though I watch a lot of these made-for-tv movies, this plot was new to me so it kept me engaged and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. When the movie ended I immediately wanted to rewatch it- it's that good. It's cute and fun and I definitely recommend it.

This movie has no big pretenses. It is a simple story. Kim and Theo, a single father, casually meet on Black Friday and develop a strong attraction. Unfortunately, they lose track of each other. In the following weeks, they search and keep missing each other, while carrying on with their lives. The conclusion is quite predictable. There is no serious drama, as both lead characters are wholesome people and all of the others, family and friends, seem equally nice. Some details are quivery, if not illogical. For one, why Theo's divorced wife appears nonexistent in their daughter's life?

Yet, the movie moves well and manages to be entertaining, while remaining uplifting. Shae Robins and Casey Elliot work great together, projecting warm and sincere, reciprocal feelings. The daughter, Ashley, is captivating. By the way, is she Casey Elliott's real daughter? The movie highlights plenty of Christmas, and everyday, values, such as kindness, generosity and love. If the goal was to provide a family friendly Christmas tale with simple, honest, uplifting emotions, the mission is accomplished. Based on it's values, GAC is my Christmas destination.

When Kim and Theo lost each other at the sporting goods store because the power went out, why didn't they just wait at the front door to meet back up again?

Very obvious ending that they would finally meet up again and start a relationship. Reminded me of a bad Serendipity, where the viewers get frustrated because the main characters keep missing each other and everyone in their circle meet the person that they just keep missing.

Particularly bad acting by the child playing Theo's daughter. Absolute train wreck. Nice scenery. Shot in Utah. I didn't recognize any of the actors in this movie, including the main characters.

I don't recommend this film.

I like the movie, but it does have an issue in the plotting design.

The couple meets at the beginning of the movie, develop an affinity for each other, then are separated, each only knowing the other's first name.

They spend the rest of the movie trying to "detective out" the other's identity, plus of course a few near misses. That makes the plot dodge most of the Christmas romance cliches (except he of course is a single dad with an adorable daughter and no mention of what happened to his wife ... but they can't dodge them ALL LOL).

The issue is that after the very early minutes of the movie, the leads can't appear together again until, or course, the very end. I don't think that's a spoiler. ;-)

I like the story and the characters, but a lot of the scenes don't build the story and just fill time. It's worth a watch but I don't see it being on our repeat list despite the fact the ending was well done.