IMDb RATING
6.3/10
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Harrington is the author of a book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival, he's joined by April, a public... Read allHarrington is the author of a book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival, he's joined by April, a publicist for the publishing house he works with.Harrington is the author of a book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival, he's joined by April, a publicist for the publishing house he works with.
Debbie Podowski
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The movie was rather slow moving. But it was your typical Hallmark Christmas romance film so that's to be expected.
Most of the acting was average-Except the woman who played April. She was very good. It never felt like she was "acting."
Once again, there is a Hallmark movie in a small town with some Christmas festival going on. I don't know why they came up. Can't come up with better plot lines.
And it sure was slow moving. I wished I could fast forward.
It had your typical sappy ending. All is well with the world in a Hallmark movie. The drama from the conflict is insignificant in these movies. But it doesn't matter. This is like drinking a cup of hot cocoa in a small town in December. Soothing, comfortable, and basically unimportant.
Most of the acting was average-Except the woman who played April. She was very good. It never felt like she was "acting."
Once again, there is a Hallmark movie in a small town with some Christmas festival going on. I don't know why they came up. Can't come up with better plot lines.
And it sure was slow moving. I wished I could fast forward.
It had your typical sappy ending. All is well with the world in a Hallmark movie. The drama from the conflict is insignificant in these movies. But it doesn't matter. This is like drinking a cup of hot cocoa in a small town in December. Soothing, comfortable, and basically unimportant.
After Campbell's hilarious Three Wise Men an a Baby I had high expectations on a fun quick-witted flick. The movie was unfortunately low on the comedy, higher on tropes.
The premise was slightly different than normally in Hallmark Christmas films, with the prickly novelist and the competent (and not bungling) PR person. This should've translated in more sparkly banter than there was.
Lyndie Greenwood's female lead was radiant, but Paul Campbell's character felt a bit bland in comparison: sympathetic, but not with the same energy levels. I couldn't really picture those two as a couple.
It was a pity that the novel they talked about sounded much more exciting than this movie.
The premise was slightly different than normally in Hallmark Christmas films, with the prickly novelist and the competent (and not bungling) PR person. This should've translated in more sparkly banter than there was.
Lyndie Greenwood's female lead was radiant, but Paul Campbell's character felt a bit bland in comparison: sympathetic, but not with the same energy levels. I couldn't really picture those two as a couple.
It was a pity that the novel they talked about sounded much more exciting than this movie.
This is a Hallmark Christmas Movie. It's this time of the year that I come to Hallmark to get out of the "Real World" and stick my head in the Christmas Sand.
The formula is basically the same with each film but THAT IS WHY WE WATCH THESE !!! They make us feel good at Christmas.
There are about 6 or 7 Actors that I'll watch the Christmas Movie without knowing what it is about. In particular, Paul Campbell is one. I used to look for the new Christmas Movies to watch by the current year first. Now I look by Actor's Name AND the current year hoping they've made a new one!
After last year's "THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY", he stuck out. That film is a Hallmark all-time Fave and you don't need to be a Hallmark Fan to love that one.
So when I read negative reviews, I can't help but think "why are you here?". You are getting exactly why you turn on these holiday films to begin with.
No doubt that some ARE better than others and I am a huge Hallmark Movie Fan. I watch with my cuz and we came up with our own Rating System as follows: Fair (7) Cute & Good (8), Very ROMANTIC (9), BIG Feel Good movie that makes us CRY & a Fave (10).
There have been a couple of them that I have stopped watching for 30 minutes bc they have not captured and kept my attention. We warn each other not to bother. They NEVER star one of the big Hallmark Stars.
THIS MOVIE WAS CUTE & GOOD...hardly a flop by any means.
The formula is basically the same with each film but THAT IS WHY WE WATCH THESE !!! They make us feel good at Christmas.
There are about 6 or 7 Actors that I'll watch the Christmas Movie without knowing what it is about. In particular, Paul Campbell is one. I used to look for the new Christmas Movies to watch by the current year first. Now I look by Actor's Name AND the current year hoping they've made a new one!
After last year's "THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY", he stuck out. That film is a Hallmark all-time Fave and you don't need to be a Hallmark Fan to love that one.
So when I read negative reviews, I can't help but think "why are you here?". You are getting exactly why you turn on these holiday films to begin with.
No doubt that some ARE better than others and I am a huge Hallmark Movie Fan. I watch with my cuz and we came up with our own Rating System as follows: Fair (7) Cute & Good (8), Very ROMANTIC (9), BIG Feel Good movie that makes us CRY & a Fave (10).
There have been a couple of them that I have stopped watching for 30 minutes bc they have not captured and kept my attention. We warn each other not to bother. They NEVER star one of the big Hallmark Stars.
THIS MOVIE WAS CUTE & GOOD...hardly a flop by any means.
Full disclosure, I was hoping for a comedy since this film stars Paul Campbell (Three Wisemen and a Baby). The dude also wrote Unexpected Christmas, a classic. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Paul plays Harrington, an author who wrote a series of Christmas novels focused on his hometown of (you'll never guess) Mistletoe. He posts a scrooge-like message online and is on the verge of being cancelled until his publisher's PR rep shows up to save him; wow him; spend time with him; hand him pens; decorate in ways he hates; slow the story down; meet people who already know him; accompany him to sparsely attended events. OK, all of these things. This film is incredibly uneven. Harrington seemed to learn his lesson in minute 36 or so, when my movie-watching buddy turned to me and asked if the movie was already over. Sorry, there was 1.5 hours of bland mushiness, and mild life-lessons remaining.
I know I sound like the grinch but this is the worst hallmark Christmas movie I've ever watched...my wife and I watch alot but this guy and the leading lady would never make it in the real world...he's flat and drab in acting and is way below her pay grade...no chemistry at all. Most of these movies are around 5 with an occasional 7...maybe cause I'm a guy but I watch alot of these and this one was a bomb...if the guy could be replaced with most dudes they use it actually might have a half life...and the script of getting upset with the leading lady twice proves to me he's a turkey and she needs to find a better human being.
Did you know
- TriviaIn the one scene role of Debbie the barista is Kimberley Sustad, a frequent Hallmark movie lead, often opposite this movie's male lead, Paul Campbell. In addition to starring in Hallmark movies together, the two have collaborated in writing a few including Noël, mon boss & moi (2020) and Trois Frères, Noël et un couffin (2022).
- GoofsWhile the photographer takes a photo of the group, he suddenly disappears from the scene.
- ConnectionsReferences Good Morning America (1975)
- SoundtracksStardust Holiday
(uncredited)
Written by Belén Vivero and Joel Willson
Performed by Belén Vivero and Joel Willson
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