Operation Mistletoe

Had I heard about the 2024 movie "Operation Mistletoe" prior to sitting down to watch it? Nope. Not even remotely. I happened to stumble upon the movie by random chance, as part of sitting through a long tirade of sappy Christmas movies this year. But from the movie's cover, I have to admit that I just figured that I would be in for another generic scripted sappy Christmas movie that follows the standard formula that seems to dictate the majority of these movies.

It was a bit perplexing that writers Ansley Gordon, Kathleen Knox and Bob Sáenz collectively couldn't muster to conjure up a more potent storyline and script than what they managed. The narrative in the movie felt a bit flat and bland.

I was not familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, but the acting performances were fair. However, I have to say that the hairstyle on leading actor Nick Bateman was distracting to look at, it was as if Donald Trumps hairpiece's estranged cousin had nested on top of his head. It looked terrible.

"Operation Mistletoe" was a watchable movie, for sure, but it just didn't really have that particular Christmassy ingredient in my opinion, to make it stand out in the vast sea of similar movies out there. But hey, if you are a die-hard fan of sappy Christmas movies, I am sure that you will enjoy this 2024 movie way more than I did as a casual viewer.

My rating of director Bradley Walsh's 2024 Christmas movie "Operation Mistletoe" lands on a three out of ten stars.

Aside from some recent efforts of GAC Family, Jen Lilley has always delivered reliable performances in Christmas movies for Hallmark.

I was going to steer clear of this one, thinking it was a GAC movie, where production values are generally a few levels below Lifetime and Hallmark...but this is a Hulu product, from Brad Krevoy, whose movies are generally pretty good, so I figured I'd give it a go.

"Operation Mistletoe" is just fine. It's not destined to be a classic of the genre, and isn't as good as many of the 2024 raft of holiday movies released, but it's a pleasant way to pass ninety or so minutes.

Lilley is good, and her opposite number Nick Bateman has his moments, too. Nice sets, too.

The other reviews below give you the storyline. As always with these HM/GAF productions, the stories come out of a box with about 6 different templates (either with a Christmas theme or not) and are repeated each production year. I have learned to expect nothing riveting.....I usually fast forward through about half the scenes because I easily recognize these as not advancing the plot whatsoever.

As the other reviews also point out, Nick Bateman's hair stylist must be a 12 year old skateboarder. The storyline that he is a mid-30s successful money manager with that weird comb-down hair is utterly laughable. It would not inspire the necessary confidence to secure any clientele. The scripting does him no favor either. If you are supposed to be playing a successful NYC money guy, you are not going to allow a small town realtor to appear to be your equal...nor are you going to be shy and hesitant around a woman you have crushed on for 15 years.

While I have seen Jen Lilley display a good acting range in rare other movies, here she is again relegated to a role of giggly sweetness. Combine that with her child-like face and it is hard to view her as an adult woman romance protagonist.

How can you name a movie Operation Mistletoe and then use holly in place of mistletoe? Not one person who made this movie can tell the difference between holly and mistletoe?! Holly has RED berries and mistletoe always has WHITE berries. Why make a movie about something you are so clueless about? How does nobody fact check anything anymore? I honestly can't believe this slipped everyone's attention and this made it all the way to TV. It seems so stupid and ridiculous to act like holly is mistletoe. Anyone who has more than two brain cells to rub together knows the difference between the two plants. The oversight makes the movie unwatchable.

I am glad to see Nick Bateman back. His character is always soft spoken, and likeable. However, not liking the hair style in this one much. Jen Lilley is always good, usually the over emotional lady but this one thankfully not to the extreme. Noted she was one of the executive producers. The story is the usual, boy-girl senior year crush, boy or girl goes away, comes back years later, both now single, maybe maybe not a kid in tow. Either a meddling mother or sister. In this case sister. However, this meddling was creative and liked the brother angle. No kid this time. How come the female lead who stays home is a decorator, writer, gift store owner, radio station announcer. Why not a successful home town lawyer, financial analyst, banker. Looking forward to more Nick Bateman movies.