Christmas in the Spotlight

Overall, this was a watchable movie, that describes a somewhat steamy affair between two attractive stars, which, apparently, leads to real love. Considering the personalities, how durable? At least three aspects of the production make me question it. For one, and this is becoming common in movies, it confers excessive emphasis on the role of a child getting involved in adults love relations. Maybe, I am willing to consider it, children are not the same I remember in my generation. Second, the dramas are overplayed. The need to keep the relationship between the leads a secret, and the way they go about it, seems unnecessary, and ridiculously enacted.

The family strains are also too harsh and feel forced in the contest. Third, why is this a "Christmas movie"? Either than the events occurring at year's end, the story has no real connection with this holiday and its values. It could have happened at Easter, during Ramadan, or any other time of the year, without changing an iota of its spirit.

Lifetime, in the past two years, has markedly pulled out of the frenzy of Christmas movies competition. I believe it has been a wise decision.

There's been a fair bit of Christmas buzz about this movie that tells the story of a pop star and a football player's unlikely romance. No idea where Lifetime got that idea from...!!

Jokes aside, the film that is oh-so-loosely based on the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance features plenty of nods to the famous couple along the way and when you set that aside, it's still a very good Christmas romance movie, one of the better Lifetime efforts in recent years. Sure, parts of the movie are contrived and you can see the conflict coming a mile away, not to mention the ending. Not that any other Christmas movie isn't similarly formulaic.

Jessica Lord (who is absolutely gorgeous, and has a chance to look radiant in some of her costumes) as Bowyn and Laith Wallschleger as Drew Gonville bring their characters to life. I've never seen either actor before, but they play their parts well. Their scorching chemistry is evident right from their first scene together and it's what makes this film so successful. Very-well cast. Sometimes you wonder what the casting people see in a couple who are terrible on screen. Indeed, a lesser coupling than Lord and Wallschleger would have sent this movie down the crapper. Instead, their presence elevates "Christmas in the Spotlight" above the rest of the pack.

Not an Oscar-winner, but great entertainment nonetheless. Depending on certain real-life developments, I wonder if we'll get a sequel?

I watched this in a bad mood and wanted to hate it, but I have this obsession that I have to watch every Christmas movie, so here I was. That changed almost immediately. It's funny. The niece is perfect setting up Bowyn and Drew to click. Bowyn is almost immediately likeable. She's not some stuck-up star and she does a few good musical numbers. Drew is a dumb jock, but kind of likeable too.

We start getting to know these two characters pretty quickly. Their first date has some sharing. And the chemistry between Jessica Lord and Laith Wallschleger is apparent right away. They are playful. A little steamy too. This movie is plain fun to watch. The story is about two celebrities trying to stay under the radar. It's hard not to compare it to Taylor and Kelcie.

There's almost no tension for a little more than half the movie. Very upbeat. But a good story needs it and it comes, in a couple of ways that makes it a good story. The ending may not be a surprise but it was so good.

I didn't know these actors, but I was pulled in by their performances. It's not Masterpiece Theatre, but it worked.

6.2/10 (Recommend)

The only thing that drew me to this movie is the whole mock recreation of Taylor Swift's relationship with Travis Kelce, but in all honesty it turned out way better than I expected. It's definitely a cheesy romance film, but it actually has heart and passion. The chemistry amongst all the actors is superb. The family feels like a family, the players feel like a team, and the relationship feels like a genuine relationship. The story is good and kind of sort of lines up with a T-Swift story. Most people don't care about a famous persons love life, but trying to see the sense of having a normal life while balancing the craziness of the profession one chose can be kind of sweet. Honestly, I would recommend adding it to your Christmas watchlist this year. Yeah, it's a cheesy romance, but it's one that you'll be cheering for every yard of the way until the touchdown finally hits.

That's it for now. Thanks for taking time to read my review. Happy watching and enjoy the show!

As a sports enthusiast and closet rom-com lover, I will always gravitate to a movie that includes both (see Christmas in Nottingham Hill). This one is also hilariously influenced by the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce relationship, with copious subtle/not-so-subtle nods to each of them. I feared this would be really cheesy, but was actually endearing and funny. At the end of the day, it is hard to escape the classic and predictable rom-com plotline, and although a fun and appealing idea, the writing was lazy at times and would have benefitted a little more to have better small sport specific details. It would have been just another average holiday TV rom-com, but I think the casting director really saved the day. I don't know where they found the leads, but they really shined! Surprisingly enjoyable execution and believable chemistry. It seemed life they were actually enjoying themselves- sounds silly to say, but there are plenty of these movies where it seems like the leads don't like each other and can't hide it. As a lifetime movie, it allows for a little more PDA than Hallmark/GAFam, but was still very clean and appropriate for all audiences. I hope to see these actors in more films in this genre in the future. The supporting cast was also good. Highly recommend- Swifties around the world will enjoy this pseudo-homage. 9/10 within the Holiday Rom-Com genre specifically.