Too much of everything

Just perfect...

Blistering performances.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I love my fair share of Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies but this by far takes the cake of the worst one I've ever seen. This movie takes tropes and drives them into the ground. The spoiled girl volunteering her time at a soup kitchen (that is a poorly constructed set of plywood) to learn the true meaning of Christmas. A simple plot ruined by the main character straight up stalking the love interest, an annoying child, bad dialogue, and a borderline offensive gay character (of course the movie chose to indicate this gay character with a pink toque and coat). A lot of people will say it's fun to watch something so bad but trust me there are plenty of movies that are actually bearable to sit through that don't reinforce such uncomfortable behavior.

Love this movie. Plot is totally predictable like 90% of every other movie in the IMDb. Widower dad adorable daughter wants Santa bring daddy new mommy spoiled rich girl finds letter to Santa yadda yadda ...But who cares? Great execution by everyone involved. Amy Acker lights up every scene. Jason Priestly smartly keeps the camera on her most of the time. The father/daughter pair are cast perfectly and play off of each other well. The antagonist girlfriend hits just the right note. The LGBTQ character plays beyond stereotype effectively. Production values are passable. Hard to imagine a better Hallmark/Lifetime-like movie.

This isn't exactly as it states in the Storyline, they're only small points but I think critical. She doesn't find the letter to Santa it blows past her, she picks it up and calls to the person who dropped it but they've gone before she can give it back. She then opens the letter and reads it and gets the return address, she takes it back on her own accord (not for monetary gain). She's not as bad or as selfish as the Storyline makes her out. This is a good thing as it makes her more agreeable to the viewers.Crystal is portrayed well by Amy Acker, of whom I've been a fan of since I saw her in Angel. She was the reason I watched the film, of which I'm glad as the description didn't do the film justice.She works really well with Emma Duke who played Olivia Gowen, the daughter of the love interest Derek. These scenes are well written, acted and directed with humour, warmth, and tenderness.There are some good bits throughout the film, though my favourite is the "Whipp-Off" where Amy Acker and Gina Holden have a baking showdown. Awesome.You could watch this film with the family or just cuddled up with your love. Much better than I expected and I would watch again.

So, I asked my girlfriend to find something "Christmas-y" while I was in the other room. I heard her giggle as she flipped it to Lifetime or Hallmark or whatever channel this glorious piece of work was on. Good one, baby. That's what I get for making her change investigate discovery. My gut instinct was to call the station or production company and let them know they had a sick camera guy, was this being filmed like a mockumentary? You get used to it, eventually the shake-zoom, repeat, shuffle becomes one with you.Soon, we meet the people and plot! The character Crystal, inspired by Glenn Close in Fatal Attractions. She has no qualms about talking smack, doing things like getting her car towed to blow this schmucks night driving her around; or taking advantage of his forgetful daughter who is just as conniving. Forgetful in the fact that he has a girlfriend, already. Derek, who is conflicted. Should I propose or let a chick stay the night because "she's having fun" kinda snow plow driving through Manhatten kind of guy. Let's mention the most important character; Pete the soup chef, the pink Toque and jacket (because gay) and saying things like "girlfriend" to end cap or start sentences that only dispense plot necessary devices. Pete's clothing escalates through the movie, eventually he becomes an ornament they have to place in the tree, because he's too beautiful for the mortal world. He's in on the plan to insert the new regime, as well. Why? He's known this weirdo one day. She loves scarves that's quirky! I guess they all get what they deserve in the end. Jillian the girlfriend who got Derek through his mourning is free of these twisted weirdos. When Derek has another girl over who is just "having fun" and Olivia, Soup Chef Pete and Crystal plot to off him for his plow and soup kitchen by having schizophrenic Frank strangle him with a scarf, it will be expected.... It's fate.