Waste of time

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Review Date 7/1/2018I Have Reviewed OVER 500 Christmas MOVIES. On all Christmas movies BEWARE OF FAKE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. Many reviewers have only have ONE REVIEW. When it's a POSITIVE REVIEW chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. If its a negative review then they may have a huge grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.In this film A struggling actress cast in an off-Broadway show contemplates quitting the business and moving home. However, she has second thoughts after discovering a renewed passion for her craft. But when the historic theater where they perform loses its lease and the show is set to fold, she and her castmates need a Christmas miracle.This film is almost a chore to finish. It has some attractive leads but no great story to make this film worth remember.

There is really nothing redeeming about this movie. It just doesn't get it. It really has nothing to do with Christmas. Just doesn't work. Maggie Lawson has got nothing going on. Ugh, Noting works in this movie.

(Minor spoiler only, below.) This movie is a pretty typical Hallmark Christmas romance, but particularly light on Christmas themes. Christmas really is just when it happens to take place, Christmas is set dressing. But given what we do find out about the theater production, I guess that's a good thing. The movie centers around an actress and an off-Broadway NY theater production of A Christmas Carol. The movie is NOT a retelling of the Dickens classic, though, and thank goodness. The minute or so they spend on an audition scene reveals that Scrooge laments the time she spent in the office, now alone with her laptop on Christmas eve, with her name merely on a cubicle where no one will see it. She concludes that she will remember the lessons of the spirits and work to achieve her goal of having her name in lights! Yes, really. Scrooge actually learned to focus her narcissistic selfishness. So it's a great thing that we only see one more brief scene from their "modern take" on the Dickens classic. Now, "work to achieve your dreams" is an OK message, and it mirrors the main message of this movie well enough, but Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, it ain't. Since they picked A Christmas Carol as their production, it would have been nice to have a message concerning Christmas. Christmas movies often miss the true message of Christmas, but this one doesn't even find the generic non-spiritual ones, like the joy of giving or getting cool presents. But nonetheless, there are reasons to watch. Maggie Lawson was great. She's always enjoyable to watch, and did the best job here of anyone, although all of the performances were very solid. I did feel like they could have focused more on relationships with her character's mother or friends, though. Or maybe the theater folks, who were under-utilized and seemed interesting.

OK, I admit I enjoy sappy holiday movies. I don't expect award winning fare. I have no problem "suspending disbelief" for movies that incorporate magic, Santa, or even time travel. Christmas Encore pushed the boundaries a little too far. It starts AFTER Thanksgiving with nothing but a title and plans to put on a play for Christmas. That concept in an elementary school would be a massive stretch. This is a NY City theater. I can only imagine people who work both behind the scenes and on stage being mortified by the ridiculous time frame.Christmas Encore has the usual romantic conflict and misunderstanding (Which is minor so that is a positive) with a decent supporting cast. I wish some of the theater group had actually been shown doing their jobs. ie: sets, costumes. I love the set director, Sid.It is made more watchable by Brennan Elliott who seems to have become a Hallmark "go to" guy and Maggie Lawson who also has a Psych movie released at the same time. If you have time kill or are a fan of a cast member then by all means enjoy the movie. If you only have time to choose a few movies to watch, I would recommend moving on to another one...