Elizabeth L I adore hallmark movies, especially during the holidays. While some may view them as cheesy and cliché, I think they are sweet and heart warming (though quite predictable). This movie, though, was dreadfully terrible. The story plot was not bad in itself, but the writing was blah. What made the film truly fail was the lack of chemistry between the two leads. It was overwhelming obvious that if either lead had a choice of being stuck on a desert island with their costar or being stuck alone, they would choose the latter. I've seen the lead actor Steve Lund in other projects, and he's okay, but this is first time I've seen the actress Shenae Grimes-Beech and her acting in this project was way over-the-top (i.e. trying way too hard). Alas... all of it added up to awfulness. I recommend that you take a pass on this.The only bright star in this film is Jane Moffat. She did a lovely job.

Katie I consider myself a Hallmark movie junkie. I usually love watching all of the holiday movies and all of the Hallmark movies in general. They are now being so mass produced it seems that quality has been left behind as the quantity increases. I can usually look past this and enjoy the fluff and predicable story lines to pass a few mindless hours but this movie was so awful I could barely stand it. I wanted to turn it off within the first few minutes but kept watching hoping it would get better as it churned on. Two hours later it was still horrible--badly acted and full of plot holes and goofs. I clearly have too much time on my hands to have wasted it on this "movie".

A_Different_Drummer Film historians of the future will no doubt teach seminars on the impact of the Canadian film factory (heavily taxpayer subsidized) on the content circulating through north America from approximately 1985 onwards.Hollywood bluebloods hate the Canuck film machine because it takes food off the table. But, based on a lower dollar, the Canadians have found multiple "niches" where year after year they can slip almost-generic content into the maw, each one virtually into profit the moment the film leaves the camera because of the lower costs.Some 90% of the movies that flood the airways around X-mas, in particular, are of this origin and most Americans don't have a clue.This film is unusual for two reasons. Behind the camera is David Perlmutter who has been a Canuck film producer since the 80s and is by no definition a Johnny Come Lately.And in front of the camera we have Shenae Grimes-Beech, an actress possessed of enough charisma for two leading ladies. She carries this film on her back and in the many areas where the script fails, or the casting of the extras (all too-familiar Canadian faces) fails, or the set design fails (the "toy factory" looks like an empty warehouse with a cheap sign installed at very the last minute) she simply cracks a smile and the audience decides to stick with the film for a few moments longer.Finally and for the benefit of newbies to these sorts of films, a "6" rating is veritably an Oscar nod for such a film. I have seen worse.

mlee-53783 It's not necessarily a unique story plot... An executive takes a chance by hiring an opinionated, independent thinker. To fit in with the holiday theme, he happens to have lost a family member that always made Christmas extra special and is now sad during this time of year and so avoids it altogether. Not necessarily unique, but very sweet and had the makings of being a good movie.The biggest issue was the complete lack of chemistry between the two leads. I'm not familiar with the female lead, but she played her part well enough. (Her hair styling was weird though. Bothered me through the entire movie.) Steve Lund is a solid actor and I thought he played his role charmingly with the sensitivity inherent in his character. Unfortunately, there was no chemistry between the two of them and it made it hard to believe in them as a couple. The dialogue and interplay worked, but not as a couple. Absolutely no spark between them.One minor note regarding wardrobe... When a man is dressed in a suit (especially one at the CEO level), his cuffs should show beyond the suit jacket sleeves. I'm sure Steve Lund has long arms, but you can get a shirt with longer sleeves! That seems to be a consistent gap in all the Hallmark movies. Sorry. Its a pet peeve of mine.Having said all that, I liked the story and Steve Lund's delivery of someone rediscovering the joys of Christmas.