Christmas at the Madison: Part 1

source: Christmas at the Madison: Part 1

Three stars to Kimberly Williams-Paisley. No star for Ashley Williams. I am not a fan of Ashley Williams. Too fake, in particular her fake smile. She appears full of herself. Why, is a mystery to me. Kimberly acts more authentically and believable. I don't understand why Hallmark made this in two parts. It looks like Ashley pushed for it. Why is she so well regarded, when her acting is not great, etc? Or, are there other reasons why she has this say? I hope that Hallmark gets the message from many reviewers, that the likes of Danica McKeller, Candace Cameron Bure, and Ashley Williams, who are way over casted, are not desirable to watch. While I am at it: Among the undesirables: Brooke D'Orsay, Alicia Witt, Amy Acker, Rachel Boston, Cindy Busby, and of course Lori Loughlin, The better regular actresses are: Nikki Deloach, Bethany Joy Lenz, Alison Sweeney, Jill Wagner, Brittany Bristow, Jessy Schram, Brooke Burns, and Kimberley Sustad. More black actresses should be given leads with good plots, as well. The plots are weak for most of the movies Hallmark has attempted with lead black actresses. They need a good plot, just as the other actresses do. The ones I have seen who do a great job and should be given more lead roles with good plots are: Holly Robinson Peete, Tamara Mowry-Housley, and Rukiya Bernard, There are many new actresses who are great as well ... much better than the undesirables I list here. I hope other reviewers add their opinions on this topic, so hopefully Hallmark gets the message to create better memorable feel good movies with great plots and great actresses and actors.

Favorite scene with Jennifer Swift (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) - Eric telling her that he had had a Crush on her back in High School - which she didn't realize - and kissing him in return. Meg Swift (Ashley Williams) - Telling Jennifer that she's going to stay in Salt Lake City and that the Movie Theater/Restaurant will be a Great idea and that she will run it with her. BTW, I Loved this movie!

My title is a quote from the character Simon about a bow tie. If you stretch your imagination a bit, you could think of these two movies that way. I'm a fan of Ashley Williams so I was ready to enjoy the pair of movies no matter what. The hook in this movie is the multiple relationships. The story is nothing great. Have to sell our family ________ (movie theatre). The lead couple are working together to repair it. The premise is especially a bit of a stretch which is where "ridiculous" comes in. In this movie, the family relationships are just as significant as any romance. The sisters (real life sisters) love each other and it shows. Jennifer's son, Simon, forms a kind of fraternal bond with Eric's much younger daughter. Plus Meg and Jennifer's parents. There is a romance story, but it has to share the spotlight with all the other things. I would think the story encompassing both movies could have been squeezed into one movie. As it is, the sister movie (yes it's a pun) steals several scenes from this one while a few of the same events are shot from different perspectives and maybe changed slightly. The stories run parallel and the other movie continues a little past the ending of this one. But combining the two into one who have squeezed everything a bit too much. There's a lot of fun and energy in both movies. It's strange, but I don't think the two movies should be separated, but it also creates some confusion a little like mental whiplash. Also, while this movie is broader than a simple romance, the second movie is a little more focused on the corresponding romance. I liked both movies, but not as much as I anticipated. I got the fun and energy I expected, but as another reviewer said, it's kind of all over the place. The two movies together use a lot of the common tropes which are overused this time of year. On the other hand, the parallel stories and how they are combined give a different feel to it. When it comes down to it, I think each person's enjoyment will be influenced by their predisposition to the two main actresses.

Loved these sisters together. My sister and I are 7 years apart as well and we watched these together. This was the better movie of the two but I think it's because that's where I am in life. Married with a family and my parents are gone so the storyline with the uncle being missed hit a note. I'd definitely watch more of these movies. The cast felt like they were a family and the movie was just so sincere.

I really enjoyed both of the Sister Swap movies -- I will say that this first one is more enjoyable when you've seen the second one. If Hallmark does this next year, I hope they show them on one night. The Williams sisters are so much fun and so charming -- yes, they are a little buzzed up on sugar and cocoa, but tis the season! I also LOVED the kids in this movie, both very calm and natural. There is also an interesting if brief subplot about food banking and food insecurity. Bonus points for the diverse cast, and great parts for Kevin Nealon, Jim Byrnes, and soap star Anna Holbrook.

Really like both the Williams sisters. This movie was fairly entertaining with a wholesome theme, in the whole. Scenery was nice, but definitely not Utah. Overall pleasurable movie.

This movie was well done its always fun when Hallmark films in Salt lake I was looking forward to this Movie all week these two real life sisters always have a lot of energy I loved the story line I thought it was a feel good story and heart felt and I'm really glad they Mentioned Salt Lake in this movie and they didn't say it was somewhere else can't wait to watch the Second part .

Okay, so Kevin Nealon is now stooping to Hallmark movies for a paycheck? I love Ashley Williams, but she's overshadowed by her manic sister Kimberly in this effort. Take it down a notch Kim, you're overacting by a lot! Poor Mark Deklin is stuck as her love interest. Hopefully the second movie in this series is better.

Ugh hallmark what did you do. Again hallmark screwed up a good idea. The plot idea was good but it was done all wrong and boy was it bad. Why do successful women that have great jobs give it up for the man in the end or question where they are it's life ugh. The acting is good but the plot is long boring and done bad.