Miss Christmas

source: Miss Christmas

I don't really like the story of Miss Christmas, but I keep coming back to it every year because of the acting. Brooke D'Orsay and Marc Blucas manage to inject drama into the cheesy Hallmark plot and turn it into one of the great ones. If you blew this one off last year because the one-sentence synopsis sounded silly, take my advice and watch it this year when you see it on the Hallmark schedule. Brooke D'Orsay plays a beautiful peppy career woman in charge of finding the perfect (and gigantic) Christmas tree every year for the annual Chicago lighting ceremony. Because of her festive television appearances, she's acquired the nickname "Miss Christmas". A little boy writes her a letter enclosing a photograph of a perfect (and gigantic) Christmas tree on his family farm, and she travels to the small town to talk his family into donating it. Most people are thrilled to donate their tree and see it on television, but the boy's father, Marc Blucas, adamantly refuses. He explains that the tree is a family heirloom, and while I'm completely on his side, Brooke stays in town a few days to continue the argument. I know the conflict in this story seems a little petty, but trust me and stick with it. Brooke has an infectious charm that goes beyond the normal Hallmark "Christmas cavity". Even though it's her job to convince them to donate the tree, she's still very sympathetic to their feelings and treats them as real people, rather than sounding boards bouncing off her script. As the movie progresses, you can actually see her breaking down Marc's guard. He's very believable as a divorcée who doesn't want to get hurt again. Falling in love with a businesswoman in town for only a few days is risky, but he just can't help himself. When he describes his feelings, that his new fondness for the holidays is her natural glow rather than just Christmas cheer, he actually gets tears in his eyes. It's a cheesy Hallmark scene on paper, but they make it romantic and moving on the screen. If this type of Hallmark appeals to you, rent Miss Christmas. If this sounds like too much realism, stick with the silly ones like The Sweetest Christmas instead.

This film is so cheesy and predictable! The Christmas jumpers are worth seeing though!

In a sea of cookie-cutter Christmas movies, this one stands out. The genuine chemistry between each and every cast member is rare. I can't say enough good things about it. I've always been a huge fan of Blucas ever since the late 90s so it was great to see him again after so many years. This film had me smiling and tearing up through the entire thing. I definitely recommend this one.

Yeah, this was yet another mass produced Hallmark Christmas movie, that broke no new ground. It was as generic and scripted as they come, and I say that in the most possible positive manner, because this was not a bad movie. But it was one that follows a very over-used formula of 'how-to-make-a-Christmas-movie' that Hallmark uses repeatedly. The storyline in "Miss Christmas" was predictable, as it tends to be for movies such as this, and you knew exactly how the movie was going to end. However, there were some nice enough moments throughout the movie to make it worthwhile actually sticking with it to the very end. And I will say that both Brooke D'Orsay and Marc Blucas were performing quite well and really carried the movie quite nicely, which made it all the more enjoyable to watch.

I enjoyed watching this and I recommend it for anyone looking for a typical feel-good Hallmark movie. The leads have chemistry together and the supporting characters were enjoyable to watch. Some thought went into writing the script and there wasn't a lot of "stuff" that didn't make sense or was a ridiculous stretch. Granted, the choosing of a Christmas tree for a large city tree lighting starts 6-9 months, in advance, but who cares ... it's Hallmark. Most of us know what to expect in a Hallmark Christmas movie and the viewers get that ending. The towns that Hallmark uses to film in are usually super cute. I was a little disappointed with this filming location: it could have used more decorations. The snow falling scenes appear to be digitally added and there didn't seem to be a blue sky anywhere, which is a good thing. I did find it interesting that people were running around wearing sweaters, only, in December Wisconsin weather, though.

This one is no different. Hallmark churns these out like they have an assembly line. Grab a producer; then a director. Look thru the inventory of available actors (they pretty much use the same pool of about 25) and take the next three in the queue and book them. Make sure at least the producer or the screen writer and one of the movie leads is from Canada. That way you get the tax breaks from the Canadian Film Commission. That's why They shoot these in Canada. This one takes place in Klaus, Wisconsin? Don't think so. Doesn't exist. Unfortunately, they shoot their Christmas movies (like this one) in July and August. Hardly the snow season, hence the wet streets, free of snow and the fake stuff sitting on bushes and sidewalks. In this one, stock footage is used for wide shots of snow-covered towns and forests, except where the son is finding and cutting his first tree. Look at his feet and you can see the soap suds blowing around his feet. Hallmark does shoot some of its movies in cold locations, where you can actually see the actor's breath frosting as they speak. The movie "Christmas Cookies" is a good example, but that was shot in Utah. Nothing new happens in this movie. There are no surprises and there really is no drama. You know exactly what's going to happen and it does. Slight twist at the end, but nothing that's going to make you spill your milk and cookies while you watch. The only technical glitch was when he showed her the initials carved in the tree by his parents some 30 odd years ago. Just as clear and crisp as if they have just been carved, when, in reality, the chemical makeup of the tree would have treated that carving as a wound to its bark and would have secreted a chemical to heal itself, and after 30 years, made the carving unrecognizable. But hey, it's Hallmark, and if you watch the credits roll, the one crew member you don't see is a continuity director. BTW, it's "Fair", not "Fare". 'Fare' is a fee you pay for travel. And "Steal", not "Steel." 'Steel' is what you get when you add carbon to molten iron.

I don't know if it's because I'm so used to him from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but I really find Marc Blucas a natural in these rolls. Why Buffy would ever dump such a gorgeous guy I don't know? He even makes goofy Christmas sweaters look good, despite playing a bit of a Grinch. This film, not just thanks to Marc I add, is really cute. The kid is a sweetheart and the situation, although it has been done before in various guises, is a good one. It's full of festive cheer and fun activities and revolves around a giant Christmas tree. I really like it. A real positive vibe to keep you in the mood at the best time of year.

Miss Christmas is one of the more pleasant festive films from Hallmark. Holly is a Christmas tree finder for Chicago's annual Radcliffe Tree lighting. When a mishap occurs to the tree that was originally selected, Holly sets out to find a last minute replacement when she gets a letter from a little boy with a photo of the perfect Christmas tree. Holly goes off to the small town, the little boy's dad is reluctant to part with the tree. In fact dad is not feeling very festive but he is divorced and sort of hot looking. Holly needs to persuade dad and his family why the tree should go to Chicago. Corporates in Chicago pressurise her to do a deal quickly and even tell her that her job is on the line. Well it is not a Hallmark Christmas film without a subtext that small town homeliness is good, corporate city living is bad.

I really liked the story of the McNary family and Holly was a sweetheart who fit right in. The tree was so special to the family and it was a tough decision that turned out perfectly. Holly and Sam clicked immediately and had great chemistry. It was great to see Marc Blucas in another Christmas movie, he always plays a wonderful romantic hero.