Mistletoe Magic

Trailer—Mistletoe Magic

source: Mistletoe Magic

There were several things in this that were really particularly well suited to me as if they had me in mind to include those little elements. But I will say that for anyone and everyone this is pretty high level as made for tv movies Christmas movies go. There is no using the Lord's name in vain, no course language or jokes. I could name quite a few more elements that are so common from hollyweird that are all absent here. It just leave the movie elements to stand on their own. And it gives the audience a break from the lowest common denominator distractions that most writers have used as crutches for decades now. How often do we get to see writers willing to work on their craft in all honesty and without garbage & interference material? I'm glad I watched!!!

I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, as well as movies on the UP TV channel, which are very much the same. Even though most of the time they are predictable, when I'm not in the best of moods or I just want to relax and not think too much, they still make me smile. However as much as I usually enjoy them, here I had one major problem - The two leads were quite believable in their roles, but all of the other minor characters were so over-the-top it was like their bodies were on helium. The super annoying neighbor, the aunt, the sister, the lovebirds at the Christmas tree shop, etc. It was like bad acting 101. There was nothing believable the way they interpreted the script and I don't understand why the Director didn't pause and ask them to re-read their lines as though they were honestly happy or honestly in love, and not playing a caricature. I really have never seen one of these similar movies that was so painful to watch the cartoon going on. But like I said, the lead characters were very good, and the storyline kept me watching. I was split down the middle so I gave it five stars.

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime, Hallmark and UPTV. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. And 'Mistletoe Magic' did have the sort of premise where the execution could have gone either way. 'Mistletoe Magic' does have elements of both camps, but actually is not too bad a film. While it is an example of a film that starts off badly and makes one unsure whether to continue, it did for me thankfully get a lot better and turned out to be a moderately decent film. Was not expecting a classic and didn't get that, but did expect in a way an at least average film that didn't have me wrenching my hair and teeth out. Luckily that was the case here with 'Mistletoe Magic'. Not an essential, but there is nothing massively offensive about it either at the same time. As said, the film does start off very badly. It takes a while to get started and one also has to sit through painfully awkward dialogue, bad acting from the supporting cast and not really investing in any character. The story is very predictable, due to nothing new being done with familiar tropes. The supporting acting is not always great (leaning towards the over-compensating type), especially that for agreed the boyfriend and the best friend. Very annoying "negative characteristics taken to extremes" characters that are overacted, particularly in the case of the latter. Luckily, 'Mistletoe Magic' does get better in pretty much every way. Jessica Sipos and Stephen Huszar are immensely engaging in the lead roles, their characters are easy to like, believably developed without being complex and their chemistry is very genuine and always at ease. The relationship also plays a big part in the film and doesn't feel overused or underused, doesn't feel like it goes nowhere most of the time and then has a development just like that and rushes that and basically it develops at just about the right pace. Once the film gets going, the characters are more interesting and the acting generally improve excepting for the boyfriend and the best friend. Furthermore, 'Mistletoe Magic' pleases visually in particularly the scenery. The music doesn't come over as intrusive, overused or drab, while not enhancing anything it doesn't distract from anything either and there is a sense of occasion. The script does flow a lot better later and doesn't get over cheesy or too schmaltzy. The story is predictable but also has a good deal of charm and light-heartedness, leaving me with a warm glow. The ending is not as easily prematurely telegraphed as it tends to be. In summary, the early portions are a turn off but improves drastically. Not great but not dreadful on the whole either. 6/10.

I have a steadfast rule, if after the 1st 20 minutes of a movie I'm miserable, and the degree is gaining exponentially, then there's NO reason to torture myself, ESPECIALLY around my favorite holiday! If ever there were a checklist of things that Christmas or romance movies in general to wrong, this movie would check then all! Main character a Grinch. Her family's obsessed with Christmas. Her best friend is off her meds and on too much sugar. She's been too long in a relationship with a guy who doesn't care about anyone other than his own reflection. Family has a goofy off the wall Christmas tradition/heirloom that the world would end if if was lost. Aaaannnnddd through her negligence, if got lost while in her custody! I'm CERTAIN, had I tortured myself further, I would have found: 1. they eventually find said item and after it almost leads her to suicide, it DOES 2. leads her to a really best guy and by some twist of sanity, 3. In the2-3 days they know each other, he proposes, 4. She gets the promotion instead of her ex- which was why he was keeping her away from work before! Yeah, the whole thing is a setup, and painful to watch! I'm gonna bounce!

Boy, was this one cute! Great comedic acting, funny original script, and excellent chemistry between the two leads. Cute and appealing as Harper, the cynical Christmas hating meteorologist whose quest to find her family's magic mistletoe eventually melts her cynicism and Christmas hatred, Jessica Sisbo should be a hallmark regular. Her partner in crime is the owner of a Christmas Thrift store who used to be a chubby nerdy schoolmate of Harper, one of the popular kids. Huszar is excellent in this one, as is not always the case. He has never been one of my favorites, but his comedy and chemistry with Jessica is really special. The only two downsides are the actors who play Harper's bad boyfriend and her super annoying best friend. The director really needed to take her in hand. She was awful. Really over the top. As for the actor who played Brad, this is the second time I have seen him play the bad boyfriend of an appealing attractive lead. Maybe it's just me but I find him very icky. Even though that's kind of the point, He is miscast as a credible heartbreaker. Anyway this one was a pleasant surprise and a real treat. And I especially loved the surprising little twist at the end. Well Done!

This movie avoided the usual, corny Hallmark trademarks. There was no "whipped cream" on the nose scene nor any Christmas cookie baking flour throwing scene. There was plenty of witty dialogue. Jessica Sipos is always natural and always solid. I thought that Alys Crocker was a real find and a hoot.

Really great show. Enjoyed the characters and their chemistry.

The movie was alright. It was sweet and charming in places and I liked it.