rireland-198-265397
I love Hallmark Christmas movies, and I especially liked this one. It seemed a little too short, though. I noticed one of the other reviewers said that Disney should take lessons from Hallmark--guess what? Disney owns Hallmark and ABC FAMILY. Just different target audiences. But back to the movie... I liked all the actors, but it would have been nice to see Emily,s dad and her friend a little bit more. The castle and clothes were beautiful. The only thing that I found hard to believe was the village scene where nuns are selling things to raise money for an orphanage. If they are supposed to be near France (an industrialized country), why does the village look like it's set in the 1600s? Whenever an American movie has a scene in another country it always looks like something from "A Tale of Two Cities." Yes, I know, that was around 1812. Still, I really liked the movie. I watch Christmas stuff all year long. Just could have been longer. I recommend this film!
Dunham16
Basing a romantic fantasy around a nonexistent, tiny Europoean principality was first invented for early twentieth century Viennese operetta. The most famous play to use this setting for ROmantic fantasy is Ferenc Molnar's THE SWAN which was made into a 1930's movie ONE ROMANTIC NIGHT and then a 1950's movie THE SWAN. The story had been updated several times for an American average girl to attract the Prince of such a fantasy Principality in movies such as THE PRINCE AND ME in which Miranda Richardson played the Prince's Ice Queen mother, a role copied by Jane Seymour in this charming 70 minute well photographed Christmas movie. The under time move is marked mostly by tight editing and excellent photography which catches your interest. Jane Seymour highlights this take with some elegant monologues about first stopping her rebellious son from making the mistake she made at his age then encouraging him to be happy making it. Other than that the plot is average and some of the humor lame but always charming and well photographed
essmom
In the first two minutes of the movie, there were two product placements: One for a big box store, and the other for a coffee product. I was confused; where we still in commercial break? No in fact, this is how Hallmark chooses to finance their predictable and pedestrian pablum.It is sad knowing the name Hallmark used to stand for high-quality, family fare. Unfortunately, they choose to produce films only children can enjoy. If you are older than five years old, don't bother. The one thing I did enjoy it was the palace most of the movie was set in.
adoptshelterpetstoday
What wasn't awful about this movie?? First, I think it was awful that the plot and characters made a poor, classless attempt at trying to imitate "A Princess for Christmas"...which was a very good movie.......From the opening snowy scene in the U.S...to a female star with dark hair and same length, and big TEETH...to a disgruntled royal parent...to eventually not feeling worthy of being with a Prince...on and on and on.....in its own pathetic way, it seemed like its purpose was to make a farce out of a "Princess for Christmas."........."Emily" was just too darn giddy and annoying throughout. And the scene with her and the Prince behaving like fools, trying to get a reaction out of the guards, was ridiculous! (not funny)...The dinner table scene with the guests, Emily was just too unbelievably dumb and ill-mannered by anyone's standards.......Jane Seymour is a good actress, but she typically ended too many of her lines with an inaudible whisper.....I think the reason for the Queen's dismay of the relationship was ultimately inadequate compared to her observation of "Emily's" immature, naïve, embarrassing behavior throughout......I mean really, why would an educated person with status, the Prince, find himself attracted to such a person.......At least in a "Princess for Christmas," "Jules" was mature, responsible, and sincere...and that was a quality, enjoyable movie entirely, that had appropriate light-hearted scenes.
AD
