caseybones
This is typical Hallmark and fits into their usual formula...the lead's girlfriend/boyfriend is a ditz/evil, the lead finds his soulmate totally innocently, the lead works for an evil empire attempting to take over the soulmate's business/building/town/resort. There is always snow and lots of Christmas lights. If you've seen more than two Hallmark movies, you'll know the ending in the first 10 minutes.There are a couple of redeeming features, one being the nice dance sequences. Michelle Nolden is an exquisite and extremely graceful dancer and the camera follows her beautifully. I don't know if she studied dance or is a really well-coached actress but I did enjoy watching her. McCarthy isn't bad, either.A little variation on the music would have been nice. That same song, repeated umpteen times in the movie, becomes brain lint.
Jack Vasen
When I realized what plot device they were using, I almost gave up on this film. Poor Christine is about to lose her dance studio that's been in her family to the big corporation that is tearing everything down, and the guy she meets, Jack, is head of the project, but she doesn't know it. Add to that his existing girlfriend is the powerful boss' daughter. And in the beginning, Jack is a real money-grubbing, dishonest jerk.The other well-used plot device is that of showing Jack doesn't belong in this world of snobs. But before he can learn that, he needs to learn how to dance so he can show his society-bred girlfriend that he can. So he randomly goes to Christine's studio.You can probably figure out how most of this is going to work out, but there is one fun thing thrown in - his mother shows up. She is funny. At first you think she is the stereotype meddler, but she turns out to be much more.While most of the dance instruction takes place without music, there are a couple of nice displays of the waltz. Not overly glitzy, but romantic.The acting is good enough. I thought that Jack's change from jerk to nice-guy was too quick and unbelievable. Christine trusts this guy who literally walked in off the street and pours out her troubles to him almost immediately.***SPOILERS*** Kudos to this movie for an ending that doesn't solve every problem.
adoptshelterpetstoday
The previews for this movie were exquisite! I could hardly wait to see...what I though was going to be...a wonderfully enchanted, romantic Christmas movie with talented players! But not so...not at all...I greatly enjoyed Andrew McCarthy with his talent and humor in both "Bernie" movies...but after seeing his portrayal in this movie, his talent must have died since then...OR obviously this was not the right part for him. And the scenes with his pretended English accent and expressions were so awkward. All I can say "good" about this movie is that it's good for those who have short memories since:the majority of scenes were the dance studio scenes,with the same song, with very similar lengths and outcomes......played over and over ad nauseum.If you don't have a short memory, watching it more than once only increases the dull effect...boredom.
asinyne
I enjoyed this movie very much and so did my wife. Its very romantic. The leading lady is very beautiful and moved gracefully. Perhaps the plot is nothing new but it worked for me. I also thought the lighting was very well done, especially in the dance studio scenes which certainly set the tone for the film. Andrew McCarthy is a fine actor and the movie suited his talents. There were times when things developed in a clumsy fashion but for the most part it sailed along in fine style. I'm not totally sure the chemistry between the two leads was dead on but the chemistry between me and Christine was awesome! This is a classy movie with a good cast and I give it a solid edge over most similar holiday fare...try it out!