Reno Rangan
It's December, so TV channels are flooded with Christmas films. But this is not my first Christmas film of the season. And Hallmark films are easily a go for it. TV movies have simple stories, so don't they to surprise me all the time. To create a story around Christmas is not that easy, because there are hundred of films comes every year based on the same festival. How it all starts and ends are almost predictable, but topic on which it rides on is very important. This one was about the tree. The decorated tree in the city centre that delights all the Chicagoans. But its responsibility to make sure are things are taken care comes under a young woman named Holly aka Miss Christmas.Just a week to go, Holly has reached the source destination for her new tree, but trouble awaits. That the family who own the tree is divided over donating it for some sentimental reason. Now she has to convince them, and how she does that with other personal events unfolds in the rest of the film. Being an animal and tree lover, I hated her approach. I never support such cruel act, just to please someone to enjoy the festival by killing a tree. Not just one, billions of people do it around the world which brings catastrophe in nature every year. Apart from that, the film was average. A family film, particularly for the female audience.5/10
michelefinlay-20653
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.
Debzreview
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.
jonathanrspalding
This review contains spoilers in the general sense, but really if you don't know where this movie is going you have not watched Halmark.Hallmark Christmas 2017 is off to a good start, better than last year, and this movie continues the above average trend.When looking at a the Hallmark Christmas movie genre I have four factors that I consider One, is the romance believable. I fault that here. I don't see this couple working out (she likes the kid and the town more than him really) and while they have some good dialogue I think long term she will be his second ex-wife. I think their eventual divorce might make a good Lifetime movie for the sequel.Two, is it funny. I thought it was funny though not hilarious in parts.Three, how did it incorporate Christmas. I thought it was beautifully done as far as the decorations and the town, but slightly sappy as to the sentiment. I also thought the way the conundrum of the tree was resolved was a twist and nice.Four, how do the minor and subplots add or subtract to the movie? While it had some nice characters (all on her side) to round out the story there was no real secondary story in which to be interested.All told it was certainly very watchable and a definite cut above a lot of the Christmas movies. Ms. D'Orsay carries the movie to that point but the rest of the cast and the rigid adherence to the Halmark Christmast plot (cute kid wants new mom and wise parent tries to be matchmaker with a silly misunderstanding keeping them apart) keep it from being one of the top tier of Halmark Christmas.
AD
