6.4 stars.
The story of a woman named Emma not living up to her potential and is well aware of it. She has low expectations for herself and is stuck in a low level architecture position rather than what she has always dreamed of. Emma has been unable to approach a man named Max whom she's been crushing on for months and this is one of many unsatisfactory aspects of her life. She has a female best friend named Holly who knows her very well and supports her through these minor trials.
As the holidays roll around, Holly is going to Hawaii, and Emma will be flying to her hometown to see her family, as usual. She has a male best friend from childhood named Drew that lives in her hometown as well.
We can see that she has two possible love interests: Drew and Max. So the story is intriguing in the first act. We notice that she and Drew have a certain affinity for each other, maybe a deep affection, but it was never explored and both have moved on. Max whom she often crosses paths with, is long overdo to introduce himself, so maybe she'll take matters into her own hands, if she can muster the confidence.
A split in fate occurs at the airport. In one timeline she goes home to visit family and Drew, and in the other she misses her flight and stays in the city and might get to know Max. The two "could be" future timeliness are familiar, and the narrative is somewhat overdone by Hallmark, however this particular spin makes for a potentially wonderful story.
The setting and all the elements are fashionably and expertly presented to make for a very entertaining execution (albeit repetitive). But...something is way off. The film misses the mark in spades. What went awry? I like the lead female, but unfortunately her character is the undoing of 'A Tale of Two Christmases'. Drew and Max are very likable which is rare for Hallmark to make both men equally as charismatic, thereby making it difficult for the audience to choose one over the other. The parents and relatives and even Max's friends are affable as well. It's a shame that Emma is just so-so and dare I say, borderline atrocious as a personality.
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