The first 20-30 are awful, but it really does improve. Yes its corny, yes its predictable but stick with it, by the end of really is a feel good film and will warm your heart.
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trixerbell-2418612 December 2021
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kirstil21 December 2021Yeah it's a slow starter but overall I liked it, the final version of the song where the uncle sang it (no spoilers here he only sang it the once) was lovely and if I could I'd buy the song.... It's lovely. It's the usual chick flick Christmas movie, won't win any awards but it passed the time and wasn't completely dire.
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Avidviewer-0284724 December 2021Not your normal Christmas movie, full of cocoa, gingerbread, carols and "traditions". Life doesn't stop for the holidays, this movie shows it the way it is, a mixture of joy and a little sadness.
I liked the script and the cast, it has some really funny scenes. Give it a chance. -
This movie is a slow starter... however the girl who play Nina holds it at the beginning and throughout .
The perceived arrogance of the music industry is (probably) accurate if not a little theatrical, but as an audience we would want that.
For me, the last 15-20 minutes had me. This is about a commonality, of different people and priorities being reminded of the fragility of life. Their own selfishness being put to one side to create something beautiful. The humour is summed up by the music videos in the end credits - it's a pull back to the underlying humour of the film from a teary ending.
The music was excellent - I was itching to hear "the song" and was not disappointed. -
symrenchandarana-1613215 December 2021If you can get through the first hour then this actually turns out to be quite a sweet movie and "the song" is really great.
However I get all the negative reviews - the acting is awful. Everyone is so over the top and Frieda's fake British accent is awful. Like properly awful. And the music manager...I couldn't bear him and cringed every time he was on screen.
Try if you can to stick with it and you may, like me, kind of enjoy it. -
powerfoot22 December 2021I thought the Christmas song was actually pretty good. Found the song on Spotify/SoundHound. We need better Christmas songs.
This is at least watchable compared to all the whitewashed formulated Hallmark and Lifetime movies with the designated token black or half Asian person. Oh wait, this follows the exact formula. -
josephbrettdalley11 December 2021In a world where there is more rubbish Christmas movies than there are classics. This movie follows that typical rubbish Christmas film style with it's lighting, editing and more... but to me that's what makes it good? Yes good. The story is strong and it really leaves you wondering what this Christmas song is! As well as the overall ending of the many stories told in this film.
Overall, this follows the typical channel Christmas 24 style, but instead doesn't have the cliche story and in some parts even some impactful acting. As an audience we expect to much from Christmas movies these days, they can't all be the next 'Home Alone'. However they can still show that Christmas style and bring the warming feeling as all the other classic rubbish Christmas films. -
adamjohns-4257522 December 2021A Christmas Number One (2021)
It's always a worry when you see so many bad reviews listed on IMDB before you've even started to watch it, but ignore them all! Most of them didn't bother to give it more than ten minutes or try to compare it to the Hallmark standard made for TV Christmas films that are released en masse every year.
This isn't one of those films though. Admittedly the romance follows along the same sort of lines, but it is a British take on things and therefore much less focussed on the sugary sweet elements and nobody makes cookies or even puts up a tree. It does still have that slightly more amateur feel to it and is missing the polish that others like 'The Holiday' and 'Love Actually' have.
It's a similar style to 'Nativity', which I didn't like and it seems that it might have been made more for the teenage market, certainly to start with, but it does build to something lovely.
It is a grower, give it time to blossom and you'll feel the rewards at the end as it really hits your emotional spots.
The characters are a bit extreme and exaggerated, but it works to provide a hint of comedy. This style, however, works really well with Alfie Boe, who does a fantastic job in his first major film role.
I did recognise the relationship between the Uncle and his Niece, although mine expresses her love in a constant stream of sarcasm. Actually the Niece, Nina, really grounds the film with heart and warmth, whilst also modernising the film with her blogs.
I've always adored Iwan and it's nice to see him playing a nice guy for a change. There is no sign of "Ramsay Bolton" here.
I do think that it could have ended with the chart countdown, without the need for any more, but I did like that they wrapped it all up. It's always annoying to have loose ends.
802.66/1000. -
empir-042112 January 2022Iwan Rheon proves to be a charming lead although his character is written more like the supporting character. Frida provides solid work but I found her character was just straight up distasteful. Frida can only work with what she's been directed to do and this character and indeed the film could do with a few more drafts.
The supporting characters a great from the record label boss to the female German bassist. But the Star of the show is the niece in a fantastic turn.
To cut to the chase will I watch this every Christmas? Perhaps not but it would a film I put on every few years or so. -
wolfman11107112 December 2021Unfortunately, what is meant to be a "feel-good" movie, misses the mark by a long way!
Despite having some good actors in it, they never actually seem to be comfortable in their roles.
Don't get me wrong, there are some funny moments, but they're few and far between.
A far better film is Last Christmas!
This could have been so much better... -
almiller-9197122 December 2021I don't understand the negative reviews about this. I think it's a lovely movie & well worth a watch. Sure it's corny at times but hey it's a Christmas movie, I came away from watching this feeling happy.
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peterstorr16 December 2021I agree with many reviewers that the beginning is poor, with uninspired acting, and minimal progress. I was very close to giving up after the first 25 minutes.
But it seemed to pull itself together, especially in the second half. The leads (Iwan Rheon and Frieda Pinto) became far more natural and believable, and the character and filming of Nina was well done.
Music, especially the song, was pretty good too.
Worth watching.....just be tolerant while it gets into its stride. -
ropelawshiel21 December 2021It has a charm after you get over some of the actors rather pantomime performances (probably directed that way). Some members have said it takes around 1 hour to settle in. I agree; it also needs 10 minutes or so cutting out. But I rather enjoyed it, the song is lovely.
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emmafox-7954521 December 2021I love a Christmas movie that's easy to watch. Yes it's a bit corny but aren't most Christmas movies . Also, another one that touches the heart . Sad ending which actually bought a tear to my eye.
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traceytak11 December 2021It felt like everyone had gone into rehearsal and read their lines, no feeling or emotion. British people do not really speak like this unless they are reading ingredients from a food box.
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legolasvsblade10 December 2021Note: Only watched 10 minutes, may have got better.
Always happy to give a new Christmas film ago, but this, was awful. Acting was terrible, and the comedy elements weren't funny.
The rest of the film may have got better, but wasn't willing to find out. -
rosedeakin12 December 2021I was expecting a standard slightly boring Christmas theme and was soon completely wrapped up in the unexpectedly interesting storyline. All the actors were excellent, though I liked best of all the juvenile role acted by Helena Zengel - really surpising and brilliant acting in a complex theme.
Great acting, good story, and the singing and music excellent. The action was fast and vivid. The chidren were enchanting - especially the one who lost a tooth between the first and last filming.
A bit different from the usual bland Christmas fare, a subtle and well-presented story of emotional and dramatic interest. All beautifully done. Thanks for a pleasant evening. I shall certainly watch it again - you miss too much great detail in a once-only viewing! -
mfhirst-0337012 December 2021I'm leaving a review to hopefully prevent someone losing two hours of their life watching this depressing, miserable excuse for a Christmas film.
I wanted to watch Flash Gordon for the 1000th time but, my wife wanted to watch something new.
In a nutshell, a girl dying of cancer asks her uncle (a musician) to write a Christmas song. He does and tells the record label that all monies must go to a cancer charity, the kid dies and the record company trousers all the cash and the film ends, it's so depressing, don't do it to yourself and watch Flash Gordon!!! The only time my wife has ever admitted she got it wrong!!!! I need a stiff drink now! -
jensenholmesPA9 November 2022I adored this movie so much. It's is an instant Christmas classic for me and one I will watch every year. It's the best holiday film so far in 2022 by a mile, and it'll be hard to knock it off it's (ahem) number one spot on my list.
I love it when Christmas movies include music. "Christmas Is All Around" by Billy Mack was the best bit in Love, Actually. Imagine an entire movie built around that and you have A Christmas Number One.
This is a super funny jab at the music industry. Megha, played by Frieda Pinto, is a female record producer who is moved to London to manage a boy band named Five Together. You can tell the guys in the Five Together had a blast spoofing a boy band, and they were so spot on. Their scenes were hilarious.
Five Together needs a Christmas song and Megha finds one when she runs across a video made by a little girl with cancer. It's a song her uncle, a heavy metal musician, wrote for her. The song itself is wonderful and we get several different versions of it during the film. The ending credits are not to be missed either.
This movie has romance, family love and heartbreak, lots of humor, and some killer musical numbers. It made me laugh and cry and want to heap laurels on its little movie head. I'm giving this all the stars, and I need the blu ray right now.
I agree with another reviewer -- I have NO idea why this movie is rated in the 5's. But trust me--you don't want to miss this one. -
cjmoviebuff11 December 2021Just awful, terrible story.. absolutely dreadful acting to the point of it actually being to embarrassing to watch. Hated it! Don't waste your time with this huge pile of pants!
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paulryan-2450211 December 2021This could have been good. It just needed a higher budget , stronger cast, better direction, better lighting , better sounds and better script.
It really was so appallingly badly made it looked like a local school production. -
tmccheyne12 December 2021I've only got through a third of this, and I've given up! Terrible script, terrible acting and horrible noise ! Fast tracked to end.
Not worth it and I was so looking forward to seeing it. -
garyowen6112 December 2021Really enjoyed this xmas movie, brilliant soundtrack, the songs are so catchy, the boy band 5 Together made me chuckle, the film has a sad side to it too but ultimately it is uplifting. I recommend if you want a classic Christmas film.
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ydtgnzg14 December 2021The acting by the female lead is so bad I had to turn the film off after trying to hold out as long as possible. I feel sorry for Iwen having to star in a cringe fest of horrific acting.
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ronniebeattie22 December 2021Enjoyed this movie 🎬 from start to finish, Liked the sound track very catching tune ,I have watched this movie twice its one you can watch over and over again.