A Cowboy Christmas Romance (2023 TV Movie) User Reviews (10)

Better than the average holiday schmaltz.

[Corinne-Folk · 8/10 · 11 December 2023]

I am a faithful holiday romance watcher. This is better than average and among the best I have seen so far in the 2023 season. I saved the recording and would watch again.

Good: Chemistry between the two leads was good. I love Jana Kramer and she was well cast here. Spice level was mild enough for basic cable TV but better than the distinct lack of spice on the other more "wholesome" networks. Story was good, and most of the characters were believable.

Bad: The eldest brother seemed to be trying way too hard throughout the entire movie to be a villain without actually ultimately being a villain. That seemed unnecessary to me. The worst and most unbelievable character was Abby though. She was played by a girl clearly in her teens, but was written as though she was much younger. The dad has to sing her to sleep, she believes in Santa, talks very childish, etc. So, that was strange to me. They needed to write her as a teen or cast a younger girl, maybe 7 or 8 years old. That bothered be throughout the entire movie.

Neutral Comment: Apart from being set at Christmas time, this is not a Christmas movie. This could take place at any time of year and not change the story at all. Absolutely nothing was related to Christmas. That didn't bother me at all, not just felt worth mentioning.

Overall, very watchable and even enjoyable movie.

Different is good.

[allmoviesfan · 7/10 · 25 December 2023]

What's this? A Lifetime Christmas movie where most of the usual plot devices and festive activities are completely ignored? A Lifetime Christmas movie where there is swearing? A Lifetime Christmas movie where the two characters - literally in this case - have a roll in the hay? What's more, there isn't even

If you want the usual gingerbread house building and tree-lighting schmaltz (I say that in the nicest way possible, because I love big helpings of festive schmaltz!) watch something else.

If you want something - shock, horror - different, settle in and watch 'A Cowboy Christmas Romance', a refreshing, if sometimes bleak, story about legacies and mending family for Christmas.

Jana Kramer and Adam Senn are great in the lead roles and there is plenty of good acting across the board. I loved the Arizona desert setting and the more realistic conflict that the Crenshaw family go through. There is, of course, the usual happy ending, but like much else in this film, it's more believable than the usual.

Lifetime's best Christmas movie in some time.

A very nice Christmas cowboy movie

[vjf36 · 7/10 · 10 December 2023]

I must say I liked this movie very much. Was surprise it was rated very low by the critics the lead actress Kramer was very good and very convincing as a cowgirl. The lead actor not that good he seemed to play a old fashion cowboy but to slow for me The supporting cast were fine The mother was terrific she's a scene stealer The whole story though not original but I think they all did well. Lifetime is on the right track with these types of movies particular Christmas. They are competing with hallmark who's dropped down a peg or two and now GAC. Lifetime holiday movies are good and l am looking forward to future ones.

Family

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 10 December 2023]

This family is messed up. But it almost makes sense how they got this way. And this movie is a little edgy for a Christmas movie. It is also a little complicated for the average Christmas movie.

The story starts out like so many, but Lexi is not at all likeable in the beginning. Lexi is a successful business woman. She closes deals. That's code for she manipulates people into the outcome she wants. The next deal which might interfere with Christmas vacation requires her to go home or at least to her hometown. Lexi hates her hometown and she is very very angry at her father. She hasn't been home in ten years and hasn't communicated with her family either. We get clues as to why along the way but it isn't totally spelled out until late in the story.

The title has Romance in it, but I think that the romance is half or less than half of the story. It is also rushed because of everything else in the story. And then there is the sex scene. Oh what a big deal. Lifetime TV's first sex scene in a Christmas movie. Oh gee. I thought it was underwhelming even for what might be called borderline family TV. There is nothing close to nudity except a shirtless man, also seen from far away in his boxers, and glimpses of a woman in her bra. The sex itself is passed over, as the Trivia on this site says, in a fade to black way.

Like many Christmas movies, the ending wraps everything up for everyone, maybe too nicely. There was at least one twist, but not completely unpredictable.

I give this movie a semi-positive rating (7 is my default for good but not great). It kept me interested. But it won't be the first thing I watch a second time.

No Snow, Royalty, Baker, Event Planner, etc. But It Worked

[captainrailroad · 10/10 · 11 December 2023]

A noted departure for this season's multiple Christmas movies. The Arizona locale was different (regardless of where it was actually filmed) and the family issues were also much different than normal plot lines in these Christmas movies. I liked the focus on ranch work and the reality that it's not everyone's favorite way of making a living.

The "sensual" scene was quick (lots left to your imagination as it should be for a Christmas movie) but contributed to the raw feelings at the end that had to be resolved. Along with Hallmark's "The Royal Nanny" and its connection with MI5 I find the unusual plot lines of these types of Christmas movies interesting and worth watching again.

My new favorite

[jsadtler-08187 · 10/10 · 27 December 2023]

I loved this movie. Watched it twice in two days which I never do. I appreciate having a more nuanced story. Sure it's still a Christmas romance but it has great characters and sub-plots - and some creativity! And none of the over-the-top tacky Christmas stuff. Plus there is actual romance ... and I loved that you see it in the beginning not the last two minutes. I enjoyed the characters and acting. And the steamy scenes that are missing from all the other movies. It feels more realistic!

How's this review too short? I'm not a TV critic. I don't want to write a dissertation. I loved the movie 10/10. I'd watch more like it!

A dichotomous romance

[gfrasmd · 3/10 · 11 December 2023]

Lexie, played by Jana Kramer, returns to her Texas hometown and faces unresolved grudges with her family, while attempting to convince a local rancher, Coby to sell his ranch to investors her company represents. Coby is a single father of a girl, abandoned by his ex, if I understood correctly, and stubbornly opposed to selling. Overall, the story follows expected patterns to a renewed family understanding and romance, sweet or sappy in differently expressed opinions. While the plot is not innovative, it has its good moments and could have run as a reasonably pleasing drama. What makes it limpy are a number of incongruences, some already pointed out by other reviewer. In the attempt to spice up an otherwise sappy story, the production flaunts more explicit sexual content and even a bland sexual scene. I do not have a problem with either, though, once included, the sexual sequence could have been more intensely romantic. The problem is that these elements seem forced, and muddle the story, rather than adding to it. The psychology of the lead characters becomes schizophrenic.

Lexie starts out as a woman who picks up a stranger in a bar, throwing herself for a one-night stand, and, soon later, in the process of getting laid mumbles: "Merry Christmas to me". Then immediately transforms into a selfless, loving Christmas angel, ready for a life of commitment. Coby begins resisting the lures of a strong attraction, stating that is not a one-and-done kind of guy, just to go for it a day later, deciding that you-are-here-now is a good enough concept. Clearly, this is realistic and it would be quite appropriate in a different kind of movie. Yet, how to reconcile this mundanity with the sudden change into a fairy tale finale? Should a single dad, with strong reason to protect his daughter, and should the viewers believe a one-night-stand woman to be a credible choice for a devoted wife and stepmother? The movie tries to be too many things. A well told, realistic story of sexual attraction sounds fine. A Christmas-y sentimental fantasy would have its merits. You just cannot mix them both, half-baked, and make them believable.

In the process, none is developed well and values and messages are contradictory, when not confused. Somehow, I feel relieved that,this year, Lifetime has drastically cut down its involvement with Christmas productions.

A Plus in Christmas Programming...

[rondilger · 9/10 · 26 December 2023]

Some who are critical are so because it IS a rom com. The rating should be made among not just rom coms - and there are better - but among Christmas rom coms and there are VERY few that can match this one. The plot is actually fresh, albeit as I read the previews I thought this was going just another person returning to their home town at Christmas to broker a deal. It turns out that was the start and the storyline took a nice turn. Roles are well written and well played. The storyline has NO cookie baking, Christmas tree shopping, snowball fights. This is fresh for a Christmas rom com. In fact with the realistic romantic scene it is fresh among all rom coms this year and in all past years. Wake up Hallmark; grow up.

Oh, please!

[quasistellarnomad · 1/10 · 10 December 2023]

Just another Hallmark/Lifetime chick flick full of sappy, romantic notions, and very little realism. For people/actors who allegedly are raised on a Texas ranch, besides the word "ain't", there isn't one of them that talks like a Texan. The plot is thin, at best, and horrible the rest of the time. It only caters to those looking for a sappy love story to brighten their boring Christmas nights. I wouldn't waste your time. Also, how is the realtor from California all of a sudden authorized to conduct transactions in Texas (or Arizona, whichever it was)? Am I the only one that finds that a little fishy? Geez, could I have my hour and a half back?

Loved this movie

[terrylynnsm · 10/10 · 11 December 2023]

I absolutely ADORE Jana Kramer and try to catch everything she is in. I will say, even if I didn't know who she was..this would STILL be a new favorite Christmas movie. The storyline of the film was a good story. It also wasn't cheesy like most Hallmark/Lifetime movies. It made the characters actually seem like real people!! Thank goodness we finally got kissing scenes besides one peck at the end. Their chemistry was great, you could tell they actually tired to make the characters have a relationship & not just acting. An all around wonderful movie! I hope they come up with a sequel some how!!