I would describe this as a classic Hallmark Christmas movie: a nice and enjoyable romantic story, a decent script, good acting, and plenty of Christmas spirit and festive cheer. This is my 14th Hallmark Christmas movie this 2020 season. Lucky me ;-). Again, it was a nice concept for a love story, predictable, but nice. Though I did lose interest a couple of times early on, the movie eventually pulled me in and engaged me. The acting was strong. Both leads are Hallmark regulars and good actors. I am a fan of The Good Witch, so I naturally like Catherine Bell; she performed well here too. Mark Deklin also had a strong performance. The chemistry between the two was just about right for this movie, I think. The supporting cast was excellent, especially the son and niece. Overall, it is an enjoyably film that provides some holiday warmth and spirit. Fans of Hallmark should enjoy.
Add a Review
-
toddsgraham19 November 2020
-
jagfannn16 November 2020This was an interesting story (albeit done before) but IMO it could've been written differently. The leads Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin have a meet-cute, love at first sight type encounter when they're in their teens and upon meeting later in life, Deklin's character reacts as you might imagine, while Bell's does not. There are some interesting and touching moments, but I would have rather seen them being uncontrollably drawn to each other while trying to hide their previous meeting, instead Bell's repeated brush off attempts don't fit with the story line making her character unlikable. The acting is good here but I think the writing missed the mark.
-
TheLittleSongbird12 April 2022If you have seen your fair share of Hallmark Christmas films, like me as a big fan of the holiday, it would be safe to say that you are very likely to know what to expect and one shouldn't expect any more. Have always watched the Hallmark Christmas films, which have been many over the past few years and especially at the end of last year, with mixed expectations. That are either met and even exceeded, or the film completely misses the mark and does little with any potential.
'Meet Me at Christmas' was more or less what was expected. It didn't exceed expectations, but it is a long way from a waste of potential. Instead it sounded like potentially it would be a pleasant enough diversion with a number of good things and a few big drawbacks, and 'Meet Me at Christmas' turned out to be pretty much exactly that. Not one of Hallmark's best by any stretch but also a long way from their worst as well. 2020 was inconsistent for Hallmark, this is somewhere in the middle.
There are many good things here. The production values are very pleasing to look at, nice use of locations slickly shot. The music generally captures the Christmas feel very well and is not near as over-scored or intrusive as too many of a lot of Hallmark films. The script could have been tighter, but mostly flows nicely and has a light-hearted and sweet tone without being too sugary sweet. It's sympathetically directed without being routine.
While the story is a long way from perfect, it charms and warms the heart and doesn't get too heavy. While having issues with her character initially, Catherine Bell is understated, demure and heartfelt without being too low key. She is matched well by a sympathetic and subtly easy going Mark Deklin and they have a natural chemistry together. The supporting cast do very well and the film generally has characters worth caring for. The ending isn't as rushed or as too neat as those in other Hallmark Christmas films.
As said though, the story for 'Meet Me at Christmas' isn't perfect. There is a bit of an over-reliance on flashbacks and it bogs the momentum down a bit at times, did feel too that some of the writing rambled a little in these scenes (hence what was meant by the script lacking tightness) and the lack of physical resemblance distracted somewhat.
Did feel too that it took too much time to get going story and pace wise. Also Bell's character was not easy to warm to at first, her stubborn-ness was overdone and frustrated. While the music is generally fine, maybe it could have been used a little less and been more varied.
Overall, above average with many good things but some of the pacing and the character writing of one crucial character let the side down. 6/10. -
Jackbv12315 November 2020My initial impression was the similarity with Maggie's Christmas Miracle. This movie uses flashbacks several times to fill in backstory of Joan's history especially related to Beau. It's not a common premise and despite the similarity there are definite differences to the afore mentioned movie. We wait to almost the end of the movie for the revelation of the mystery that has been hanging over the whole movie. It is not something predictable. The ending is touching.
Catherine Bell and Mark Bellemy had chemistry but Joan kept damping it with a combination of ghosts and wanting to preserve Liam's memories. Then all of a sudden, without enough transition, Joan lets herself fall into the spirit of the relationship.
There are things that are blown out of proportion for the purpose of advancing the story. It doesn't flow naturally, or to put it differently, too much of it is contrived. Love at first sight is the holy grail of this kind of movie. That theme is treated in an interesting way in this movie. It is definitely unusual and in that sense sets this movie apart. However it didn't sit right with me.
If you expect realism in this kind of movie, you're watching the wrong kind of movie, but the crisis that threatens the ceremony and its solution stretch the envelope too much for my taste.
As I've mentioned more than once, there are some interesting and unusual things in this movie. I think the acting and production are done well. The fact that I didn't care for how the story developed doesn't mean that others will feel the same. -
toncincin17 November 2020AND yet another failed attempt by Hallmark to do flashbacks - with young actors who don't even remotely resemble the current day couple. You know Hallmark - if "This is Us" can do it - you can too.
-
cgvsluis11 December 2020Good witch star, Catherine Bell, meets GCB star, Mark Deklin, as a teen at a Christmas resort. In classic Love Affair/Affair To Remember style they agree to meet at the tree for the tree lighting ceremony and one of them doesn't show up...fast forward to meeting again at her son's wedding to his niece. The two must pull together and put together the wedding of his nieces dreams when the wedding coordinator quits for a celebrity elopement and her parents flight is delayed...and all of this takes place at the original site of their first meeting. Nice slow build love story with beautiful Christmas backdrop(kudos to the prop workers and set designers!). Also Catherine Bell and Mark Deklin were really very sweet together...another feel good Hallmark classic!
-
montgomerysue18 November 2020Looks like Catherine Bell went to Cher's cosmetologist and got a new, fuller face - not a wrinkle in sight ! - but that doesn't help the credibility of this fiasco. Badly written (some dialogue is cringe-worthy) and ridiculously slow, this fails on all levels. The direction is sloppy and the supporting cast is bland and amateurish, with the exception of Mark Deklin, who tries his best to make this tripe work. Bell's movies are usually interesting and she generally gives a natural, intelligent performance, but in this she just comes across as a pretentious goofball and the plot line just sort of slogs along for two hours. "Skip This at Christmas".
-
Mysterylover-6019825 December 2020This movie was one of Hallmark's best this year. Good chemistry between the lead actors, interesting storyline, and beautiful location.
-
JoBloTheMovieCritic29 November 20206/10 - second chance at love Hallmark flick is worth a watch
-
adamjohns-4257516 December 2020I like Catherine Bell, but I don't think that Mark Deklin is right for her in this film, she was a much better pairing with Eric Close in "Christmas In The Air".
The general concept of finding a childhood love again, that the story is based on, has been explored many times in films of this genre and it's not a bad try here.
I like the wedding prep build up, but it does kind of take over the Christmas side of things, which is what I really tune in for.
I'm starting to think that Hallmark are reaching a bit with their stories and having seen so many of them, I can definitely say that they are getting very repetitive. It's time to change the format a bit, mix up the story and maybe not everyone has to be happy in the end? Only some of them are currently being done well. I think this one is a good example, but I'm afraid Mark isn't quite the hotty I have become accustomed to. -
jsnyder-186491 August 2021I really enjoyed this movie. Love Catherine Bell and she was great in it.
-
crosemnnc10 December 2020It was not the best, but it was ok. Gave it 7 stars just because it was a safe movie for my family to watch.
-
bendwbl15 November 2020Huh. I usually like these more. Some parts were refreshing, like the fact that it focused on people over the age of 45, with the kids being the secondary couple. The flashbacks to their initial day together were fun and sweet. Also, it wouldn't be a Hallmark movie without some of the old tropes, in this case, each side hearing half of the story and jumping to conclusions.
My biggest problem was Joan. I normally like Catherine Bell, but I have trouble figuring out what her acting choices were, because she mostly came off as having a very bad day through the whole story. I spent much of the time feeling sorry for Beau, who was too smitten to see how utterly miserable she was to be around. The audience should not be yelling for someone in the main couple to "RUN!" unless he or she is still with the unsuitable-current-one-who-is-about-to-get-dumped.
Not my favorite. -
Kirpianuscus21 November 2021A part of film I was not seduced by the wooden performance of Catherine Bell. But, the reasonable answer can be the partner , Mark Deklin not being the most inspired option for youth love . Luke Bilyk is, unfortunately , not the best Liam - only a sketch of character - but Lorette Clow can be a reasonable compensation. Short, a nice story and nothing more, many pieces of the Hallmark Christmas films being so precise keeped than all seems pretty dusty deja vu.
-
MickyG3339 December 20237.3 stars.
Normally I'd rate a movie like this around 6.3 stars, but because the leads are able to convey something real, albeit a bit depressing, it makes 'Meet Me at Christmas' a legitimate love story about disappointment and second chances.
First thing I noticed is the younger versions of the leads share nothing in common with the older versions. Their mannerisms, acting style, and appearance are so vastly different that it lacks continuity. The quality of the experience and entertainment value are greatly affected by this apparent oversight.
The majority of tension between the leads is tangible and detracts from real chemistry. It seemed to me the actors themselves have a mutual dislike for each other and it shows. Or maybe this is deliberate, in which case the goal was achieved.
Catherine Bell has her moments. In some scenes she shines like a star, but in others she seems a bit off. Again, I can only attribute this to the rapport of the actors.
The story has been done a billion times, and the only difference between this and so many other Hallmark movies is the fact that they aren't disguising or pretending to be something else. It's a genuine story about a guy and a gal who have completely changed in the past 25 years. Their adult counterparts are unrecognizable when compared to their younger selves. -
yaadpyar25 November 2020I love Hallmark Xmas movies. I know they are trite, and I know what will happen - which couple will end up together. I love the fairy-tale mythology of Hallmark movies, that Christmas magic will brings true love. But this movie isn't worth the time getting to that sometimes delightful payoff.
Catherine Bell is as flat and lifeless as I've ever seen her, with a character that goes from 0-1 in 120 minutes. Almost nothing happens in the entire movie, and the smallness of the story is as claustrophobic as the couple of sets the entire thing happens in.
The misunderstanding that runs throughout the whole movie has no basis in any context that would make me care. No chemistry in the cast, especially between the main leads, and I just eneded up fast-forwarding through the entire wedding scene get to the inevitable outcome.
The lead couple meet one time decades ago and then don't see each other again until now. But instead of enjoying this re-connection, Catherine's character spends the movie affirming her true love for her dead husband instead. Why? Why is this holiday movie about her mourning her loss instead of celebrating the return of a man who was in her life for a brief and magical time? No idea, but I think it was a mistake.
I really enjoy a lot of these movies. Nashville Christmas Carol, for example, was really a pleasure to watch. But there was something off here - the writing was formulaic, with the characters seemingly disconnected from each other, reading lines with no feeling. Catherine Bells character wasn't likeable or interesting, and her mopey performance seemed to unnecessary. I didn't care at all if they got back together.
So many cuter Hallmark movies to enjoy. Don't waste your time on this one. -
sailingStu15 December 2020Regardless of how you might feel about Catherine Bell's appearance (yes, it's different from her earlier works), you should watch the story and feel the emotions. It's believable and better than a lot of other Hallmark Christmas efforts. The way the story is wrapped up by the bride's father was unexpected and perfect. Also, it's great when there are no distracting PC side stories.
-
mbates-9961218 November 2020Storyline was good. Sadly, Catherine Bell's performance was not engaging. Absent the enthusiasm as seen in her other roles. Generally, I have enjoyed Hallmark's Christmas movies tremendously.
-
roger561629 November 2020I loved everything about this movie, especially the lovely Catherine Bell. It seems like she never ages. She is so warm and enchanting. The location was picture perfect, as well.
-
Carycomic15 November 2020But, five seconds after the "meet-cute" moment, I knew who Bo was going to turn out to be. The 2020 version of Luke Macfarlane's character from "Maggie's Xmas Miracle." And Catherine Bell is basically rehashing her character from "Home For Christmas." The only difference being that it's her prospective daughter-in-law, rather than her daughter, who is studying to be a veterinarian.
Throw in the awkward banter of Steve Lund and Merritt Patterson, from "The Christmas Cottage," and you have a disappointingly non-riveting mish-mash that wastes all the actors' talents, in general, and Catherine Bell's in particular. -
deliver-4136221 August 2022Hallmark movies can be tough enough to watch but has this actress always had filler duck lips? Such an annoying look. Not even the look of snow could keep me watching.
-
helencollantine14 December 2020I really loved this Hallmark movie and have watched it over again. Mark Deklin always makes any movie a pleasure to watch and this one was no exception.
-
hallmarkchristmasguy13 December 2023Meet Me At Christmas is a typical Hallmark Christmas movie about lost loves being reunited as adults. It has a lot of the standard plot devices long time Hallmark/made for TV a Christmas movie watchers will recognize. The lead character's spouse is deceased, she doesn't think she'll find love again. The male lead was a guy she had a romantic date with as a teenager but stood her up. They end up reunited at her son's wedding. Their spark eventually rekindles, she forgives him for standing her up as a kid but then in typical Hallmark fashion she gets the idea he's leaving town for work. He overhears her telling her son that her deceased husband is her one true love. Contrived misunderstandings all around as is typical about an hour into any of these movies. Obviously being a Hallmark movie, it all works out in the end.
The fact that this is so generic and predictable isn't an issue for me, some of the best Hallmark Christmas movies follow the "hallmark formula". The problem with Meet Me At Christmas is that there is no quirky humor, no charm, no stand out acting performances and the plot is about the thinnest as you will find.
Usually the formulaic movies in this genre make for good festive background noise, and some are stand outs worth watching every year. This one is dull and forgettable unfortunately. It's not an especially bad movie thanks to decent acting but in a genre with so many options, it's one to pass over for something with more personality. -
zyxnix5 December 2020I am a big fan of Catherine Bell, and she delivers in this movie. Only thing that was driving me crazy was her hair. Come on, it's terrible. What kind of cut is that? I love these Gen X flash-back, lost-love movies. One thing I was hoping for was Joan dashing to the airport to catch Beau to clear up the misunderstanding. I love that stuff. But the ending was a little hurried but it was still satisfying all the same.
-
loren0905197315 November 2020"The "potential" for a movie's greatness lies not in the actors performance but in the words that are written for them to embody."
Thank you Jennifer Aspen for bringing this story to our lives in this uncertain time. As you demonstrated with masterful approach to the very real subject of loss for military families with the movie Home for Christmas Day, it was without doubt you would again delight and touch all of our hearts with your approach to another very real life scenario "Can the heart have the capacity to love again?". This movie will bring hope to the lives of so many, who have loved and lost, that they can find love again. I especially love how your movies move along quickly. Efficient, yet full of detail, depth and suspense! Wonderful movie!! THANK YOU!! For giving us these delightful movies!