The story is like a mix of Christmas Time Travel films with a hint of It's a Wonderful Life thrown in. I didn't think the makers could pull off such a cheesy plot of career v love at Christmastime , but they just about did ! With strong cameos from Christopher Lloyd & William Shatner , they were off to a good start, and great bubbly acting from Eloise Mumford made the film worth watching. Sure , it had several cliched moments and used a tried & tested formula - but overall I think you'll enjoy it .
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Lew7772 December 2021
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TheLittleSongbird29 April 2023There were three main reasons for seeing 'Just in Time for Christmas'. One was for Hallmark completest sake, with it being part of a quest to see as many Hallmark and Lifetime films as possible (Christmas initially and then gradually moving onto the non-Christmas films). Two was for the concept, have seen time travel done a few times before with Hallmark (though in films released later) and done quite well. Three was for the cast, having always enjoyed Christopher Lloyd and liking Eloise Munford in other things.
'Just in Time for Christmas' was pleasant enough and is worth seeing. Of the 2015 Hallmark Christmas films, it's somewhere in the middle rather than being one of the best or worst. It is another one of those films that could have done a good deal more with its concept and the time travel, but did appreciate its good intentions, that it wasn't cold emotionally and that it was mostly well performed. Not a great film, but in my mind 'Just in Time for Christmas' was still watchable.
Starting with the good things, there are no complaints to be had with the production values. Especially the often magical scenery that really does give off a festive vibe. The cast are also well above average on the whole, Munford gives a very engaging performance that doesn't feel underplayed or overacted. Didn't think she overdid any mannerisms personally (have seen and heard worse) and she succeeds at giving her character growth. She does have some spark with Michael Stahl-David.
Lloyd is amusing and charming in his role and William Shatner (yes that William Shatner) looked as though he was enjoying himself without being as hammy as he usually is. T is sympathetically and not too routinely directed. The script is not too bad. Nothing to be wowed by but other Hallmark festive films do a far worse job at making one cringe. It can be cornball definitely, but there is less of a cheese overload and it doesn't seem too soapy, or at least to me it didn't. The story is engaging and doesn't take itself too seriously, while being well meaning and moving.
However, there are things that could have been better. As said already, more could have been done with the concept, which is a bit too ordinary and lacks imagination with the time travel. Not all the story rings true, especially the very rushed and unrealistic final decision which made the ending too pat (a common problem with Hallmark) and Stahl-David's character's irritational behaviour being overdone and too suddenly introduced (we are talking completely out of left field).
Did find Stahl-David a bit too bland and stiff and that the relationship between him and Mumford could have been more fleshed out. The music did feel too intrusive and could have been used less and more toned down, didn't think it always fitted either.
Summing up, found a lot to like here but it could have been more. 6/10. -
MickyG3334 December 20227.1 stars.
If you like Eloise Mumford you will like this movie. If you love her, you will love this movie. If you don't, you won't. That's all you need to know about 'Just in Time for Christmas'.
I happen to like her, not fully in love with her, and she does her best in this, in spite of a flawed script. I've seen her in other shows and movies, and there is something desirous about her warmth and of her smile (of course what's not to love about her smile, one of the best in the business). In contrast, she can be vexing from time to time. I have difficulty with the shrill screams and giggles throughout. Her voice has a way of piercing the auditory array and disrupting your serenity. Outside of that, I enjoy her as an actress in this film.
The male lead is good, although he seems a bit less masculine than most male leads in Hallmark movies to date. I get that he is suave in his own original way, which was endearing for the ladies, I'm sure. In this movie, I don't believe he is developed enough as a character. We as an audience don't get the opportunity to get acquainted with the man who has so monumentally captured her heart. They got the script wrong when they left him under-developed. We need another 10 minutes in the beginning to get to know him better, maybe see them interact more, see what makes him tick, see all the good sides of his personality, and what she loves about him.
The rest of the movie, save the very end, is mundane for me, although it was sufficient to hold my attention for the journey. The confusion, memory loss, her dream job, which constitute a large proportion of the film, are poorly coordinated, and over-embellished.
The SAVING GRACE is that the end is spectacular, one of the best finales that I've seen in a Hallmark movie to date. It really is in my top 5. Did they wrap this up brilliantly - yes. Did they develop the in between parts of the movie so we could enjoy the end even more - negatory. -
I watched this movie like 10 times already and i can't help but becoming emotional towards the end .... the wedding scene is like the director must have known .. it focuses on the emotion of the lead actress as she misses all the loved ones during her 3 year after travel... loosing the chance for a blissful wedding, her mother heart attach, every success meant nothing for her if she has no one to share it with... i don't want to spoil the story but eventually you will know that this is one of those cliché movies that in the end everything is good... but it was the way the director focused on her emotions.. every scene you could feel her regrets... thats priceless... i just love how she was happy and giggling after she came back from the future... i love her every scene.. whew... watch this and you will love it.. it should be a classic Christmas love story... in the line of scrooche and miracle on the 42nd street ... time travel story never seize to amaze me on the what if's, what could have been's of one's Life journey...
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"Just In Time For Christmas" is not your average Christmas movie. And with that being said, don't get me wrong. I am not saying that it is not a good movie or a suitable movie to watch during the Christmas holidays, far from it. It is, in fact, a wholesome family Christmas movie and actually quite entertaining if you enjoy these pseudo-corny types of movies.
It turned out that "Just In Time For Christmas" was actually far more entertaining and watchable than I had initially anticipated. So I was more than genuinely surprised with the outcome of the movie, because it was rather good.
Storywise, then the movie is generic and pretty much as predictable as they come. Corny, yes, and also quite stereotypical. But it is the kind of story that you quickly and easily get caught up in.
The acting in "Just In Time For Christmas" was quite good, and people were doing great jobs in portraying the various roles and characters in the movie. Just a shame that Christopher Lloyd didn't have a more prominent role in the movie. And it was somewhat of a fun surprise to see William Shatner make a small appearance in the movie as well.
"Just In Time For Christmas" is the kind of movie that leaves you with a good feeling and puts you in a cheerful mood. So on that account, it is a movie that definitely sits well to be watched during the Christmas season. This is hardly a Christmas classic in any sense, but it is well-worth taking the time to watch once. I say once, because I don't think that "Just In Time For Christmas" actually has material enough to its storyline to sustain multiple viewings.
I watched this movie with my family during the Christmas holidays of 2016, and it was among one of the better movies to make it to the screen that particular season. -
Christmas-Reviewer10 November 2017I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES. SO BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN.
In this film Lindsay has to make a tough decision: stay in her small hometown and marry longtime beau Jason, or accept a once-in-a- lifetime job teaching at an Ivy League college thousands of miles away. Fortunately, a magical messenger gives her a priceless Christmas Time gift.
What I liked the most about this film is that it resolved everything and the people featured in this film all have a happier life.
The screenplay was well thought out. The plot is a "fantasy" however it is very plausible on how some would react if they find themselves 3 years into the future! -
Of course the "correct choice / happy ending" according to Hallmark is to sacrifice one's own success and career to settle down and get married. Predictable even by Hallmark standards. As if we don't already know that society expects / pressures everyone to choose marriage.
Also, I've enjoyed Eloise Mumford in other films, but thought her performance was just awful in this one (again, even by Hallmark standards). She pretty much just giggles the whole time.
How did Christopher Lloyd agree to be in this? About the only good thing about this film is the scenic (and very familiar, to me!) Vancouver and Victoria British Columbia filming locations. -
athompsonblue21 October 2022I firmly believe that marriage and family are more important than careers and material success. But the protagonist here wasn't in dire need of this lesson. From the get-go, she never acted shallow or greedy or overly ambitious. She was simply thrown two curveballs in a single evening, and then her fiance gaslit her for needing time to process them. Then, in the potential future, she acts out of place in the big leagues, and seems alone in Connecticut. But, given that she was thrown into this with no accompanying memories, OF COURSE she'd be a fish out of water! And of course she doesn't know these Yale and book publishing people! And the movie just assumes that, after three years, she'd have no new boyfriend, nor a social life outside of work.
In the end, she doesn't have to give up her success. She just has to ask her fiance to come with her -- a very obvious solution to her dilemma. Back in the proposal scene, I was thinking he should go with her! I mean, the guy ran a coffee shop. It's not like she'd be asking him to make a huge personal sacrifice. We never saw the guy's family or close friends, so we had no reason to believe he had close ties to this community.
The man here was the one who needed a lesson. He was impatient and inconsiderate. The proposal didn't go the way he wanted, but is that really HER fault? She was just trying to process everything. Instead of hearing her out and staying to discuss options, he was quick to walk away in a huff.
Moreover, it bugs me when a movie is set at Christmas, but the plot really has nothing to do with the holiday. You could just as easily set this in June. -
MichaelByTheSea7 November 2022Like many others, I really enjoy time travel/alternate reality movies. This is a tried and true formula that has worked ever since "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life". Hallmark has made a bunch of really good "What if?" movies. Some of my recent favorites include "Next Stop Christmas", "Love Strikes Twice", and "Ghosts of Christmas Always". Hallmark Queen Lacey Chabert starred in another good one called "Family For Christmas". And Hallmark King Andrew Walker starred in a good one called "A Dream of Christmas."
This movie starts off with an "inspired" speech by "Harbourview College" psychology professor Lindsay Rogers who clearly loves her career. "How do we become people who always strive to be better? How can any of us live a truly inspired life? For each of us, the answers may be different. But what's important is asking the question...what gives my life meaning?"
Behind her, during the speech, is an enlarged picture of Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" pyramid with "self actualization" at the top. She doesn't discuss the pyramid, but it's a famous visual depiction of Maslow's theories about motivation which linked human biological needs with human psychology. Well worth a Google if you're unfamiliar with Maslow.
Shortly thereafter, while driving to meet her boyfriend for dinner, Lindsay has a phone call with "the Dean" at Yale University who offers to publish her thesis and suggests it might, somehow, become a best seller (improbable but not impossible; see Camille Paglia, whose thesis became a best-seller).
I love this exchange:
Lindsay: "Wait, you think that 'Inspired: a study in self conceptualization and its quantifiable impact on interpersonal paradigm outcomes' could be a best seller?" Dean Jackman: "So maybe the title could use some work."
The Dean then also dangles a tenure track position as an associate professor in Yale University's psychology department. Professionally, Lindsay has hit the jackpot. That's not a small thing. The only problem: her boyfriend Jacob, played earnestly by Michael Stahl-David, wants to get married and doesn't want to leave the West Coast for the East Coast.
I thought this was well directed by Sean McNamara. The beginning features a crisply edited latte making scene at Jacob's "Caffeinated Cafe" and there are a lot of great and emotive reaction shots along the way that allow all of the actors to shine. I was also impressed with the writing by Helen Frost and Don MacLeo.
There was also some stunt casting with Christopher Lloyd as Grandpa Bob. He gets a few "wink wink" lines that were obviously intended to remind viewers of his role in Back to the Future (he did this again in "Next Stop Christmas"). I thought those were fun. This movie also features William Shatner as Nick the Coachman. Shatner is infamous for shamelessly overacting and being way too hammy in his roles. But here, he is surprisingly low key, restrained and pleasant.
Laura Soltis plays Lindsay's mom and is effective as always. She's also one of my favorite "Older Moms" in Hallmark movies along with Barbara Niven. Tess Atkins also does a lot with a little in playing Jacob's sweet coworker Becca. I felt really bad for her in the alternate reality.
The leads were both charming and believable as lifelong friends who fell in love and seemed poised for the next step (the video highlight reel was really sweet). In some ways, this was like watching a sequel to all the Hallmark movies that feature childhood and/or high school friends who reconnect, fall back in love and decide to live Happily Ever After. This movie picks up after the endings of those movies, and features what happens "After", when reality kicks in and career goals conflict.
I thought the writers presented a very honest and realistic conflict with very reasonable and legitimate alternatives. I didn't think this was an easy choice for anyone. And, thankfully, gone are the days when the woman is always and automatically forced to give up her dream job, or a place she loves, in order to have true love.
I had a few issues (why was that park worker raking a giant empty field? Millions of dollars, a mansion, and a limo to a book signing after one self help psychology book?) but overall I really enjoyed the movie and I just can't get enough of Eloise Mumford. She is easily one of my favorite Hallmark actresses. -
lauraly7 December 2022This movie was disappointing. Are we really still doing this--movies with the woman giving up her dreams of accepting a Yale professorship to settle with her longtime boyfriend in the town they grew up in so he can continue to run his coffee shop--because coffee shops aren't allowed in New Haven, apparently. Like grownup men and women can't plan and compromise when they want to be together. Very frustrating. How about when the guy tells her he thought he would be her dream. What is it, 1950? It was messed up then, and messed up now. No issues with the acting, everyone did a competent job. The amnesia thing was weird, too.
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djkash19 December 2015Loved this movie. The characters are sweet and charming. Truthful and loving without being sugary. Acting is excellent and as someone who loves any movie with a time travel component and Christmas movies in general, I found this to be the best of both worlds. You just can't help but love Eloise Mumford from the moment she steps on screen. Her smile and gentleness are completely captivating. Michael Stahl-David is a wonderful sweet and funny leading man, and Christopher Lloyd is the perfect companion for the journey, I also love the Back to the Future trilogy and the reference although subtle is not lost. Enjoy this feel good story about finding what is really important
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Seriously. Don't watch this movie if you hate seeing women giving up their dreams for their men. This movie would have been fine a couple of decades ago, but realising a movie in 2015 where the successful women is being unhappy because of a man? No, this is not OK. The leading man is just unlikable, not understanding, egocentric and even slightly manipulative.
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Kirpianuscus24 December 2020A Christmas film seductive for the references to A wonderful lider, Christopher Lloyd and William Shatner.A woman in dilemma, a wise grandfather and an useful angel and three years as precise definition of options. Short, just nice.
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eprusulis2 January 2023The really good Christmas movie main problem now is they wrote the story up one bad point. The main character she's actually not that nice of a person she does a lot of not nice things I mean she's kind of a homewrecker tries to justify her saying no to getting married and blaming the guy when to make herself feel better. Where are meanwhile it's all her fault she's the one who chose her career over a getting married to where she could've figured out a way to do a career where they live but because that was more important to her but meanwhile she's trying to put the blame on him so she's really not that nice of a person. If they didn't write it that way I probably would've rated in the higher.
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Harbinger_37816 February 2016Wow. Can't believe there's only one review on this. Casting was superb, and the story was sweet. Can't believe myself didn't notice the movies from this channel sooner. Always have been a sucker for romantic comedies - even more so when a holiday is added to the mix. First saw Master Eloise Mumford was in Not Safe For Work, and she totally grabbed me in that low-budget movie, then Christmas with Holly - oh, that was awesome. She did excellent job here, and I sure hope to see more of her in Hallmark's holiday stories(Though, for this particular movie - the Dalai Lama part was a tad bit redundant. Just saying). Master Stahl-David... his performance with Master Zoe Kazan in In Your Eyes totally inspired a new story out of me, and in here, his chemistry with Mumford was really amazing. However, even with these amazing protagonists(even with Legendary Master Bill Shatner), of course the top spotlight stealer goes to Master Christopher Lloyd - I seriously did not expect to see him here, and I can't even begin to describe the excitement whenever I even think about his line; "Time travel?" Reference to Back to the Future - man, already made me excited with his cameo in A Million Ways to Die in the West, and now here - top score. The story goes really great: it's really helpful(even with all warnings against knowing too much about the future) to see what happens(or what would happen) in the next few years, to actually know the every step of your way, the ramifications every move you make would bring... then go back to the point of origin, and do things in according to your true self's heart. It's like the story Big Fish - the boy saw how he would die in the future, and learned that he would survive everything else that he came across - it's very helpful. Gosh, I just love so much about these Hallmark stories. Hope they never end. Fantastic work from this kind, open-minded twenty-five-year-old here in China, and may the wonders never fade, and the arrows of Cupid always aim true and find their marks. Congratulations.
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jmgimbel21 November 2021Why does the woman always have to give up her success for these movies to "work"? I've yet to see one where a man is challenged for taking the best career opportunities, and that's certainly not the message I want to give my daughter or son. I'm unsure why these rom cons don't come up with a new formula with the woman realizes there are more men or women to meet. Loving your career isn't evil and having success gives one the chance to own and direct ones own life. That's no small thing.
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I watched this special show with my daughter while she was home for Thanksgiving. This story is inspiring and actually not so easy to predict as most stories of its genre. The magical "It's a Wonderful Life" type structure of the story and superb casting made this a tearful and joyful as well as entertaining movie to watch.
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bigsis_je14 July 2021This movie was cute, I guess; but as another reviewer wrote, it was also painful to watch.
First, the initial conflict seemed very contrived. Judging by the scenes preceding the proposal, I didn't notice any character flaws on the female lead's part. And the male lead's angry irrationality came out of nowhere. Hadn't they been friends since middle school? So why would he react so strongly and not give her a chance to speak? And why was she the one who had to learn the lesson in the movie? I didn't pick up on any greed or selfishness regarding her considering the professorship..., so why was she the one who had to go through the learning experience in the movie?
In addition to the fact that I couldn't understand the point of this story needing to be told, it was just plain painful to watch her go through the ordeal of not knowing what had happened to her or her memory without having a "ghost of Christmas future" or wise person to guide her and reassure her that she wasn't going crazy. I hated watching her suffer like that. And all for what? For her boyfriend to not have to ultimately learn some listening skills?
In the end, I'm glad they were both prepared to make some compromises. So I guess I would say the ending is better than the rest of the movie, but still it was painful for me to witness her going through such an ordeal, and I just didn't understand the premise of the conflict and plot. -
mads-7572829 December 2019Over all fun, but so annoyed by Eloise Mumfords incessant forced giggling throughout the movie. Nobody giggles like that, and was super annoying. Minus the giggles I would have upped it 3 stars. Otherwise very cute
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dringdarren5 October 2021The combination of time travel and Christmas made this a surprisingly good magical film that people of all ages can enjoy.
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During the Christmas season (and now in mid-summer), Hallmark puts on the Christmas movies where everything always turns out great in the end, and all of the people are usually very nice (oh, they might have a character with a mean streak...who reforms, of course). I actually did like this one. Corny...somewhat. But, not a bad story. And, a couple of good character actors appear: Christopher Lloyd and William Shatner.
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Christopher Lloyd says "Maybe it's time travel". For me that was the funniest part of the movie, and maybe the only funny part.
For most of the movie there are none of the warm, or nostalgic, or ah moments. I'd hope for more from a Hallmark movie, but especially if it is a Christmas Hallmark movie. Actually, except for the so-called sleigh ride, this movie could easily not be a Christmas movie.
One thing I hate about movies where the protagonist suddenly has a life with a whole new history, and no memory of it, is that she is expected to know all that missing history, which of course is ridiculous. I suppose it is meant to be funny, but it doesn't work for me. This movie managed to get past most of that when she quickly gets to her grandfather who fills in most of the missing pieces. But then there has to be a scene with a recent former student who asks her to quote something from the missing past. It wasn't funny; it was painful. And it wasn't necessary.
The reunion and rehashing moments with Jason and Lindsay were painful as well. Lindsay nearly destroys Jason's new life.
I will admit that the possibly predictable "Stop the wedding" doesn't happen. Resolution comes in a different way, which is alternatively predictable. She should have known what getting out of the carriage would mean.
So we have our happy ending and we get some of those warm moments that the rest of the movie lacked.
A little BTW, don't writers of these things understand time zones. Her mother calls from Stockholm while she's at an evening party in Connecticut. That means it is wee hours in Sweden. Another BTW, don't underestimate how big a deal a professorship at Yale is. That is really the Big Show in Lindsay's world.
I am sure this was a good movie. The actors were convincing. Despite the pain, or maybe because of it, I identified with the characters. I just didn't enjoy it despite the ending. -
gehewe1 January 2017This was a great surprise. Excellent job by Lead actress who was also in "Christmas with Holly" a film I barely remembered- but it was good. The lead actor was great in his role. Excited to be in love and this really helped the film. Movie also has Christopher Lloyd and William Shatner in supporting roles- so it has to be high quality. Also it has a fantasy aspect which really adds excitement.
The description does not do the film justice. Yes it is what happened but there is so much more. Through the fantasy she was able to gain perspective and was able to make changes. They paid attention to the little details. A photo with the Dalai-Lama. The scene in the book store where he helps her by asking a question. Well Done. This may be the only first time watched Christmas movie that I give a 10 to this season. -
oddholio2 January 2021I don't think I have ever reviewed a movie before but this just gave me no other choice. Using the premise of "a Christmas Carol" sounds like a good idea, but when 1. the two options are not clearly better or worse than each other 2. not even significantly different from each other and 3.dont lead to the protagonist immediately rushing to "fix her mistake and make the right choice", this movie fails to have any reason to exist.
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bookandcandle22 December 2020I love Eloise Mumford. She is so cute and pretty, but couldn't she act more mature and not giggle, smile, jump and laugh all the time? She would have been perfect if she acted more natural and did not force happiness with constant grinning. Her over-acting just ruined the movie for me. Sorry, it was just too much.