A Christmas Kiss (2011)

Captivating movie !

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

"A Christmas Kiss" is a comedy-romance that can lay a legitimate claim to being a Christmas movie. It's all about and around Christmas. It has a stage performance of "The Nutcracker" in production. The heroine and her Scrooge of a boss are designing a Christmas theme party from Dickens's "A Christmas Carol." The plot is about Christmases past and present, and the streets of Boston are alive with Christmas carolers, tree lots and decorations. Of course, the film wasn't shot in Boston but in Richmond, Virginia. This film probably appeals mostly to young females. The three roommates in the film hardly look to be much beyond their teens, and the film is somewhat sappy in the girls' romantic ruminations. But, the story has just enough interest, and Laura Breckenridge does a superb job acting and carrying the life of the film. Her Wendy Walton is very likeable. One other standout in the film is Elisabeth Röhm who plays the villain. She is Wendy's boss, Priscilla Hall. She is a thoroughly unlikable witch. In her earliest scenes her makeup has her with high pointed eyebrows that clearly are meant to give the impression of a witch. The movie has some oddities. Wendy and Adam Hughes (played by Brendan Fehr) share feelings about traditional Christmases, yet when they are riding in a horse-drawn carriage the background music is a slow, jazzy rendition of "Jingle Bells." That struck me as weird. The music didn't seem to fit in a number of places. Still, for Breckenridge's performance and all of the cast who gave it their all, this is an OK Christmas romance.

I remember seeing this movie at least twice last year late in the evening on ION television. I really enjoyed it. Good production values and acting by all was in the spirit. Even the extras seem to be having fun. Director John Stimpson came through with professional blocking and just right touch that enhances the Christmas Theme. The movie stays within its limits and does not go off on tangents to try to reinvent itself and become more than the original intent, which often happens with seasonal-themed story lines. Laura Breckenridge was just right in casting, although at first I thought she was a little young for "the Handsome Stranger played by Brenden Fehr. Also good to see movies, like this one, that the young ones can watch without worrying or cringing what may happen next. Don't know if it will be on any local television stations in the east U.S. coast, but see that it is out on DVD. Good stocking stuffer!

"A Christmas Kiss" is a holiday variation on the worst kind of chick flicks. It should never, could never, will never become a holiday classic, and deservedly so. BTW, let me just state up front I am a woman who normally loves chick flicks. In this case, however... Yuck.The story is trite & predictable, with plot "twists" you can see coming a mile off, and characters as clichéd as some starry-eyed teen would dream up: unlucky-in-love aspiring career girl; her boss, a manipulative, social-climbing, lying, witch-with-a-B; & the sweet, clueless, gazillionaire hunk - who should have 'DOORMAT' tattooed on his forehead, btw - they both want. Since it has the emotional depth of tissue paper, the acting skills of the attractive cast have limited opportunity for display and can therefore only be called competent at best; in some moments, they're downright cringe-worthy. Although, admittedly, that may be due to the gawd-awful script. All of which is sad, but to me the worst part was the 2 hours I wasted thinking it would get better; had to get better; would have an emotional payoff that justified making it. Nope. It just sort of stops, and exactly the way you knew it would after seeing the first 10 minutes. So if you come across this one, do yourself a favor: keep going!

Well that time of year again. Had been looking for a new Christmas movie to watch.This is a new movie 2011.Really enjoyed this movie, a lovely light Christmas film. will be buying this for my own collection. Enjoyed watching Brendan Fehr again He was in Roswell. All grown up now. You may recognize the other actors from TV series also. Elisabeth Rohm plays a great part also. You'll know her as Kate from the TV series Angel.From the beginning it takes you in and you care for what happens to the characters. It moves along well and keeps you interested.I may be a bit sentimental but this film makes you feel the magic of Christmas and all the possibilities that go with it. So for all those romantics get out the popcorn and enjoy.....