Jack Vasen
From the beginning of this movie, I was on the edge of my seat, and not in a good way. The plot was even more ridiculous and unbelievable than 99% of romantic Christmas movies. Don't get me started on how many impossible things happened.One problem was that there wasn't much romance. The movie was far more about the struggles created by Nikki's fame. And it was barely about Christmas except for some of the songs and the dates it was set in.When I watch a Christmas movie, I want heartwarming moments. I welcome tradition and nostalgia. This movie had none of that. I wouldn't even call the ending that heartwarming.I thought the acting was bad. The kids weren't even cute enough to save the movie. Shannon Elizabeth had so many shots of a fake smile plastered on her face. If there was chemistry between her and Steve Byers, it was squeezed in with an eyedropper because the two of them had very little screen time together that was positive rather than negative. Christopher Jacot managed to add some humor despite the fact that he overplayed his character to the point of cliché.There was quite a bit of singing in this movie, far more than typical in this kind of movie. It ate away screen time that could have been spent on building chemistry between the leads. I'm guessing that Shannon Elizabeth did her own singing, in which case that's one plus for her, but I'm really not sure it was her. I found one site that says it was her.
adoptshelterpetstoday
A great title wasted on a lousy movie! This was like: "Don't judge a book by its cover." (even the DVD cover gives an impression too that one can anticipate it being a wonderful movie pertaining to Christmas.).....It seemed like the story writers had "writers' block," and this was the best they could come up with for the entire plot.......Seems like the casters had some issues too about not being able to caste talented players.....which might have saved it (hardly)........I know what this movie was about, yet I really, really fail to see the point of why it was made. It had nothing captivating...nothing special...nothing worth remembering...the singing was depressing......It was just plain boring.......I also fail to see the relationship to merit being classified as a "Christmas movie."..........Just because a certain situation occurs and is staged around Christmas time, doesn't necessarily make it a Christmas movie. I suppose it was because of having a Christmas tree on the set and the "Christmas" songs, but that didn't save it.
msinnaeve
The movie was a warm and heart felt movie. The fact that children of a single parent care enough about their parents happiness in a true statement in day to day living. We may all want to think differently about that but children sense and know when a parent is missing something and they are also missing things during those times.As for the acting when watching Shannon Elizabeth and Steve Byers they both transmitted their feelings and passion across the screen to where my family could actually feel the pain and joy that they shared.Julia Lalonde may have shown characteristics of an older child but again children can amaze you with their inner thinking.As for Zach Werner I remember him from Canadian Idol and his personality then and now came across the same. Not sure if he has a soft side to his personality but in the part he played he did come across hard as some people in the music industry may be.Overall this movie is one that I would watch over and over and the music in this movie was fantastic.
daviston1017
These days so many movies are filled with sex, foul language, and revenge filled plots. It is refreshing to see a movie directed toward family values.Main characters, Shannon Elizabeth's and Steve Byers' on set chemistry was good and realistic. They give viewers a small glimpse into the downside of being famous.Byers' on screen children played by Julia Lalonde and Kyle Harrison Breitkopf were good little actors in their portrayal of today's youth. Many children are wise beyond their years and flip lip.All and all, I enjoyed it! The only negative parts were, of course, the record producer's acting, which was "really bad" and the ending. It included Byers' going out on stage professing his love, little unrealistic. At a real concert, he would have never made it passed security. The writers should have improved on that scene.Also, I loved the assistant. His facial expressions and comedic antics were to die for!