'An Unexpected Christmas' was one of the films of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas block to have the biggest potential. Did like the premise, which was not as formulaic as most of the others and it was an appealing one. It had Bethany Joy Lenz, one of my favourite Hallmark actresses and one of the most consistent in performances and filmography, and Tyler Hynes, also always worth watching even in the misses, in the lead roles. It also had Paul Campbell as script writer.
There were to me a lot of good things about 'An Unexpected Christmas', and luckily the best things were the aspects the film was most seen for and are excellent. It did though have potential, considering what it had going for it, to be one of the best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films and one of their best that year even, but somehow didn't quite make it. Instead, 'An Unexpected Christmas' is somewhere around high middle, its potential for greatness stopped by a couple too many frustrations.
Beginning with the good, there were no issues to be found with Lenz and Hynes who give two of the Christmas block's best performances. Lenz has a very strong, spirited and likeable character and plays her with sparkling comic timing (without going over the top), charm and nuance. Hynes has the more difficult character to play, especially in the latter stages when he became really frustrating (or at least his behaviour did), but he plays him still very well, his usual easy going charm and subtle charisma still evident enough. The two sizzle in their chemistry, in one of the best and most interesting chemistries of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films. Andrew Walker's cameo was nice.
Personally really liked the script on the whole, there was more comedy than is usually seen with Hallmark and it was full of wit and was genuinely funny. Easily the funniest 2021 Hallmark Christmas film. It does manage to balance that with some genuinely heart-warming and heartfelt moments too later on, and contrary to what some have said the diversity was more than welcome and wasn't too in your face or shoehorned. It was great to see Hallmark over the past couple of years address what they were sometimes criticised for in previous years. Enough of the story is charming, light hearted and engaging. It is slickly and attractively made and the music doesn't intrude or feel too much.
Do however agree with the criticisms that 'An Unepected Christmas' has gotten. Did feel that the supporting characters were over-acted and over-zealous in the early stages of the film and there could have been more development to the supporting characters generally. Also echo the criticisms of Jamie's indecisiveness being taken too far to wild extremes, can understand that he was anxious and insecure (being someone who is both those things myself and to disproportionate degrees too) but the way the other characters are treated as a result felt overdone.
It also made the ending very hard to swallow, the ending was far too convenient and for such a strong and intelligent woman it really downsized her character and made her too naive. Also felt that it came over as tacked on when the film could easily have ended before the final decision was made which would have had a more realistic outcome.
Concluding, a lot of good but could have been better. 6/10.
There were to me a lot of good things about 'An Unexpected Christmas', and luckily the best things were the aspects the film was most seen for and are excellent. It did though have potential, considering what it had going for it, to be one of the best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films and one of their best that year even, but somehow didn't quite make it. Instead, 'An Unexpected Christmas' is somewhere around high middle, its potential for greatness stopped by a couple too many frustrations.
Beginning with the good, there were no issues to be found with Lenz and Hynes who give two of the Christmas block's best performances. Lenz has a very strong, spirited and likeable character and plays her with sparkling comic timing (without going over the top), charm and nuance. Hynes has the more difficult character to play, especially in the latter stages when he became really frustrating (or at least his behaviour did), but he plays him still very well, his usual easy going charm and subtle charisma still evident enough. The two sizzle in their chemistry, in one of the best and most interesting chemistries of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films. Andrew Walker's cameo was nice.
Personally really liked the script on the whole, there was more comedy than is usually seen with Hallmark and it was full of wit and was genuinely funny. Easily the funniest 2021 Hallmark Christmas film. It does manage to balance that with some genuinely heart-warming and heartfelt moments too later on, and contrary to what some have said the diversity was more than welcome and wasn't too in your face or shoehorned. It was great to see Hallmark over the past couple of years address what they were sometimes criticised for in previous years. Enough of the story is charming, light hearted and engaging. It is slickly and attractively made and the music doesn't intrude or feel too much.
Do however agree with the criticisms that 'An Unepected Christmas' has gotten. Did feel that the supporting characters were over-acted and over-zealous in the early stages of the film and there could have been more development to the supporting characters generally. Also echo the criticisms of Jamie's indecisiveness being taken too far to wild extremes, can understand that he was anxious and insecure (being someone who is both those things myself and to disproportionate degrees too) but the way the other characters are treated as a result felt overdone.
It also made the ending very hard to swallow, the ending was far too convenient and for such a strong and intelligent woman it really downsized her character and made her too naive. Also felt that it came over as tacked on when the film could easily have ended before the final decision was made which would have had a more realistic outcome.
Concluding, a lot of good but could have been better. 6/10.