Release Date: Dec. 18, 2021, 10/9c
Movie: Christmas For Keeps
Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Starring Christa B. Allen, Ryan Rottman, Ashley Newbrough, Marielle Scott and Cardi Wong.
Synopsis:
At Christmastime, a close-knit group of childhood friends return home after 10 years to take part in the celebration of life of their beloved high school teacher.
Rating: ⭐⭐1.2
Review:
So Christmas For Keeps was the last 2021 Miracles of Christmas movie from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. Yikes. They did not save the best for last. With a stellar M&M movie season this one fell way flat IMO.
The premise is good. Five childhood friends who return home to take part in a celebration of life for a high school teacher that they all were impacted by in their lives. Each one has unique challenges in their own life that they need to face and move forward from during the course of the week where they are tasked in helping with the celebration of life.
So first of all this movie was not memorable for me at all. I watched it 3 days ago and have already forgot about most of it. The movie didn't made an impact. I found it was really boring and the characters lacked any real connection together. These 5 were supposed to be best friends and I found their relationship awkward, cold and just not there. I understand that they each had issues in their lives or with each other, but honestly it didn't do it for me.
Outside of Cardi Wong, I didn't feel any real connection to any character. Wong was pleasant, solid and the only good thing to come out of this movie. He had personality, and he showed his emotion well with his struggle of supporting his wife's dreams while putting his own on hold to care for their children. I really liked him and it was so nice to see him playing more of a lead role instead of the side characters he usually plays in Hallmark movies.
There was a side romance however I didn't think it was needed in the movie. The plot was about people coming back to celebrate a teacher and there really didn't need to be anything more than that. I think focus was taken away from the movie with the secondary plot of two friends rekindling a love that once was. It didn't feel genuine and was honestly rushed at the end. It was almost like it was an after thought and thrown in the movie late in the game.
As for the whole reason they got together? I couldn't help but think numerous time..why are these 5 so prominent in this teachers memorial? I'm sure the guy taught hundreds of children but only these five were so special to him that they had to play such a role in the memorial? I found that to be a bit ridiculous and was something I just couldn't get my head around and it bothered me numerous times through the movie.
This one was a hard one to watch and was unfortunately the last movie I watched this season which left me wanting more. Honestly you can pass on this one. It really isn't good.
Did you watch this movie? Tell me your thoughts in the comments.
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