Christmas by Design

This movie had a very slow start. The leading lady, Charlotte, was WAY too crabby. She was just kind of distant, and only interested in her design work. For instance, she didn't want to go when she was invited somewhere, which prompted one of her family members to say, "So you're going to visit us and just work in your room the whole time?" I'm paraphrasing, since I don't remember the exact line. The man that Charlotte had run into (quite literally; she had an accident -- she hit his car and her front fender fell off), was annoyed, too, and said that she cares more about her job than her family. Then later, he heard her say on the phone that he is "just a mechanic." These movies are getting a little too high schoolish. But it worked out in the end.

Not sure if the main actor is new, but he could use practice. Isn't very good at expressing emotion when talking about his deceased wife. He is pretty cute though. I don't necessarily mean his looks but his demeanor. He's very likable. Both main actors were cute, but they didn't seem to be a spark between them. Maybe there was more so on his side. But she didn't always respond to him very well. She seemed kind of bored by him at times, even towards the end. The actors did a good job with the conversation in the dad's truck. I enjoyed the tense family conversation around the table when they were playing Jenga. Sometimes the drama in these Hallmark movies is just ridiculous. But this seemed more realistic and believable.

This movie had too many loose ends and unfinished plot lines. It left me with more questions than answers. Was the campaign to save Elfcapades successful? Did the mayor (ex-boyfriend) have some ulterior motive such as payback for pulling funding? What was the more important project that prompted the funding switch? For something that was supposed to revolve around fashion design, it was woefully bereft of any fashion. It also dragged along unbearably at times. Some of the acting was very amateurish as well. It was certainly not up to the usual quality of Hallmark. I wish I hadn't wasted my time on this much-hyped but definitely ho-hum movie.

Movie story was actually worth 10 stars BUT the lead male actor Jonathan Keltz was TERRIBLE and we rated him (F). He was a total MISMATCH as a lead male. Make sure you don't use him in 2024. Your Producers and Directors have to do better evaluations of male actors. I had to comment on a web site for Hallmark and Hallmark Mystery channels and we listed a few more that need to be removed in 2024. Joey Heyworth rated (F)-- Torrance Coombs rated (F)--Brendah Fehr- rated (F)-Sam Page rated (D)--Jilan Vanover rated (F)--Chad Murray- rated (C)-Jesse Metcalfe- rated (D)--- Dillion Casey rated (C)--Neal Bledsue rated (C)---