Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Designing Christmas.
Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.75/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2
Total 6.50/10
If I were being honest, which I always am, I'd say this movie doesn't deserve the six-and-a-half out of ten ratings. In my heart, it felt more like a five. However, when I came to scoring in the divisions, well, I was surprised. There are a few reasons for my astonishment - The main one is the story.
Though the narrative is solid and well thought out, the characterisations are strange. I loved the dynamic decorating duo being thrust together in a last-ditch attempt to save their flagging show. The concept of forcing the female lead of the programme to reluctantly "Do-Over" her newly bought property and then hold her wedding there was inspired. Sadly, it falls apart as you realise her engagement is orientated more to business than love, especially where her fiance is concerned. This twist could've been utilised better, making for a stronger film. But the relationship between the couple, Stella and Jack never quite amount to romanticness for the viewer. They appear to be a couple of wet fish. In Jack's case, I'd have to say an effervescent wet fish. And that's just the start of the relationship problems. Stella and her Co-Star Pablo, who you know will be the love interest, have zero chemistry. When they appear on camera for their show, they have the standardised sarcastic needle-joke banter - one says something to needle the other, while the other replies with a joke - and this follows the pair off-screen. And while amusing to watch, it's not heart-warming nor romantic. And there's the problem: A romance without romance. Granted, a lot of actual relationships don't possess too much romance, even in the beginning. However, the characters are too light and carefree to be realistic, and this juxtaposition made the story less believable for me. Either make it romanticised or realistic. But the mixing of the two doesn't work in Designing Christmas.
Luckily for the audience, the director is on point and makes up for most of the story's flaws. There's a superb lightness to the scenes: And they capture a pleasant heart-warming atmosphere throughout. He includes some decent compositions, whilst his use of lighting is subtle, yet near-perfect. The direction, unlike the script, is practically flawless.
The cast is excellent. I have seen Marco Grazzini in a few movies, and he never fails to entertain and deliver the goods. He was lucky enough for Jessica Szohr to play Stella opposite his Pablo. Szohr surprised me. I had read a couple of reviews that said she was too harsh looking, and though she is certainly that with her chiselled features, she possesses a softness and beauty that breaks through whenever she smiles. But it's her acting skills I'm interested in, and I'm pleased to say that Szohr entertained me superbly, being as robust and as talented as her co-star. It's a shame the chemistry wasn't there, and the writer couldn't make their pairing more believable. The one person in the cast who could've dialled down their performance a notch or two was Mykee Selkin as Jack. Overall, he's okay in his role. However, there are a few places where you think he shouldn't have had the three expressos before his scene as he gets a tad Hammy the Squirrel from "Over The Hedge".
In the end, Designing Christmas is a good story idea constructed poorly, which is superbly filmed and well-enacted. Should there be very little on, I suggest Designing Christmas would be a good one-watch movie to fill your time. Though, I don't recommend missing anything else to watch this one - unless it's a DC Comics Movie.
Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.
Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.
