'12 Wishes for Christmas' (2011)
Opening thoughts: Have seen quite a few films in the past few years with this type of story, which has been familiar territory for most holidays (all holidays not just Christmas) for a while now, and they have varied in success, some are very charming, sweet and engaging while others are too simplistic, dull and silly. '12 Wishes for Christmas' has elements of both extremes, leaning sadly more towards the more negative category though for other reasons. It is not a terrible film and is semi watchable, but it really did have potential to be a cute and charming film, even with some potential cheesiness, but both only come in spurts in '12 Wishes for Christmas'. Which turned out to be rather mediocre despite a few quite major good things, sadly outweighed by numerous big flaws.
Good things: There are good things. Fred Willard and especially Michael Gross give good performances, Gross being in a role that really plays to his strengths that he brings amusement and charm to. Willard relishes his character's meanness without being too one dimensional. The best performance comes from the absolutely adorable dog, who is immensely rootable throughout.
Did also think that the production values were at least professional and easy on the eye.
Bad things; However, a lot is done wrong. Personally found the main character too self-absorbed and selfish, with her wishes not showing much consideration for others. Elisa Donovan does try hard, but it did feel at times like she was trying harder than she needed to and it came over as mannered. The other characters are thinly sketched and are not much better when it comes to lack of likeability, the treatment of the main character at times is too excessively nasty. The only really likeable character is the dog. The music does not fit, with it being more suited to an action thriller-comedy or something, and is too over bearing.
Furthermore, the script never really sounds natural and has too much cheese and schmaltz. There is nothing surprising about the story, it needed a lot more energy and the charm only comes in spurts (shining only properly with the dog). Really didn't care for the dog subplot, which is not just predictable but also not very realistic and quite mean spirited.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, mediocre but with moments.
4/10.
