Kind of sad this is the movie that Ryan Paevey goes out with as apparently he has stepped away from acting.
Can't really put my finger on why I didn't like it more. Someone called the movie clunky and I somewhat agree with that. I feel Hallmark has successfully pulled off multiple storylines in the Sister Swap movies but this with the two romances didn't seem quite as cohesive.
The storyline was okay but definitely very different and not the normal feel good Christmas or Hanukkah movie I'm used to. A bit too secular for my taste.
For the most part the actors were pretty good. The museum director and mom felt a little off but not horribly so. Maybe part of the clunkiness is the early interaction with the museum director. Part of it was the storyline and part of it was the acting. That said, the museum director was fine in the parts for the party for the opening of the display.
As many have pointed out, Andrew Bushell as her brother is great.
I really like Ryan Paevey but don't always feel he's cast in the best movies for his talent or with the best actresses so maybe this is a case of not utilizing his talents with the best script since I felt the chemistry was okay with Jessica Parker Kennedy. I hope she does other Hallmark movies.
What I didn't like about the script was a plot hole. It was sort of like a pothole that kept tripping up the characters. Towards the end of the movie, you know, where Hallmark puts in the drama bit, Ryan's character David is questioning Jessica's character Kat when he overhears her get a job offer in another city.
SCRIPT ISSUES
She acts pleased that she's offered the job. Then to David acts surprised and says I think he's going to offer me a job. Duh, he just did! Also, why would she be so surprised when she knows her BF has told the person about her and he came all the way there to see the display and her? David states, VERY NICELY, he thought she was going back to her old job at NSP and she acts confused and frustrated then says, along with a few other remarks, I'm just figuring that out. Then, referring to an earlier kiss, she asks, with an annoyed expression, Is this because of what happened earlier? Then @ the last scene, before the trade Hallmark kiss, She says that she already knew she wasn't going to take the job. Why didn't she just tell him that in the first place instead of acting all confused and frustrated!? Poor script writing definitely made it feel clunky
PS if you like Ryan Paevey and haven't yet seen A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS, I think it's one of his best movies with Hallmark.
