User reviews

I love Lacey as an actress in these movies. She brings spirit, animation, heart and relatability to these movies. I love Jane Austen as well and had such high hopes for this movie. There was just so little use of the Jane Austen story line used. I realize that this is based on a book that I have not read, but with so much opportunity from the original novel, how could it be ignored. "Unleashing Mr. Darcy" did a great job in using the material with a modern twist. I wanted to see real conflict between the leads. I like the idea of the reversal of the roles, but where was the pride and the prejudice. Darcy's refusal to accept help just did not really get the pride concept across. The Fitzwilliam family could have been more snobby and Darcy could have been more superior in her attitude with Luke. Luke could have had an embarrassing family and could have stood up to Darcy in a way that woke her up. Where were the misunderstandings about each other and then realizing that they were both wrong as they got to know each other. It was all there for the picking. It was an easy, enjoyable movie that had the potential to be great. I know those scripts can happen again and will be excited to see them.

Honestly I really do not know where to begin, but this movie was completely boring, there was absolutely NO chemistry between lead actors - I'm talking Zero! I love LC but this movie was not for her. Through just about the entire movie, she always looked depressed, sad, confused and even bored. Her character fell completely flat. I must mention seeing Mark Weibe in a supporting role was really sad, he was so great in A Very Merry Mix Up with AW... he had all of possibly 5 lines in this movie, there wasn't even any chemistry AT ALL between him and his brother. I'm so sick of the all the fake snow, it's so ridiculous already, cmon Hallmark, why can't you film during a true winter season, why must you make us suffer through all the fake flakes? Even the way they dressed LC was wrong, all wrong... and her makeup - with all the red lip stick was awful. She's absolutely adorable and beautiful but .... NO, her makeup was all wrong. I had such high hopes for this movie because I really love watching LC. I was so bored and so disappointed Mark Weibe didn't have a stronger character and a larger role. It was like they just threw him in there for a few minutes to stand around and do and say nothing, he's so much better than that. I could go on and on... in my opinion, this movie was not good. Sorry Hallmark, you missed the mark on this one.

Despite its title, don't expect much of this Hallmark holiday rom-com to relate to the Jane Austen novel except for a few names.

The star of the film is Lacey Chabert, who practically lives in Hallmarkland, especially when a wedding veil is involved. As usual, her pleasant energy infuses her performance. She plays Darcy Fitzwilliam, a New York City investment counselor who returns home to Ohio for Christmas, where her mother has her helping with a charity auction.

There she runs into an old high school rival---Luke (Brendan Penny)---who used to be on the same debate team. Of course, there is a lurking ex-boyfriend, who is ready to reignite their relationship, if Darcy would only say the word. But Luke is now the owner of a local restaurant, where he seems quite competent. In fact, Darcy's mother hires him to cater the auction event.

Luke is a very smiley guy. Though Darcy has some negative feelings about their interactions in high school, she is easily swayed by his positive personality. In fact, she grows to admire him. Meanwhile, Darcy's sister is dating Luke's brother.

Darcy is a successful businesswoman who seems unfulfilled by her job, so the ending of film should not surprise anyone. But the chemistry between the two leads makes this film a pleasant watch.

Having recently read the book Pride & Prejudice & Mistletoe, I was expecting this movie to be a film version of the book. But other than the names of the characters and Darcy's occupation, the book and movie really had nothing in common.I'm not sure why the plot was changed from the book but it didn't seem to improve the story. I started watching it and just turned it off rather quickly. It was just bad.

Not perhaps the best Hallmark film that Lacey Chabert (easily one of their best stars) has been in, but this remains enjoyable enough viewing.

I saw this last Christmas time, and it's grown on me with second viewing. I liked the chemistry between the leads and the fact the story was more realistic than some I've seen.

Not sure about the whole 'Pride and Prejudice' angle - I think that was rather shoehorned in (but more convincingly than 'Marrying Mr Darcy'), but on the whole I enjoyed this.

These two are adorable! Luke and Darcy are childhood debate partners that had a healthy rivalry in their youth and meet after a long absence. The Sparks still fly as this handsome couple help Darcy's mom put on a charity event which was dumped on her at the last minute. Luke is a great listener and helps Darcy work through her New York work issues. Meanwhile, Luke is a chef who has just purchased his first restaurant and donates his catering to the charity event. The build up is great...there is a fun on-going joke about mistletoe and how can a couple go wrong with "jingle bells" as there song. Cute, cute, cute!

This one was a pretty solid effort which kept my interest. it was somewhat multifaceted with some interesting corporate politics along with the usual city girl v. small town Christmas. I liked the pairing of Lacey Chabert with Brendan Penny. Lacey is a solid actress, and with this one, she seems to have tamed, a bit, her nervous giggle tick that she seems to have developed in later years. I liked her family, especially Sherry, who was one of the stars in one of my favorite Hallmark-like romances, This Matter of Marriage, which was actually produced by Harlequin. It was great to see her again. This one did feature the usual boring boyfriend, but it was refreshing that she really just let him go and didn't hem and haw about it.

Like another Hallmark movie this year, I think it is pretty shameless to try to reel in Jane Austen fans, with the title of the movie, while not incorporating any of the themes in the actual plot or character. It's too bad, because the role reversal of the heroine taking the Darcy role, and the hero taking the Elizabeth Bennett role could have been great. i don't recall that that gimmick has ever been done before. Would have been pretty interesting.

Not clever, not cute, not interesting. I can't imagine why this movie was made. Besides the character names, the plot has zero to do with the oft used (A la Bridget Jones Diary, etc.) Pride and Prejudice plot. The characters have zero chemistry, the plot is just really, really boring, there is no drama, suspense or surprise. This uses every corny & over used plot device ever created - and it doesn't even do them better. It's just God awful, even for a Hallmark movie.

More and more I just don't think these girls are good enough for these guys, that are so perfect it's untrue. Brendan Penny is hot and you just couldn't be so mean to a guy as charming and funny as him, especially with those smiley eyes. This modern 'Independent Woman' thing is getting a bit tired now. I'm all for girl power, but there's strength and there's just being unfriendly. Why can't everyone just be nice regardless of gender and relinquish their issues. It would be nice to see a Christmas romance where both of them are sorted and have no problems with control or past relationships. Just let the love flow man!

I sidetracked a tad there. This film has all of the usual seasonal fun as well as the romantic element. Her brother's cute and even the ex isn't too shabby. There's a loving family too.

I assume that there are comparisons to be made to Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' (No Mistletoe), but I have neither read nor viewed it, so I can't tell. I know there's a Darcy in it, which is the lead's name, but it could be a version of a Barbara Cartland or a Mills & Boon novel for all I know?

Not a terrible story at all and Brendan will just win you over with that lovely choochy face.

Review Date 8/5/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 600 "Christmas Films, & Christmas Television Movies , & Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever produced. Since 2014 I average 100 per year.

Darcy (Chabert) has always worked hard to prove herself and be successful on her own terms, even choosing to start her own company, rather than work with her father. Returning to her hometown for Christmas, Darcy reconnects with an old rival, restaurant owner Luke (Penny), and they are forced to plan a charity event together. As Darcy spends time with her family and Luke, she starts to realize what matters most in life and sets out to mend her relationship with her father, and possibly fall in love.

Nice film. Moves along quickly. Never boring. Well worth watching.

This was a perfectly serviceable Hallmark Christmas movie starring their queen Lacey Chabert. However, honestly, the movie loses a star for sticking the Pride & Prejudice label on it, when it had no business doing so. Aside from the character names ("Darcy Fitzwilliam", lol), the movie had absolutely zero to do with Jane Austen's novel. They would have done better to give her a different last name, title the movie something else and call it a day. If they'd done so, it would've rated a solid 5 stars from me.

The only bizarre detail remains ...the title. Jane Austen novel is missing in this case and the title is only a pretext for a decent romance, with few nice scenes, with expected twist and the decision who, always, remains unrealistic. It is an ordinary Hallmark recipe Christmas film . Not great but far to be bad acting, a nice Fitzwilliam family and a sort of seductive darcy. So, just nice.

Very cute Christmas movie, but it doesn't really have anything to do with Pride and Prejudice. The acting was good and chemistry between all characters was good as well. Darcy's life is almost TOO perfect!

Little story, wooden acting and movie just drags. No chemistry between main characters. You may want to pass on this one.

I love Brendan Penny in Chesapeake Shores, but this was hard to watch. It felt so awkward and unnatural. I didn't feel any chemistry between the main characters.

I love Hallmark movies but they're pumping out new movies at the speed of light. Their plots are all so similar. These movies have become quantity over quality.

A must watch. One of this year's best from Hallmark & one I will watch again & again. Lacey Chabert & Brendan Penny are 2 of my favorites & despite other comments, I think they had great chemistry.

6/10 - one of the most cliché, but always enjoyable Hallmark feature

Saccharine Hallmark movie a bit too simplistic and incredible but watchable for the ending.

The movie was definitely better than the book. In the book Darcy and Luke barely talk to each other. Darcy and Luke had great chemistry and it was a solid Hallmark movie. However, changing the situation in the movie removed any link to Pride & Prejudice so anyone watching it for a P&P rendition will be disappointed.

I look forward to Hallmark and Lacy movies and add in a Pride, Prejudice spin and I couldn't wait... but this was terribly disappointing. Lacy was great but the directing was amateurish. Not up to normal Hallmark standards.