17 reviews
None of Lifetime's Christmas films are perfect, though one should never expect them to be. Their Christmas output falls into three main categories. One is the surprisingly good category, which is on the same level and sometimes better than Hallmark's more prolific festive offerings. Two is the mediocre at best category, which is often quite a bit better than the worst of Hallmark. Three is somewhere in between of average and pretty good.
'Grounded for Christmas' was for me in the surprisingly good category when it came to their Christmas films. Is it a classic? No, and there are better Christmas films out there. There are also a lot worse and there are a lot of good things here. 'Grounded for Christmas' serves its purpose of being a film that is a relaxing way of spending a quiet December afternoon, one that didn't ever offend me and one to not demand too much from. Really liked that it wasn't as predictable as other Lifetime Christmas offerings and had a couple of attempts of being different.
Sure, 'Grounded for Christmas' isn't perfect. Not all the supporting characters are particularly well acted, the ex-boyfriend (a one-dimensional character and excessively jerk-ish) was badly overplayed especially in my view.
Maybe it could have taken a little less time to get going, it's a slight drag in the early stages. Not many surprises in the story either, which tends to plan out more or less what one expects watching a Lifetime/Hallmark etc. Christmas film that has a lot of similar elements to each other.
The story though is also very charming and heart-warming. Once the film got going the pace was efficient enough and it doesn't feel padded or repetitive. The dialogue flows well and avoids being too sentimental or cheesy, things that some Christmas films can be (am a fan of Christmas and of festive films just to say before anybody gets the wrong idea reading that). The two leads have a sweet chemistry that sparkles and helps give 'Grounded for Christmas' its heart.
Corey Sevier and Julianna Guill are both very appealing as characters not difficult to root for, both seem like they know what's they're doing, they never look stiff and they don't over-compensate. Even if the locations aren't authentic they still look lovely and they are lovingly captured by the photography. The setting was a refreshing one as was the basic premise, and the film even attempts not too badly a twist near the end that didn't feel shoe-horned in or implausible. The music is pleasant.
In summary, not great but good. 7/10
'Grounded for Christmas' was for me in the surprisingly good category when it came to their Christmas films. Is it a classic? No, and there are better Christmas films out there. There are also a lot worse and there are a lot of good things here. 'Grounded for Christmas' serves its purpose of being a film that is a relaxing way of spending a quiet December afternoon, one that didn't ever offend me and one to not demand too much from. Really liked that it wasn't as predictable as other Lifetime Christmas offerings and had a couple of attempts of being different.
Sure, 'Grounded for Christmas' isn't perfect. Not all the supporting characters are particularly well acted, the ex-boyfriend (a one-dimensional character and excessively jerk-ish) was badly overplayed especially in my view.
Maybe it could have taken a little less time to get going, it's a slight drag in the early stages. Not many surprises in the story either, which tends to plan out more or less what one expects watching a Lifetime/Hallmark etc. Christmas film that has a lot of similar elements to each other.
The story though is also very charming and heart-warming. Once the film got going the pace was efficient enough and it doesn't feel padded or repetitive. The dialogue flows well and avoids being too sentimental or cheesy, things that some Christmas films can be (am a fan of Christmas and of festive films just to say before anybody gets the wrong idea reading that). The two leads have a sweet chemistry that sparkles and helps give 'Grounded for Christmas' its heart.
Corey Sevier and Julianna Guill are both very appealing as characters not difficult to root for, both seem like they know what's they're doing, they never look stiff and they don't over-compensate. Even if the locations aren't authentic they still look lovely and they are lovingly captured by the photography. The setting was a refreshing one as was the basic premise, and the film even attempts not too badly a twist near the end that didn't feel shoe-horned in or implausible. The music is pleasant.
In summary, not great but good. 7/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 3, 2020
- Permalink
First off its not a "holiday" movie its a Christmas movie. Get over it if that offends you. Secondly, RELAX people, its a CHRISTMAS MOVIE. On LIFETIME. Its cute, nothing heavy, so if you actually are able to just enjoy things, you'll probably enjoy this movie. Better than I expected, good romantic story. Enjoy.
- mikenewelllsu
- Dec 25, 2019
- Permalink
The ex ostensibly forces them together into the charade, but he never seemed like a realistic possibility. The actor overplayed his lameness a little. Actually, most of the acting was less than stellar especially in embarrassing confrontations. The exception was Julianna Guill and Corey Sevier together. The antagonism turning to romance seemed real, albeit rushed.
There is more of a twist near the end than I've seen in a Christmas movie in a while. Caught me totally by surprise. The implications disturbed me a little at first and lowered my respect for one of the leads.
There is more of a twist near the end than I've seen in a Christmas movie in a while. Caught me totally by surprise. The implications disturbed me a little at first and lowered my respect for one of the leads.
Nothing to expect about a Christmas film but being charming. And this is it. First, forCorrey Sevier. Second, for the story itself, for humor, ingenuity and complications. And, sure, for the atmosphere. Two colegues. A problem in routinethey becoming a sort of couple. And a predictable frame. And, not the last, rrasonable game with cliches. So, just charming.
- Kirpianuscus
- Mar 5, 2021
- Permalink
This romantic comedy sees pilot Brady (Corey Sevier) and co-pilot Nina (Julianna Guill), strangers before they are assigned to the same flight, having to share a Christmas holiday together while their flight is grounded due to bad weather. Good performances and nice chemistry between the leads makes for an enjoyable film despite the budgetary shortcomings of the production.
- glanners-70803
- Jan 1, 2021
- Permalink
Has the screenwriter ever actually flown?
The wardrobe errors have been mentioned but has anyone ever been offered a hotel voucher for weather-related delays?
I'm used to substitute locations - heck the Arkansas state capital was a stand in for DC and the Little Rock airport was passed off a Boston's Logan in a Chuck Norris movie - but the obvious lack of attention to simple details is sad.
The wardrobe errors have been mentioned but has anyone ever been offered a hotel voucher for weather-related delays?
I'm used to substitute locations - heck the Arkansas state capital was a stand in for DC and the Little Rock airport was passed off a Boston's Logan in a Chuck Norris movie - but the obvious lack of attention to simple details is sad.
This is not a failure as a christmas movie but when it comes to the storyline
of faking a relationship for family and friends it is not the best one .
The acting from the 2 lovebirds is decent but you feel that there is no chemistry between them .
As a christmas movie it is ok , love to see Cheryl ladd again acting , as a romantic movie it is sadly not very convincing .
- petersjoelen
- Jan 9, 2021
- Permalink
I mean it was a super cheesey holiday movie which I love, but come on, that was not Cleveland! They showed mountains for Pete's sake! And this so called blizzard that closed highways and the airport for days, barely covered their boots... cute concept, try harder to make it realistic a little
- jamieanderson-89544
- Dec 11, 2019
- Permalink
There is an easy on screen connection between the two leads. Corey Sevier and Julianna Guill are quite a likeable couple as the pilots grounded during the holidays. Since this is Lifetime, the couple have a different profession from the usual Hallmark type Christmas movie. If you ever wondered what happened to pilots during the holidays well It is fairly interesting and not a typical Christmas movie. The dialog is a bit more spontaneous too. Like Cheryl Ladd as mom.
- phd_travel
- Dec 10, 2019
- Permalink
- OddlesOfNoodles
- Nov 16, 2020
- Permalink
Of all the this years Lifetime movies this one lacked charisma and connection between characters.
This was ridiculously adorable. I didn't know what to expect and I was surprised. It's a nice movie to enjoy during the holidays.
First, there was good chemistry between the actors. Secondly, it is not the same type of plot Hallmark has, so it's a different pace. It was nicely done. Good dialogue. Believable chemistry between the rest of the cast. I was even willing to let go of the overused plot of the fake boyfriend, that's how much I like it.
I work in aviation ok? So, there was things that had me rolling my eyes, it's simply not that easy, (like why did Nina had two stripes on her jacket, when she is supposed to have three like on her shirt, same with Brady) but I was willing to let that go. Also, i'm here for representation of women in the aviation industry. Hallmark gave us a pilot, now Lifetime is giving us one, so thank you.
Give this a try. I'll probably watch again someday.
First, there was good chemistry between the actors. Secondly, it is not the same type of plot Hallmark has, so it's a different pace. It was nicely done. Good dialogue. Believable chemistry between the rest of the cast. I was even willing to let go of the overused plot of the fake boyfriend, that's how much I like it.
I work in aviation ok? So, there was things that had me rolling my eyes, it's simply not that easy, (like why did Nina had two stripes on her jacket, when she is supposed to have three like on her shirt, same with Brady) but I was willing to let that go. Also, i'm here for representation of women in the aviation industry. Hallmark gave us a pilot, now Lifetime is giving us one, so thank you.
Give this a try. I'll probably watch again someday.
The story is meh at best. There hadn't been a moment along the entire movie I wouldn't have been able to stop watching.
But wow, there actors are untalented! The main actors are kinda ok, but have zero chemistry, the rest of the cast is plastic and annoying.
- renibilibok
- Dec 17, 2020
- Permalink
I really liked this movie. The lead characters had great chemistry, and I thought Julianne Guill played her part perfectly. I think perhaps Lifetime is trying to do more realistic Christmas movies than Hallmark. Nina is a commercial airline pilot who has had to struggle to be accepted in her industry (she's not a bookstore or bakeshop owner, thank goodness). She meets Brady, a fellow pilot recently joining her airline, who admits that rumors have unfairly painted him as a player, and he hates it. Even Nina realizes that she is pre-judging him without even knowing him. You can always find some leaps of faith, so to speak, in these Christmas romance movies, such as the airport being closed for several days. And the fake boyfriend ruse has been probably overused in romance movies, but it's still a popular premise (even in books), and I thought it was handled well. So many Christmas romance movies are goofy (lead males named Nick drive me nuts and the town having a Santa character who magically intervenes), and kudos to this movie for avoiding some of that typical sap. I enjoyed getting to know Nina and Brady. I even thought a sequel (never done in these romance movies, it seems) would be interesting.
- jfsc-04207
- Jan 12, 2020
- Permalink
One of my favorite romantic plot devices is the bringing a fake boyfriend home for what ever reason. This one did a great job thanks mostly to the great chemistry between the two likable leads. Cheryl Ladd as the warm and loving mom was a welcome addition. I have seen her also play a cold ruthless boss this Christmas movie season. She was equally believable in both roles. So that must mean she is a very good actress. And she still looks beautiful. The ex-boyfriend was really creepy, by the way. It was hard to swallow how Nina could ever had had her heart broken by him. Very cute and romantic ending
- rebekahrox
- Nov 14, 2020
- Permalink
- allmoviesfan
- Dec 3, 2022
- Permalink