18 reviews
Katrina gets fired and dumped just before Christmas so she writes a book attacking Christmas and the book takes off. Trouble is, she still loves Christmas at heart, but can't celebrate it publicly. Hunter gets assigned to write an article about her and the book. They both sign up for a website Christmas Lover's Anonymous. Hence a variation of You've Got Mail. Many similarities follow.
Katrina is spacey. Her book stems from a temper tantrum. She is impulsive. Hunter is not particularly appealing either. There is no chemistry between Brooke Burfitt and Houston Rhines but that is not surprising given that their screen time together comes from random encounters rather than extended time together.
The dialogue is flat. The acting is fair at best. The story is just not that interesting. There are no highs or lows or surprises. The entire feel of this movie is that it lacks the polish.
There is a sequence with both Hunter and Katrina getting ready to meet where both are figuring out what to wear while talking with their closest confidents. It has all the usual. "This one? No. That one." "You like him." "You like her." "No it's just a meeting." The entire sequence was juvenile, flat and not funny.
In the You've Got Mail takeoffs, it annoys me when one of them says "I hoped it would be you." Is it stealing or homage? In this movie, the line is obvious, but slightly different.
Katrina is spacey. Her book stems from a temper tantrum. She is impulsive. Hunter is not particularly appealing either. There is no chemistry between Brooke Burfitt and Houston Rhines but that is not surprising given that their screen time together comes from random encounters rather than extended time together.
The dialogue is flat. The acting is fair at best. The story is just not that interesting. There are no highs or lows or surprises. The entire feel of this movie is that it lacks the polish.
There is a sequence with both Hunter and Katrina getting ready to meet where both are figuring out what to wear while talking with their closest confidents. It has all the usual. "This one? No. That one." "You like him." "You like her." "No it's just a meeting." The entire sequence was juvenile, flat and not funny.
In the You've Got Mail takeoffs, it annoys me when one of them says "I hoped it would be you." Is it stealing or homage? In this movie, the line is obvious, but slightly different.
There was something very weird or off about the way this movie looked and sounded. I kept watching it (off and on) in order to figure it out. It seemed very amateurish and produced on a shoestring . It was like it was done with one camera, almost like a cell phone. It was like they shot the movie and then had it redubbed. There was no or very little background noise except for a faint tinkling melody. There was no action or anyone running around, or interacting with extras. The actors just talked at each other, like they were taking turns reading their lines. During a break, a voice came on that essentially thanked viewers for leaving Hallmark and "coming home" to GFam. Desperate and divisive. Like an us versus them mentality. Not exactly Christian or in the spirit of Christmas. But an attitude I guess I would expect by those who are the money behind this network. I'm going to rate it but am giving them the benefit of the doubt since I didn't see the whole thing. Basically another weak version of the "you've got mail" plot.
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- rebekahrox
- Dec 25, 2022
- Permalink
This movie was horrible! I couldn't even make it to the point where the two leads actually meet each other. The quality of acting from the "supporting actors" was absolutely atrocious! I had to keep pausing because after I was completely shocked by the obvious stage fright of these people, I would burst out laughing!
Also not sure why GAC is so heavily promoting this movie as a new film when it came out last year! Unless they edited it, swapped out some of the actors for ones that can actually act, then I don't see the point in essentially re-releasing a film that already isn't worth being shown twice!
Also not sure why GAC is so heavily promoting this movie as a new film when it came out last year! Unless they edited it, swapped out some of the actors for ones that can actually act, then I don't see the point in essentially re-releasing a film that already isn't worth being shown twice!
- dahotnessk
- Oct 29, 2022
- Permalink
This movie is probably the worst Christmas movie I have ever watched, and I watch them all on Hallmark, Lifetime and Great American Family who provided this movie!!
The story premise wasn't the problem, although it could have been fine tuned, but the acting was like a community theater group, not actors appearing in a made for tv Christmas movie. I knew it was bad in the first five minutes but I watched the entire movie hoping it would get better. I imagine the seasoned actors that Great American Family acquired from Hallmark cringed when they watched this movie, if they even watched it. I believe a movie this bad makes me question their credibility working for a network that creates a movie like this!
The story premise wasn't the problem, although it could have been fine tuned, but the acting was like a community theater group, not actors appearing in a made for tv Christmas movie. I knew it was bad in the first five minutes but I watched the entire movie hoping it would get better. I imagine the seasoned actors that Great American Family acquired from Hallmark cringed when they watched this movie, if they even watched it. I believe a movie this bad makes me question their credibility working for a network that creates a movie like this!
- relyea-78077
- Nov 5, 2022
- Permalink
- deskisamess
- Nov 1, 2022
- Permalink
There really isn't anything of quality that I can say about this movie. The acting is amateurish, the story is weak, the character development is down right non existent, and the fact that the same person wrote, directed and acted in the movie probably means they couldn't get anyone else to do it. The lead actress acts like she is in elementary school not an adult and book author. I'm guessing with the limited budgets that these movies have is the only reason it got released in the first place. If this is what Great American Family channel is going to dole out to us, I'll stick to the Hallmark channel.
- ranels-71802
- Nov 8, 2022
- Permalink
The story was awesome just the lighting and acting seemed like a movie from the 70's seems like they were trying to hard to say their lines like reading cue cards . Not a great movie. This movie could have been way better . I know the actors took cues from directors and producers so they need to check their skills. I hope they try to get this better . I'm not a expert however I watch lots of movies. I love GAC this needs to get better before people stop watching this channel . I pray it gets better and they learn from their mistakes . Thanks GAC fir all you do . I will keep watching and waiting .
As an avid watcher of Christmas movies I can confidently say I had a mole removed last year and that was more fun than watching this movie. The casting looked as though the director walked into a Golden Corral and picked the first people he saw. The dialogue had the intelligence of a third grader, and yet the actors somehow still struggled to deliver their lines. However, I gave it two stars because the movie was relatively short, putting us out of our misery in a timely manner. When I was a child, I had two pet fish. One tried to attack and kill the other. Those fish had more chemistry than these two main characters. Overall, say no to this show show show.
Watch this with your partner and you will reference it for years to come. Where others complain of a lack of acting prowess or inconsistency, I find charm and humor. Go into this movie with a smile on your face and you will leave with an even bigger one. Watching this movie, versus a high-budget A-list Christmas movie is the difference between buying Christmas gifts from the nice grandma at your local antique store versus buying consumerist junk at your country-wide, soulless department store. It may not be what they want, but it's what you want them to have, and they will love it. Just say "yes" to Christmas Lovers Anonymous.
I did not like this movie. I think what killed it for me was the voice of the lead female. Honestly, the sound of her voice was repulsive to me and that took me on the downward spiral of not liking it. I forced myself to keep watching but by the end, I was distracted and relieved that it was over.
The main storyline could have been better developed and it could use more side stories to make the movie more interesting. I am not sure what the director and producer could have done to enhance the movie. But this movie definitely could use enhancements. Surprised that this made the GA Family line up and supposedly scored high in the GA Family countdown for thier best movies this season...
The main storyline could have been better developed and it could use more side stories to make the movie more interesting. I am not sure what the director and producer could have done to enhance the movie. But this movie definitely could use enhancements. Surprised that this made the GA Family line up and supposedly scored high in the GA Family countdown for thier best movies this season...
- skillfulcota
- Dec 29, 2022
- Permalink
I actually enjoy the Hallmark quality movies but this one is "porno acting" quality. I don't get the sense the actors knew who their characters were while filming and constantly kept trying to change the way they talk. Save yourself the trouble and watch an ACTUAL Hallmark movie.
I watched about 20 minutes and I had to stop. The acting was ATROCIOUS. I can't emphasize this enough. I was curious about GAFC since they managed to poach so many Hallmark stars so I decided to turn to the channel & see what kind of movies they were churning out. This movie was on & I was shocked. How anyone that participated in this movie could've possibly thought this was even worth making is absolutely beyond me. I find it hard to believe any professionals in the field thought it was acceptable. It's almost enough to turn me off from the channel but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and give a few more of their movies a shot but if they're anything like Christmas Lovers Anonymous, my expectations are incredibly low. Personally, I feel as if Hallmark movies have gotten more inclusive, funnier, & more original this year. If GAFC is going to compete, they must've realized they needed better talents. Save yourself the time & avoid this movie.
- angelbaby3838
- Dec 30, 2022
- Permalink
It was an immediate turn-off for me that the main character explained how she would give Twelve Gifts of Christmas starting on December 12. This apparently is just another movie written with the misconception that the Twelve Days of Christmas are the twelve days leading up to Christmas Day. For those who don't know : the famous Twelve Days of Christmas start ON CHRISTMAS DAY & GO UNTIL JANUARY 6, the day that the three wise men arrived to give their gifts to the baby Jesus. There are two different ways of counting those days : some people start countng on December 25 and end on January 5, other people start counting on the day after Christmas Day (December 26) and end on January 6, the Day of Epiphany, also known in some parts of the world as Three Kings Day.
The woman who played the sister is hilarious and super charming. The movie is a low budget Christmas indie. Sentimental, but that goes with the territory. The filmmakers know their audience.
- bryandeguire
- Dec 4, 2021
- Permalink
If you like a movie with thoughtful dialog, real people and up and coming actors this is it... If you're stuck on the Christmas classics and expect this movie to be fast, funny, family movie and entertaining by the second, I guess it won't be for you.
It is a nice pace and a romantic experience that will pull you in and give you great joy... There could be twists in it too...
It is a nice pace and a romantic experience that will pull you in and give you great joy... There could be twists in it too...
Honestly, I was in doubt whether to watch Christmas Lovers Anonymous or not because of some negative reviews I've read, but I thought why not to try and see myself and I'm so happy I gave it a chance. It turned out to be such a sweet and heartfelt story. I liked the characters, I liked that they were real, not perfect but willing to admit their mistakes. There were some touching moments, some funny and awkward. I liked the festive and winter (with real snow) setting. And finally I liked the message of the movie.
So it's up to you to decide whether to watch this movie or not. But maybe just give it a try and see how it goes for you. Who knows maybe in the end you will have the same feelings as I had.
So it's up to you to decide whether to watch this movie or not. But maybe just give it a try and see how it goes for you. Who knows maybe in the end you will have the same feelings as I had.
- oksankadrobakha
- Nov 4, 2022
- Permalink
*The storyline was very plausible. In this day of social media at the speed of light these days. Set in a small market outlet region, this story came as a nice way for two professionals to meet.
Sisters and Houston's little family were felt real and warml and for once kind!
Big budget movies are now crass, loud and full of obnoxious mean humor that models gotcha moments, why? No wonder people are afraid for the next bomb in families. Since big-city critics are SO used to big budget glitz with their yawn worthy small mindness.
*Liked the Sister, the Stars and this movie was shot well. Pace of the movie kept the cliffhangers coming till after the commercial breaks.
Whole cast and crew made this Christmas Lovers Anonymous very satisfying.
Love watching GAC Family developments. Well done.
Sisters and Houston's little family were felt real and warml and for once kind!
Big budget movies are now crass, loud and full of obnoxious mean humor that models gotcha moments, why? No wonder people are afraid for the next bomb in families. Since big-city critics are SO used to big budget glitz with their yawn worthy small mindness.
*Liked the Sister, the Stars and this movie was shot well. Pace of the movie kept the cliffhangers coming till after the commercial breaks.
Whole cast and crew made this Christmas Lovers Anonymous very satisfying.
Love watching GAC Family developments. Well done.
- baronessfc-95507
- Jan 8, 2023
- Permalink
I enjoyed this one and loved the story! It was enjoyable to watch and this movie definitely got me in the spirit for Christmas, but it also made me think about what's most important about Christmas and that I should not worry too much about all the stuff that we feel we have to do for the holidays. The message of this movie was great. The actors seemed fine to me and I always love a good romance. I also loved the cute scenes between the leads when they were talking to each other online and I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will just say that the whole story was fun and had a nice slight twist. These films are usually going to have a happy ending, but don't we all love that? I do.
- Elizabeth-2488
- Oct 19, 2022
- Permalink