Erica Durance and Robin Dunne has been good in other things, particularly Dunne, even when the film overall is not great. 2019's 'The Christmas Chalet' was proof that the two can work very well together. Lifetime have done many films over the years that have been worth watching, the best of them surprisingly very well done, though they have also done a number of duds. Was a bit ehh overall on their 2021 output, it could have been worse considering the circumstances but few films stood out that.
'The Enchanted Christmas Cake' is no exception to this. It is not one of their worst films from 2021 and Lifetime have certainly done far worse overall, but also not one of the best on both counts. It is certainly tolerable and has good things, but it does not live up to its enchanted name and instead is pretty bland. As far as 2021 Christmas films go from Hallmark, Lifetime, UpTV, ION, GAC Family etc, 'The Enchanted Christmas Cake' is one of the average middling things with enough good things but also a lot of bad.
Am going to begin with the good. Durance and Dunne do engage in the lead roles, with Dunne particularly bringing easy going charm and subtle charisma to his. They work very well together and the chemistry is natural and genuine as well as sweet. The supporting cast are also solid and don't overplay or phone in. There are moments of real charm and heart warmth and the film starts off quite well.
Furthermore, 'The Enchanted Christmas Cake' looks good. Loved the scenery especially, regardless of any authenticity being called into question there is a festive look to it and it looks picturesque. Personally thought the photography, while never extraordinary, complemented it nicely, not overblown while not basic either. The music is a nice enough fit and is pleasant music on its own, it doesn't make as much of a mistake as other Christmas films of being used too constantly or being too loud (something that a number of Hallmark Christmas films are guilty of).
However, 'The Enchanted Christmas Cake' could have been a lot better. The story on the whole could have been a lot more engaging. It has its moments, but the excessive predictability from doing nothing new with very familiar done to death ground does hurt it. Also thought that it dragged quite a lot, from the story being very thin and over-stretched, and the TV programme angle came over as contrived. As does the too convenient final act, with a climactic moment that occurs far too early.
Moreover, the characters do lose likeability. Durance's character is far too naive and indecisive and makes some really frustratingly dumb decisions. The dialogue is often awkward and has too many cheesy and overly sappy lines that induce cringing.
Concluding, one of those tolerable for one time watch but very average at best films. 5/10.
