User reviews

Some years ago, I saw the Hallmark movie 'The Irresistible Blueberry Farm', which starred Alison Sweeney. It was brilliant, and today, it is still one of my favorite Hallmark movies. So, when I saw her at the top of the bill, I was looking forward to seeing 'Open by Christmas'. And I was not disappointed. It is what I call a classic Hallmark movie: a warm and heartfelt Christmas story with a good script, superb performances, and a nice Christmas vibe. One of my favorites thus far, though we are only a few weeks into the season. The story centers on Nicky (played by Alison Sweeney) who has come home to celebrate Christmas with her family. To her surprise, her parents are moving on, retiring, and selling their home. As such, they have hired Derrick (played by Brennan Elliott) as their realtor. When Nicky finds an unopened Christmas card while packing, she and her best friend Simone (played by Erica Durance) begin their search for Nicky's high school secret admirer. At the same time, Nicky and Derrick start spending time together, getting her parents' house ready for an open house viewing by Christmas. The movie has a warm and natural flow to it. The dialogue felt authentic as the story explored some human emotions that were engaging and relatable. The writers too did a good job of intertwining the multiple storylines, though, as other reviewers have observed, this did take away from Nicky and Derrick's romance. I enjoyed the touch of mystery in this one, even though I (and everyone else, I suspect) knew who the secret admirer was from the start. The acting overall was wonderful. Sweeney, a Hallmark regular, had a very convincing performance. Elliot too was impressive. The chemistry between the two was pretty good as well, although they could have used a bit more screen time together. The supporting cast was outstanding, especially Durance's performance. Finally, the props, scenery, and sets were beautiful, giving the movie a nice Christmas feel. No meaningless Christmas filler in this one, as another reviewer observed. All in all, it is an enjoyable movie that provides some holiday warmth and a bit of Christmas spirit. Fans of Hallmark Movies and Mysteries will no doubt enjoy.

Despite being very mixed on the 2021 Hallmark Christmas output on the whole (though actually it was much better than expected, speaking as someone who thought that this year would not be good on the Hallmark Christmas front), there were films in the block that were pretty good and more. 'Open by Christmas' had more potential than most of them, due to its interesting story structure (which was a unique one for Hallmark this year) and that Allison Sweeney and Brennan Elliott were the leads.

'Open by Christmas' is one of those films that not only lives up to its potential, but it also exceeds it. To me, it is by some way one of the best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films (and even of the year for Hallmark in general) and the best since 'Christmas in My Heart'. Everything that the film was seen for was far from wasted, quite the opposite, and while it is not my definition of a masterpiece by recent Hallmark Christmas film standards 'Open by Christmas' is pretty darn impressive.

Sure, the identity of the secret admirer was not a surprise at all to me and could have taken more time to reveal.

The ending is slightly on the too neat side and while the romantic chemistry is more than convincing and heartfelt it could have featured more.

However, there is so little to fault. Sweeney and Elliott play their roles with so much nuanced emotions and also light-hearted upbeat energy, two of the best performances of the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films. Erica Durance steals every scene she's in and the supporting cast all play their roles well. This is one of the few 2021 Hallmark Christmas, and overall, films where every character interested and was not hard to care for. Nobody dull or irritating, and Elliott's could easily have been. The script is heart-warming and is never too heavy or too soapy, not repetitive or talky either.

Really liked the story, the structure is different and could have been disjointed and muddled, but it was not hard to follow and it was a case of both plotlines being equally engaging and charming. The Christmassy vibe is nostalgic, while the film has lovely scenery lovingly filmed and has music that has personality without being overbearing. The Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson song was a very nice touch.

Overall, very well done. 8/10.

The reason I think this movie is a bit better is that, although a very familiar story, it didn't follow the formula girl figths with guy, they make up, there's a big fallout due to a misunderstanding, they make up.

The movie offers no real drama and the story is predictable, as in most Hallmark productions. It runs more like an episode of a soap opera, exploring emotions of decent people going through issues among family and friends. Do not expect strong contrasts or villains. This said, the actors are good, show real emotions and all likeable. The story is gentle, Christmas-like, credible and heart-warming. Not an outstanding film, but fair enough.

Is it original no has it been done before yes but this time it's actually done right. First thing I hated the friend that's engaged with the kid she's so annoying why does hallmark have to have these awful characters in there films. The story I found was good and not boring but fun.

6/10 - not necessarily anything that you haven't seen before, but this is a pleasing enough holiday flick (and the Kelly Clarkson/Ariana Grande opening song was a nice touch)

HM is stepping up its game with this really wonderful ensemble Christmas production. There are really two co-stars, Allison and Erica - great jobs by both, but the entire supporting cast made it work. Nice work by everyone made it believable, emotional, and enjoyable. Writers delivered a winner, and the director and cast brought it to life. If you like a fuller, life-like Christmas story, you'll love this one. Postables, you have some company at last.

I'm not going to give anything away about this movie, except to say it flowed so naturally, not contrived. The lines were realistic and very conversational. They portrayed relatable human emotions and feelings and it was also very funny in parts. I loved the dialog. All of the actors were fabulous. I felt like a part of the families watching this movie. Lots of stories in this movie. Enjoy!

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Open For Christmas.

Story: 1.50/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.75/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.50/2

Total 7/10

What would you do if you returned home one Christmas to find a Christmas Card from somebody in high school professing their feelings of love? For me, how this plotline developed slowly sold me on the movie. Nicky's return home for thanksgiving is turned from enjoyment to shock when she learns of her parent's decision to downsize and sell their family home. Deciding to extend her stay until after Christmas, she helps them parcel up. While she's packing up her belongings, she discovers the card. But the writers don't immediately jump us into the search for her unknown love, no life goes on, and we see the friendship between old friends Nicky and Simone rekindle. Simone has her own life, which is in the process of a significant change. But as we progress and the mystery builds in prominence, we learn the card may affect Nicky's forthcoming new life.

The writers do a superb job of slowly building the mystery and the reveal. This intentional inertia allows the writers to develop their characters better, allowing the viewers more opportunities to relate to them. Then, as the mystery unfolds, the twists become a prime driving force, which works wonderfully. However, the movie is too short. The writers could've added more intrigue in a few scenes, as once one critical part gets revealed, the rest simply and swiftly falls into place. This section felt rushed and not as effective. However, the worst comes not from the story but from the casting. Stereotypical casting signposts the letter sender way before the reveal. No sooner have they walked on screen than you know it's them. And that is a waste of a good mystery and a shame for the viewers. But, even so, the story is enjoyable.

The director does a great job with the cinematography and the pacing of the picture, even though, as I said, the reveal feels rushed. He has a good eye for framing and using natural light to enhance the heart-warming atmosphere and light-heartedness of the narrative. And even though he likes soft focus and glow occasionally, it's not too prominent nor too dominant. He uses them sparingly and subtly.

The performers are excellent. How could they not be when you have Alison Sweeney and Erica Durance in the cast(?) And the supporting cast is as skilled as the leads. In fact, I enjoyed a couple of scenes starring Michael Karl Winters as Jeremy better than others. He has some brilliant lines, and his persona as a husband-and-dad-to-be is brilliantly portrayed, especially in the scenes with his stepson-to-be.

I would highly recommend Open By Christmas to all Christmas Romance fans. It's well worth your time. Get your loved one in a cuddle, sup your hot chocolate, and enjoy.

Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.

If it's the card the title is referring to, it was opened by Christmas. I felt that the subplot was the true plot--that of the best friend and her fiance, son and Christmas surprise, and what was supposed to be the main plot, secondary. I felt that Brennan Elliot was hardly in it, and he and Allison Sweeney did lack chemistry. It seems like HM is throwing actors together without testing their chemistry. I'm not sure how they decide casting, but they need to rethink this. That said, not exciting or interesting who wrote the mystery Christmas card. BE played a similar role in A Christmas Melody a few years back--a quiet type whose high school crush as no recollection of him at all in adulthood. I think he's pretty unforgettable and deserves better roles. Watch him in Cedar Cove and you'll see what I mean.

Open By Christmas (2021) -

There seemed to be a lot of back story to this one that I hadn't been privy to, so in many ways it felt like a sequel to something that I'd missed, but I hadn't. This was especially true with regards to the couple that leading lady, Alison Sweeney as Nicky, was best friends with - Simone and Jeremy (Erica Durance & Michael Karl Richards). Although that didn't mean that it was hard to follow.

I wasn't actually very keen on Jeremy, so even if there had been a previous film, I probably wouldn't have watched it to see his romance develop. As it was and fortunately for me, his character was not involved that much, despite the poster for the film, which almost suggested him as a possible love interest for Nicky.

Actually, a storyline where a possible affair between the lead character and her best friends husband would be something new and I'd like to see something like that for a bit more grit and to give the story some real and more believable fallout.

Those things aside, this was definitely one of the better ones in this genre. I could easily see Nicky falling for Brennan Elliott playing Derrick and how there blossoming connection grew in to what I knew it would.

Although I generally like him, I didn't really get along with Brennan in this one though and I didn't really want him to get together with her, because he seemed a bit too cocky. I might have put her together with Reggie (Patrick Rinehart), but used Derrick to let us think that she was going that way instead. Maybe he could have been the one having the affair with Jeremy?

As I've said though, it wasn't a bad effort at all and I would definitely watch it again, although still not perhaps as often as the films starring Brendan Penny, Jesse Hutch, Luke Macfarlane and/or Travis Van Winkle. I felt that it might be time for Brennan to start looking at loving and doting father figures going forward, although he could still find love in those roles too, I suppose?

6.25/10.

I honestly have nothing negative to say about this movie. A great TV movie about friendship, family, Christmas and love. It ticked all the boxes, the acting was great and the movie made you feel warm inside. What's not to love!

A cute movie, all in all. I liked the dual story lines, I enjoyed the performances, and the production values were excellent. The cast all seemed to be enjoying themselves which is a big part of the pleasure of watching any production as far as I'm concerned. I liked the fact that Hallmark continues to acknowledge that gay people exist (since I'm one, it's nice to see). I'm sorry there are other reviewers who wish we would disappear. But that's more about who they than how our culture is evolving and Hallmark is following their audience, just as they've always done.

This is a good movie and worth the time watching. I would add more but it is a cookie cutter Christmas movie by Hallmark and it is well done though obvious. Yes, it helped that Erica Durance was in the cast - I'm still smitten since Smallville.

Not in harmony with almost a decade of traditional family friendly Hallmark movies. Again. So sad. Why do they keep doing this? Don't they know that a significant percentage of their audience doesn't like it?

7.6 stars.

This is surprisingly impactful and with a stellar cast - icing on the cake. The four leads do this movie a ton of justice. So smoothly interpreted onto the screen is this mystery behind a love letter from 22 years past, and the desire, no, the absolute urgency to unravel the writer's identity...

The story is not original in my opinion, and although this general plot has been explored in many movies, the writer put a whole new spin on it. There were so many directions we were sent in that it was a whirlwind of activity. People coming and going, exploring relationships, trying to solve the clues of the identity of the secret admirer, planning the ultimate Christmas gift surprise of a lifetime, and orchestrating the big reveal...

The romance was only a small part of this story, but it fit into it very nicely, albeit not quite the amount I prefer. But it was expertly engineered to go along with the story in a very subtle, yet obvious way.

I was moved to tears several times, which I credit solely to the skills of the actors, like a symphony, it would not have worked without each particular actor performing each of their respective parts to perfection.

Will have to re-watch this every few years for sure. Ingeniously crafted.

Well, I have to say that the cover for this 2021 Hallmark Christmas movie at least didn't have the usual cheesy presentation that most of the Hallmark Christmas movies tend to have. So as I sat down to watch "Open by Christmas" I figured that it might actually transcend the usual Hallmark Christmas cheese.

But I was wrong. Boy, I was wrong.

The storyline written by Amyn Kaderali and Christine Conradt was really cheesy and generic, even for a Christmas movie, nay, even for a Hallmark Christmas movie nonetheless. But hey, if you enjoy these super sappy romantic Christmas movies, then "Open by Christmas" should be something for you. I, however, was hoping for a bit more than the usual Christmas sap and cheese.

The acting in the movie was adequate, but it was just difficult to get submerged into the storyline, and thus the characters felt somewhat bland and generic.

"Open by Christmas" failed to stand out in the midst of the nearly 40 Christmas movies I have sat through this year. So I do believe that come tomorrow, then I will have forgotten about director David Weaver's 2021 movie by the title "Open by Christmas".

My rating of "Open by Christmas" lands on a less than mediocre four out of ten stars.

And would of given a 10 but for the darkness of so many of the sets. Has Hallmark not paid the electric bill? OK lots of Christmas lights but the darkenss really annoyed me. Lighten, brighten up please.