This Hallmark movie is above average. The ending could have been better considering the whole movie had great momentum. Still worth watching because the two lead characters had chemistry. This movie held my interest. I'm sure they'll be people who won't like this movie but for women who like Hallmark it's a good one.
32 Reviews
Corny title, cute movie.
MIssM1930 October 2019
Abby is a designer who hasn't designed in a while and Nick is a business man who needs a decorator. His mother suggests Abby for the job, and she gets it. Now, all Abby needs is Nick's help: to know what he likes, what he doesn't, what budget she has to work with, etc. And you know who this thing goes, this ice-cold successful man starts spending time with the cheery female lead and turns his world upside down.
I liked it. Jill Wagner is becoming one of my favorite Hallmark ladies, she shines in every movie. I wasn't sure about watching this at first because the title sounded SO corny but I'm glad I did. The child is adorable. I wasn't convinced at first by Matthew but he grew on me by the end. Chemistry? Yes. Not the best in my opinion, but Jill somehow always makes it work.
The plot made sense. Not major plot holes to complain about. There were cute scenes between the leads, not maybe as much as I'd like it to...
Anyway (I'm writing this in a rush, honestly) watch it. Jill Wagner is great. Maybe not THE Christmas movie of the year, but definitely worth it.
I liked it. Jill Wagner is becoming one of my favorite Hallmark ladies, she shines in every movie. I wasn't sure about watching this at first because the title sounded SO corny but I'm glad I did. The child is adorable. I wasn't convinced at first by Matthew but he grew on me by the end. Chemistry? Yes. Not the best in my opinion, but Jill somehow always makes it work.
The plot made sense. Not major plot holes to complain about. There were cute scenes between the leads, not maybe as much as I'd like it to...
Anyway (I'm writing this in a rush, honestly) watch it. Jill Wagner is great. Maybe not THE Christmas movie of the year, but definitely worth it.
Charm under the mistletoe
TheLittleSongbird23 February 2021
There has never been any bias for or against Hallmark Christmas films. Actually think there are a mix of good, bad (and worse in some cases) and somewhere between mediocre and decent, so it's a variable output really. One just needs to know what to expect and not to expect too much. Have always appreciated romantic dramas with touches of comedy, so yeah 'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' was hardly one of those doomed from the start sort of films. Also Jill Wagner is always watchable
'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' mostly lived up to and exceeded mixed expectations, as it could have gone either way of being charming and cute or being sickly sweet and cheesy. And it manages on the most part to be the former. Despite what the corny and somewhat sugary title suggests. A good lesson in not judging a film by its title, advertising or any previous exposure to Hallmark Christmas films whether positive or negative. As far as Hallmark Christmas films go, generally 'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' is around solid middle, uneven but decent.
Will start with the not so good. The predictability of the story does get excessive in spots, especially in the final third, and parts early on are on the forced side. Hallmark is no stranger to over-obvious and too hastily and neatly wrapped up endings, and 'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' is another one of those films.
Some of the dialogue is not so great early on, could have done with more spark but also more subtlety. It did take me a while to warm to Matthew Davis, his type of character is not an easy one to pull off as there is real potential to be dull and unlikeable in an uptight role and Davis did start out that way. Some of the music is intrusive, though other Hallmark films did this aspect a lot worse.
However, Wagner is a sheer charming delight, she always gives her all while not overacting and she never looks bored. Once Nick softens and becomes easier to warm to, Davis is a lot more relaxed and becomes more appealing. His chemistry with Wagner was unsure to begin with and didn't seem connected, but as the relationship did develop (and realistically) it became more natural and warmer. Donna Mills is an amusing and kindly scene stealer and the child is cute but not too much so.
It looks good, with some never drab or garish photography, editing that doesn't look sloppy and appropriately festive locations. While the music didn't have me completely sold in terms of balance, tonally it fitted at least and doesn't over-emphasise too much the mood. The script did get better later on and was sincere and not cheesy. Despite the story not being perfect, it is light on its feet and has a warm heart without being mawkish or sugary sweet. Tonally it clearly knew what it was trying to be. Nothing charmless about it either. The characters don't bore or annoy generally, with the only reservation being Nick to start with.
To conclude, decent. 6/10
'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' mostly lived up to and exceeded mixed expectations, as it could have gone either way of being charming and cute or being sickly sweet and cheesy. And it manages on the most part to be the former. Despite what the corny and somewhat sugary title suggests. A good lesson in not judging a film by its title, advertising or any previous exposure to Hallmark Christmas films whether positive or negative. As far as Hallmark Christmas films go, generally 'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' is around solid middle, uneven but decent.
Will start with the not so good. The predictability of the story does get excessive in spots, especially in the final third, and parts early on are on the forced side. Hallmark is no stranger to over-obvious and too hastily and neatly wrapped up endings, and 'Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses' is another one of those films.
Some of the dialogue is not so great early on, could have done with more spark but also more subtlety. It did take me a while to warm to Matthew Davis, his type of character is not an easy one to pull off as there is real potential to be dull and unlikeable in an uptight role and Davis did start out that way. Some of the music is intrusive, though other Hallmark films did this aspect a lot worse.
However, Wagner is a sheer charming delight, she always gives her all while not overacting and she never looks bored. Once Nick softens and becomes easier to warm to, Davis is a lot more relaxed and becomes more appealing. His chemistry with Wagner was unsure to begin with and didn't seem connected, but as the relationship did develop (and realistically) it became more natural and warmer. Donna Mills is an amusing and kindly scene stealer and the child is cute but not too much so.
It looks good, with some never drab or garish photography, editing that doesn't look sloppy and appropriately festive locations. While the music didn't have me completely sold in terms of balance, tonally it fitted at least and doesn't over-emphasise too much the mood. The script did get better later on and was sincere and not cheesy. Despite the story not being perfect, it is light on its feet and has a warm heart without being mawkish or sugary sweet. Tonally it clearly knew what it was trying to be. Nothing charmless about it either. The characters don't bore or annoy generally, with the only reservation being Nick to start with.
To conclude, decent. 6/10
Liked the cast
phd_travel2 November 2019
A combination of home renovation and a Christmas movie is a good idea but there isn't much of a decor reveal here. Good to see Matt Davis out of the Vampire Diaries universe. He's convincing as the big CEO. Jill Wagner is a pleasant and an intelligent looking actress. A nice change from the over perkiness of some Hallmark Christmas movies. Donna Mills looks science fiction young. Didn't quite see them falling in love before the end.
Okay watch.
Okay watch.
Little more than nice
Kirpianuscus10 November 2020
You feel it different. Sure, it is pure Halmark but its predactibility is well used, the chemistry between main actors works, the kid is just perfect and Donna Mills gives good portrait of mother anf friend , D. Hinton is the dreamed wise father and Jill Wagner is there in admirable form. So , more than the expected nice.
Such predictability
LtlHippo4 November 2019
Didn't they do this one two years ago?
Jackbv12314 November 2019
So many similarities to Coming Home for Christmas except it lacked the great performance by Paula Shaw. Still this movie was OK.
To be honest, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this movie, so I apologize for what will be a jumble.
My first impression was how scattered Abbey seemed through the interview into her early days at the mansion. This is opposite of how I normally visualize Jill Wagner and it distracted me. And it was inherently self-contradictory because Abbey projected an air of complete confidence and yet that was not how she performed at first. After she and Nick went shopping, she seemed to settle down.
I wasn't impressed with the chemistry between Nick and Abbey, but there was obviously a growing attraction. The kid did a very nice job, especially for his age.
As always with Hallmark, you have a pretty good idea about broad strokes of where the story will go and in that regard it has been done before. There were a couple minor surprises. Abbey makes a promise early on that I expected to turn out differently than it did. The competition surprised also, although I'm sure some viewers guessed correctly on this. So while the end of the journey was to be expected, I was pleased that it wasn't all predictable.
To be honest, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this movie, so I apologize for what will be a jumble.
My first impression was how scattered Abbey seemed through the interview into her early days at the mansion. This is opposite of how I normally visualize Jill Wagner and it distracted me. And it was inherently self-contradictory because Abbey projected an air of complete confidence and yet that was not how she performed at first. After she and Nick went shopping, she seemed to settle down.
I wasn't impressed with the chemistry between Nick and Abbey, but there was obviously a growing attraction. The kid did a very nice job, especially for his age.
As always with Hallmark, you have a pretty good idea about broad strokes of where the story will go and in that regard it has been done before. There were a couple minor surprises. Abbey makes a promise early on that I expected to turn out differently than it did. The competition surprised also, although I'm sure some viewers guessed correctly on this. So while the end of the journey was to be expected, I was pleased that it wasn't all predictable.
Much better than Hallmark's usual offerings
doctorsmoothlove8 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Hallmark opened the 2019 Christmas movie season with this surprising movie. Apparently, this film unlike many others was actually based on a novel. One can tell from the quality of the script and the nuance of the character motivations. A woman is able to choose her career as a focus while simultaneously falling in love and spending time with her son. For once a man suspends his career goals because he is falling in love.
This inversion of the usual tropes is especially noticeable when marathoning these films. This one is well acted by Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis. They have a nervous interaction at first. She is intimated by his corporate standing and he is too busy to take her seriously. He begins to fall for her by seeing how passionate she is about setting up Christmas decorations. Nothing in his life is passionate. Cold and focused on the deal he is. His father would have wanted it that way. He eventually relaxes some as much as a man who has never relaxed can.
The film demonstrates how closeness with another person brings out our best qualities. It restores our humanity and that of our neighbors. Like the executive's relationship brings out the ambition of his assistant. She is a natural to fill his role when the inevitable ending arrives. That's ok. This film's happy ending is deserved because it feels like a conclusion these two characters are destined for.
Like many Hallmark movies, the movie isn't without some cheese. Why is a the executive setting up shop in a country estate? The plot demands an excuse to decorate. Some characters have no purpose besides padding. A few loose plot threads are acceptable when many other Hallmark films are so emotionless. A corporate machine cannot invoke feelings like a human author can.
This inversion of the usual tropes is especially noticeable when marathoning these films. This one is well acted by Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis. They have a nervous interaction at first. She is intimated by his corporate standing and he is too busy to take her seriously. He begins to fall for her by seeing how passionate she is about setting up Christmas decorations. Nothing in his life is passionate. Cold and focused on the deal he is. His father would have wanted it that way. He eventually relaxes some as much as a man who has never relaxed can.
The film demonstrates how closeness with another person brings out our best qualities. It restores our humanity and that of our neighbors. Like the executive's relationship brings out the ambition of his assistant. She is a natural to fill his role when the inevitable ending arrives. That's ok. This film's happy ending is deserved because it feels like a conclusion these two characters are destined for.
Like many Hallmark movies, the movie isn't without some cheese. Why is a the executive setting up shop in a country estate? The plot demands an excuse to decorate. Some characters have no purpose besides padding. A few loose plot threads are acceptable when many other Hallmark films are so emotionless. A corporate machine cannot invoke feelings like a human author can.
Drab, and that's too bad
VetteRanger8 December 2019
Matthew Davis' role calls for a drab, joyless character. Unfortunately, he does too well in meeting this requirement.
Jill Wagner has been popular in a string of these Hallmark Christmas movies, and got her own movie series this year (2019) in Murder 101. We like her better in that series than her Christmas roles. The director only allows her one scene of real life here, where she becomes angry when she thinks her time has been wasted in preparing for a meeting where she felt it was preordained that she be turned down for the job.
Darby Hinton, who played Daniel Boone's son as a child in the 60s, and later played the humorous Cody Abilene in the racy Malibu Express, is present more as a curiosity than a major player, though he has a long career on stage and screen to draw from.
This won't be on our rewatch list.
Jill Wagner has been popular in a string of these Hallmark Christmas movies, and got her own movie series this year (2019) in Murder 101. We like her better in that series than her Christmas roles. The director only allows her one scene of real life here, where she becomes angry when she thinks her time has been wasted in preparing for a meeting where she felt it was preordained that she be turned down for the job.
Darby Hinton, who played Daniel Boone's son as a child in the 60s, and later played the humorous Cody Abilene in the racy Malibu Express, is present more as a curiosity than a major player, though he has a long career on stage and screen to draw from.
This won't be on our rewatch list.
Kiss me!
adamjohns-4257515 December 2020
Although this isn't a bad film, it's incredibly obvious what's going on right from the start and it's a shame, because I do think that she should have ended up with the other one, which would have been a good twist.
You don't really get to see what she falls for in him, whereas there is a lot for him to find interesting in her. I do think it was unfair of her to lead the other one on too.
Don't expect too much and it's a good watch.
You don't really get to see what she falls for in him, whereas there is a lot for him to find interesting in her. I do think it was unfair of her to lead the other one on too.
Don't expect too much and it's a good watch.
Excellent Christmas Movie
mammamia7011 November 2019
This movie wasn't cheesy, and had me engrossed throughout! I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't the typical HM .... The acting was very good, of course Jill Wagner was superb, as was the rest of the cast. The movie about a single mom, trying to balance family, work and a love triangle. I became so engrossed with the story and trying to guess how it would achieve a happy ending, as HM have. I loved the decorations and the storyline, as well as the acting.
Overall boring
sfranks-2448628 December 2019
Once Again, Hallmark misses the local flavor of the story !
RichmondBread2 December 2019
This movie takes place in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Even the opening shot shows Monument Ave- an unmistakable landmark. They can't get away from that. But we see a snowy Richmond , which I guess they need to make it feel more like "Christmas" , because there isn't much "Christmas" in this movie.
The problem is, Richmond rarely sees a White Christmas and doesn't get much snow at all in December It usually rains here on Christmas. But aside from that, the characters are not local in flavor. They are all Canadians or something. I realize they don't have to be exactly right, but no one even attempted to sound remotely Southern or at least Southern flavored in their mannerisms. I found out this movie is based on the book which was written by an Australian lady who has probably never set foot in Richmond either. As far as the story line- it's highly predictable, but the Actors are good for what material they are given.
This seems to be very similar to the Danica McKeller movie that came out a few years earlier that also takes place in Virginia, which doesn't seem like Virginia. I feel so compelled to direct a Hallmark movie myself if it does takes place in Virginia, so they can at least get it right.
The problem is, Richmond rarely sees a White Christmas and doesn't get much snow at all in December It usually rains here on Christmas. But aside from that, the characters are not local in flavor. They are all Canadians or something. I realize they don't have to be exactly right, but no one even attempted to sound remotely Southern or at least Southern flavored in their mannerisms. I found out this movie is based on the book which was written by an Australian lady who has probably never set foot in Richmond either. As far as the story line- it's highly predictable, but the Actors are good for what material they are given.
This seems to be very similar to the Danica McKeller movie that came out a few years earlier that also takes place in Virginia, which doesn't seem like Virginia. I feel so compelled to direct a Hallmark movie myself if it does takes place in Virginia, so they can at least get it right.
Good Title, but cookie cutter execution
donnamercury3 November 2021
This movie was cute, but it could have been clever and more original. Didn't really explore all the traditions it could. Was very formulic if that's your thing. Leads were good, but this movie could have taken a lot more chances. Played too safe too often.
Condescending billionaire meets decorator
MickyG3337 January 2023
6.9 stars.
Abbey Fuller (Jill Wagner) is a highly sought after interior decorator hired to do a major project for a very wealthy man named Nick Sinclair (Matthew Davis) so he can secure a merger/acquisition. There is a mutual attraction, but he can't afford the distraction, and she can't afford the disappointment of being one. What will transpire as this man and woman from completely different worlds realize they have a connection that surpasses social boundaries?
The movie is only a standard Hallmark from every angle. There isn't much to set it apart except for the backdrop of this enormous mansion that seems to envelop everyone in a strange victorian gloom. Maybe how they set it apart with the exterior long distance shot, or with the lighting and the paintings in the rooms... it could simply be my impression alone, but something about the place sets a mood.
The romance was up and down, hot and cold. Nick's senior vice president (Rachel Hendrix) is actually quite a stunning woman, and I'm surprised she plays second fiddle in this film. Put her in the cockpit Hallmark, I think she is impressive.
The sets and wardrobe are good as usual, the cinematography, especially the lighting, is superb. Unfortunately the presentation, the writing and chemistry are not fantastic, just okay.
Abbey Fuller (Jill Wagner) is a highly sought after interior decorator hired to do a major project for a very wealthy man named Nick Sinclair (Matthew Davis) so he can secure a merger/acquisition. There is a mutual attraction, but he can't afford the distraction, and she can't afford the disappointment of being one. What will transpire as this man and woman from completely different worlds realize they have a connection that surpasses social boundaries?
The movie is only a standard Hallmark from every angle. There isn't much to set it apart except for the backdrop of this enormous mansion that seems to envelop everyone in a strange victorian gloom. Maybe how they set it apart with the exterior long distance shot, or with the lighting and the paintings in the rooms... it could simply be my impression alone, but something about the place sets a mood.
The romance was up and down, hot and cold. Nick's senior vice president (Rachel Hendrix) is actually quite a stunning woman, and I'm surprised she plays second fiddle in this film. Put her in the cockpit Hallmark, I think she is impressive.
The sets and wardrobe are good as usual, the cinematography, especially the lighting, is superb. Unfortunately the presentation, the writing and chemistry are not fantastic, just okay.
Jill Wagner Did It Again
agambre28 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Excellent movie for season opener of HM Countdown to Christmas 10th Anniversary.
Once again Jill showed to be the most versatile of all the HM actresses and pretty too. Whomever her lead actor, she makes it work that chemistry between them shows. Matt played the grinch billionaire extremely well but showed his soft side also. Donna played the meddling mother so much fun to watch. The rest of the casts were well-picked. Lesson learned: follow your dream, gut feeling with love of family along the way.
I am so proud to say that most of the scenes were taken at the Marietta Square in my hometown of Marietta, Georgia. Thank you HM!
I must of missed something
BurberryGal10 November 2019
Wanted to love this! but again, I felt very little chemistry between the two leads. there was no emotional connection to the leads or the storyline. It needed more heart to draw me in. Hallmark needs to work on creating/writing more complex storylines for the viewers.
I really liked this one.
brenjjonesfb5 November 2019
Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses
JoBloTheMovieCritic3 November 2019
What is This Woman's Career?
fishfryluv219 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I first have to admit that my wife and I didn't watch Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses in its entirety. At times during this movie, we switched around to the Food Network, NFL Football on NBC, The Walking Dead on AMC, something on CBS, QVC, TLC, CSPAN, HGTV, MTV, DDT, XYZ, and BNDAWP-TV. We also missed the beginning of the movie as it started after I got off the phone with Spectrum in order to get the Hallmark Channel back.
Anyways, we watched enough of it to be sick of the female lead and her ineptness at being an interior designer. She went on some rant to her future employer about how they really screwed up by not hiring her as an interior designer, and then, when she got the job because of her spunk, she was an awful interior designer who needed approval for every Christmas light she hung. My wife was furious, and it is only mid-November! Surprisingly, my wife went to bed with 10 minutes left in this movie, but I stayed up to watch the end. When Rich Big-House Guy finally proclaimed his love, the female lead looked like she was just told that trees are brown. She could not have cared less.
My wife, despite her reaction to this woman's poor job performance, did actually rate this movie a 7 on a scale of 1 to 15. I give it a 1, and that's only after rounding up my original score, which was less than 1 but greater than .5.
Anyways, we watched enough of it to be sick of the female lead and her ineptness at being an interior designer. She went on some rant to her future employer about how they really screwed up by not hiring her as an interior designer, and then, when she got the job because of her spunk, she was an awful interior designer who needed approval for every Christmas light she hung. My wife was furious, and it is only mid-November! Surprisingly, my wife went to bed with 10 minutes left in this movie, but I stayed up to watch the end. When Rich Big-House Guy finally proclaimed his love, the female lead looked like she was just told that trees are brown. She could not have cared less.
My wife, despite her reaction to this woman's poor job performance, did actually rate this movie a 7 on a scale of 1 to 15. I give it a 1, and that's only after rounding up my original score, which was less than 1 but greater than .5.
Typical of hallmark but watchable.
t-mccheyne10 December 2019
You might just skip on this particular Hallmark Christmas movie...
paul_haakonsen10 December 2021
Right, well this 2019 Hallmark Christmas movie was sappy and sort of fell short of what you usually get to see from a Hallmark Christmas movie.
When I sat down to watch "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses", and seeing it was a Hallmark movie, I must admit that I flat out just expected to be in for another run-of-the-mill romantic cheesy Christmas movie that Hallmark spews out by the dozen each year around Christmas. But still, as I hadn't already seen it, of course I opted to give it a chance. Who knew, maybe writer Liz Sczudlo would surprise here.
But even by Hallmark Christmas movie standards then "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses" was somewhat of a swing and a miss.
Writer Liz Sczudlo was trying to juggle a bit too many balls simultaneously, but most of them dropped and without much of any impact on the storyline. This movie was essentially just another sappy romantic movie with a Christmas theme draped over it. The aspect of Abbey (played by Jill Wagner) having two potential romantic interests just felt lukewarm and never had any real impact on the storyline. And then there was the story arch of Abbey's son, which just totally fluked and fell to the background becoming nothing more than just bits and pieces shoved into the main storyline.
Nay, "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses" was a swing and a miss, and this is not a Christmas movie that I would recommend you sit down to watch, even if you are a fan of the Hallmark Christmas movies.
My rating of "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.
When I sat down to watch "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses", and seeing it was a Hallmark movie, I must admit that I flat out just expected to be in for another run-of-the-mill romantic cheesy Christmas movie that Hallmark spews out by the dozen each year around Christmas. But still, as I hadn't already seen it, of course I opted to give it a chance. Who knew, maybe writer Liz Sczudlo would surprise here.
But even by Hallmark Christmas movie standards then "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses" was somewhat of a swing and a miss.
Writer Liz Sczudlo was trying to juggle a bit too many balls simultaneously, but most of them dropped and without much of any impact on the storyline. This movie was essentially just another sappy romantic movie with a Christmas theme draped over it. The aspect of Abbey (played by Jill Wagner) having two potential romantic interests just felt lukewarm and never had any real impact on the storyline. And then there was the story arch of Abbey's son, which just totally fluked and fell to the background becoming nothing more than just bits and pieces shoved into the main storyline.
Nay, "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses" was a swing and a miss, and this is not a Christmas movie that I would recommend you sit down to watch, even if you are a fan of the Hallmark Christmas movies.
My rating of "Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.
Good movie
dianamarinelli5 December 2020
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