I like Katie LeClerc so I tuned in. It's a struggling farm story. Can the farmer daughter make it work or will she have to sell out like the other city daughter wants? Solution: open an ice Cream Store. Possible romance with the man who is trying to sell the farm but helps her by combining Apple pies and her ice cream. Rather typically in these type of Hallmark movies she is only nice to him after he bails her out. Slightly annoying story with a nice cast.
22 Reviews
Thin plot line
Jackbv12318 November 2019
You could summarize the entire movie, along with predicting the ending, from the previews that were shown on the network constantly prior to the premiere. There was one small piece that supported the token outcome and most people will figure it out as soon as the vehicle for that piece is introduced.
I have never liked the save-the-family-business/farm trope. It's tolerable if it stays in the background. But Emily expended 10 times as much effort and emotion on saving the farm as she did on Charlie.
Many Christmas movies have thin plot lines. They back it up and fill out the movie with likeable characters and chemistry between the leads. One character was likeable. The other character might generate sympathy for her cause, and maybe respect for perseverance, but I wouldn't want to spend time with her, much less date her. That's OK, because I wouldn't call anything they did dating. Besides cutting down a tree, and arguing, much of their time together was spent with other characters like her mother and/or sister.
This didn't need to be a Christmas movie. It could have easily been Fourth of July given the apple pie ice cream. There were several references to Santa figurines, and this could have led to an interesting subplot, but it didn't happen. They didn't need them. There were no Christmas Carols, snow ball fights or other common traditions.
I have never liked the save-the-family-business/farm trope. It's tolerable if it stays in the background. But Emily expended 10 times as much effort and emotion on saving the farm as she did on Charlie.
Many Christmas movies have thin plot lines. They back it up and fill out the movie with likeable characters and chemistry between the leads. One character was likeable. The other character might generate sympathy for her cause, and maybe respect for perseverance, but I wouldn't want to spend time with her, much less date her. That's OK, because I wouldn't call anything they did dating. Besides cutting down a tree, and arguing, much of their time together was spent with other characters like her mother and/or sister.
This didn't need to be a Christmas movie. It could have easily been Fourth of July given the apple pie ice cream. There were several references to Santa figurines, and this could have led to an interesting subplot, but it didn't happen. They didn't need them. There were no Christmas Carols, snow ball fights or other common traditions.
Good enough to entertain for an hour and half
MIssM1930 March 2020
Both actors worked together on "Confess" (a booked I read and a TV show I watched), so there is my excuse for watching this. But, where was the Christmas? We had that one tree, a million Santa Clauses and a couple decorations, that's it. Christmas is not an essential part of the movie. That may be the biggest problem.
"I've fallen for you" excuse me, you spent all of three afternoons together and you are saying things like that to a stranger? I don't think so. There was not enough scenes between Emily and Charlie to actually see them falling for the other. Yes, he is charming, very easy to the eyes, and her enthusiasm is admirable, but they are strangers. I did not care a bit about the sister.
Other than those two being my biggest problems, I actually liked it. Being in quarantine I had to entertain myself and this did it. Would I watch it again? I don't think so. Would I watch another movie with Katie and Ryan together? Yes.
"I've fallen for you" excuse me, you spent all of three afternoons together and you are saying things like that to a stranger? I don't think so. There was not enough scenes between Emily and Charlie to actually see them falling for the other. Yes, he is charming, very easy to the eyes, and her enthusiasm is admirable, but they are strangers. I did not care a bit about the sister.
Other than those two being my biggest problems, I actually liked it. Being in quarantine I had to entertain myself and this did it. Would I watch it again? I don't think so. Would I watch another movie with Katie and Ryan together? Yes.
Solid if cliché-filled
r96sk15 December 2020
Not that bad, but not all that enjoyable either.
'Christmas a la Mode' is your basic, standard made-for-TV festive film. Katie Leclerc and Ryan Cooper are cute together, though none of the support cast stand out. The plot is a solid if cliché-filled one, I will say they tie it together well enough.
'Christmas a la Mode' is your basic, standard made-for-TV festive film. Katie Leclerc and Ryan Cooper are cute together, though none of the support cast stand out. The plot is a solid if cliché-filled one, I will say they tie it together well enough.
Lousy story but good actress
cujorocky10 November 2021
Background music was LOUD AND DISTRACTING
youngandrestless1234519 November 2019
Pretty good!
outdoorsy_gal22 December 2019
This was a good movie. Actually different storyline among the rest and I appreciated that. Ryan Cooper made the movie great, I must confess. His rugged good looks & pleasant demeanor were a force to he reckoned with. Katie Leclerc was ok in the movie, but they appeared to lack the "chemistry" one usually sees in these types of movies. I've seen better, I've seen worse, but I'd watch it again. The lady who played the "mean" sister, I didn't care for but she fit the storyline so there's that! 8 out of 10!
Good enough...
Thanos_Alfie22 December 2021
"Christmas a la Mode" is a Drama - Romance movie in which we watch a woman trying to save her family's farm in order to continue her father's legacy. During Christmas she has to find a lot of money and she has to find them very fast.
I have to admit that despite that I did not have any expectations from this movie, I was happily surprised by it. It was a nice Christmas movie to spend your time, it had a simple but beautiful plot with a nice meaning. The interpretations of both Ryan Cooper's who played as Charlie Blanchard and Katie Leclerc's who played as Emily White were very good and they both did a nice job. The direction which was made by John Stimpson was average but good enough for this kind of movie. Finally, I have to say that "Christmas a la Mode" is a nice, beautiful Christmas movie and I recommend everyone to watch it.
I have to admit that despite that I did not have any expectations from this movie, I was happily surprised by it. It was a nice Christmas movie to spend your time, it had a simple but beautiful plot with a nice meaning. The interpretations of both Ryan Cooper's who played as Charlie Blanchard and Katie Leclerc's who played as Emily White were very good and they both did a nice job. The direction which was made by John Stimpson was average but good enough for this kind of movie. Finally, I have to say that "Christmas a la Mode" is a nice, beautiful Christmas movie and I recommend everyone to watch it.
Lead Guy is Very Charming But that Sister is the Worst
jazznu3 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'm wondering how many actually watched this movie all the way through because I don't know how people are stuck on the lead character Emily played by Switched at Birth's Katie LeClerc not being nice and polite to every single person when the sister is a flat out villain here. No, Katie is not super nice to everyone and while her cause is sound, it takes a bit to warm up to her completely. But she's fighting for her farm, her and her mom's house, and her animals that are like her friends (she has cute convos with her cows). Is she supposed to be nice to people who are basically there for a hostile takeover of her life? She's very friendly to the townspeople, the people she's short with are her sister and investors she didn't invite to buy her farm.
Because the sister Dorothy (Jennifer Ellis) who never visits from the city suddenly shows up because she's co-owner of the farm and pulled the financials, but she's not there to help or to even let her sister know she's aware of the farm's struggles. No, she's cut a deal to sell the farm, that will get her a nice fat check, and leave her sister and mother with no place to live since selling the farm means selling the only home she's ever had. The sister doesn't care and isn't affected at all by this, she just wants to sell her father's farm because she doesn't have a love of it at all, and she's been eyeing a vacation home on the Cape. Seriously. Not just that, she tells her mom and sister that they will sell to a dairy farm so their dad's land will at least remain how he always wanted it, but later gets residential development deals for more and starts cutting a deal with that company and says nothing to Emily. Only reason Emily found out was that the residential development's rival made her a direct counteroffer and informed her of the switch in plans.
Charlie (Ryan Cooper) helping her at all is a stretch just because he's literally negotiating the buyout, but very much in keeping with the Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movie type storyline, which are rarely super realistic. But it all works, and he's the best, most charming character in this movie. Hope to see him again.
This was much better than I thought it would be. The first few minutes had me turning this off more than once before I actually watched. I'm glad I did. One of the better offerings in 2019 in general, but certainly from Lifetime. But be aware, this is kind of light on the Christmas theme, it's there and woven in for sure, but it's on the low end of feeling like a holiday movie. The chemistry between the characters is good. Ryan Cooper's Charlie is instantly likable, his background makes the entire reason he might help Emily much more believable and Katie is very believable as a the woman trying to save her home and the farm her father built.
But that sister needed to be shown the door for real at the end. Unfortunately, the end isn't as satisfying as it should be since the sister gets her buyout of her farm ownership even though she didn't get the bigger development deal check and will be buying her Cape Cod vacation home with the money.
Because the sister Dorothy (Jennifer Ellis) who never visits from the city suddenly shows up because she's co-owner of the farm and pulled the financials, but she's not there to help or to even let her sister know she's aware of the farm's struggles. No, she's cut a deal to sell the farm, that will get her a nice fat check, and leave her sister and mother with no place to live since selling the farm means selling the only home she's ever had. The sister doesn't care and isn't affected at all by this, she just wants to sell her father's farm because she doesn't have a love of it at all, and she's been eyeing a vacation home on the Cape. Seriously. Not just that, she tells her mom and sister that they will sell to a dairy farm so their dad's land will at least remain how he always wanted it, but later gets residential development deals for more and starts cutting a deal with that company and says nothing to Emily. Only reason Emily found out was that the residential development's rival made her a direct counteroffer and informed her of the switch in plans.
Charlie (Ryan Cooper) helping her at all is a stretch just because he's literally negotiating the buyout, but very much in keeping with the Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movie type storyline, which are rarely super realistic. But it all works, and he's the best, most charming character in this movie. Hope to see him again.
This was much better than I thought it would be. The first few minutes had me turning this off more than once before I actually watched. I'm glad I did. One of the better offerings in 2019 in general, but certainly from Lifetime. But be aware, this is kind of light on the Christmas theme, it's there and woven in for sure, but it's on the low end of feeling like a holiday movie. The chemistry between the characters is good. Ryan Cooper's Charlie is instantly likable, his background makes the entire reason he might help Emily much more believable and Katie is very believable as a the woman trying to save her home and the farm her father built.
But that sister needed to be shown the door for real at the end. Unfortunately, the end isn't as satisfying as it should be since the sister gets her buyout of her farm ownership even though she didn't get the bigger development deal check and will be buying her Cape Cod vacation home with the money.
Just average.
doctorsmoothlove19 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Christmas A La Mode" is a 2019 Lifetime Christmas movie that was written and directed by John Stimpson. I mention that detail because it causes me to think the story was personal. It's strange then that the film ends up falling into the same narrative problems a lot of made-for-tv holidays films do: it ends too quickly. It also feels like a movie that didn't need to be set at Christmas but was so Lifetime had another movie to show for its Christmas marathon.
A struggling dairy farmer, Emily (Katie Leclerc), lives on rural area that isn't profitable. It is apparently highly sought after land. The banker has recommended not extending the line of credit and Emily's sister wants to sell the property. There is a way to save the farm. One sister may buy out the other at 1/2 of the tax value pursuant to some legal document. The film never states what kind of arrangement the dead father of the two women has that requires Emily to buy out her sister. If Dorothy wants to sell and Emily does, couldn't Emily just refuse to cooperate and wait out the inevitable lawsuit? One property owner cannot unilaterally sell.
There is a Christmas Hot Guy who works with Dorothy at their real estate company. Charlie Blanchard (Ryan Cooper) is handsome and little else. At least he can bake pies. His family business was all about pies. Eventually, he combines his apple pie with the ice cream the dairy farm produces to produce a new flavor: Christmas A La Mode. It's a big hit of course.
The film touches on the challenges of fundraising in the modern era of Kickstarter. Emily and her mother create a social media presence that kicks up interest in the farm. She makes a heartfelt plea when they are not close to their goal. It's odd that we never see Emily interacting with anyone in the local community. The farm seems to exist in a separate world from anything else around it. New York City is mentioned directly several times. We even see Charlie's office there. I think it would have made more sense for Charlie to be based locally. If the farm was important to the community, I would have felt more connected to it. The lack of a connection makes the miracle donation of $100,000 seem self-enriching to Emily.
Emily and Charlie have little screen time as a couple. They fall in love, have a conflict and get back together exactly as you expect. When the overarching conflict is resolved, Dorothy (evil sister) is retconned to be a heroine. It's really cheesy. Why are these films afraid to have a villain?
A struggling dairy farmer, Emily (Katie Leclerc), lives on rural area that isn't profitable. It is apparently highly sought after land. The banker has recommended not extending the line of credit and Emily's sister wants to sell the property. There is a way to save the farm. One sister may buy out the other at 1/2 of the tax value pursuant to some legal document. The film never states what kind of arrangement the dead father of the two women has that requires Emily to buy out her sister. If Dorothy wants to sell and Emily does, couldn't Emily just refuse to cooperate and wait out the inevitable lawsuit? One property owner cannot unilaterally sell.
There is a Christmas Hot Guy who works with Dorothy at their real estate company. Charlie Blanchard (Ryan Cooper) is handsome and little else. At least he can bake pies. His family business was all about pies. Eventually, he combines his apple pie with the ice cream the dairy farm produces to produce a new flavor: Christmas A La Mode. It's a big hit of course.
The film touches on the challenges of fundraising in the modern era of Kickstarter. Emily and her mother create a social media presence that kicks up interest in the farm. She makes a heartfelt plea when they are not close to their goal. It's odd that we never see Emily interacting with anyone in the local community. The farm seems to exist in a separate world from anything else around it. New York City is mentioned directly several times. We even see Charlie's office there. I think it would have made more sense for Charlie to be based locally. If the farm was important to the community, I would have felt more connected to it. The lack of a connection makes the miracle donation of $100,000 seem self-enriching to Emily.
Emily and Charlie have little screen time as a couple. They fall in love, have a conflict and get back together exactly as you expect. When the overarching conflict is resolved, Dorothy (evil sister) is retconned to be a heroine. It's really cheesy. Why are these films afraid to have a villain?
Christmas on time
TheLittleSongbird20 October 2020
'Christmas a La Mode' had one of those premises that actually didn't excite me all that much. It sounded very thin on the ground and like one of those films where everything was going to be obvious from the get go all the way through to the end. It is one of those premises that has been done quite a few times before and done quite conventionally each time. Saw it anyway, being such a big fan of Christmas and because of seeing a number of Lifetime/Hallmark etc. Christmas films overtime.
My somewhat indifferent feelings on the premise has sadly not changed all that much since watching 'Christmas a La Mode', with its execution of it being pretty much what it sounded like reading the basic synopsis. It isn't a terrible film, there are moments and good things, but there is not much really that is great either and some things are downright badly executed. There are certainly far worse Christmas films around, also far better.
There are good things here in 'Christmas a La Mode'. The best thing about it for me was Ryan Cooper, who came over as charming and sympathetic and his character was easily the easiest to warm to. Katie Leclerc also fared well and gives it her all, she didn't overdo the role and it didn't sound like she was just reading the lines. Did like them together and it was clear that they cared for each other.
Visually, 'Christmas a La Mode' looks attractive with some lovely scenery complemented without any signs of drabness or garishness by the photography. There are a few sweet moments here and there.
However, do agree with those that found the music too constant and too loud and it was neither interesting or appealing music. It balances poorly with the dialogue, which is also nothing to write home about due to the overload of cheese and over-sentiment. Also agree with those that found the character of Dorothy insufferably irritating and her last minute character change far too unrealistically abrupt. Jennifer Ellis overacted the character in my view too.
Found the story paper thin, with a pretty uneventful first half, and dully paced on the whole. While also hastily and too patly wrapping things up at the end. Generally it lacked charm and heart, with too little to it, and pretty much everything was obvious well before they happened. Only the two leads are good when it comes to the acting, everybody else overacts or is forgettable with none of their characters being interesting. The direction is workmanlike at best.
Overall, lacklustre but with moments. 4/10
My somewhat indifferent feelings on the premise has sadly not changed all that much since watching 'Christmas a La Mode', with its execution of it being pretty much what it sounded like reading the basic synopsis. It isn't a terrible film, there are moments and good things, but there is not much really that is great either and some things are downright badly executed. There are certainly far worse Christmas films around, also far better.
There are good things here in 'Christmas a La Mode'. The best thing about it for me was Ryan Cooper, who came over as charming and sympathetic and his character was easily the easiest to warm to. Katie Leclerc also fared well and gives it her all, she didn't overdo the role and it didn't sound like she was just reading the lines. Did like them together and it was clear that they cared for each other.
Visually, 'Christmas a La Mode' looks attractive with some lovely scenery complemented without any signs of drabness or garishness by the photography. There are a few sweet moments here and there.
However, do agree with those that found the music too constant and too loud and it was neither interesting or appealing music. It balances poorly with the dialogue, which is also nothing to write home about due to the overload of cheese and over-sentiment. Also agree with those that found the character of Dorothy insufferably irritating and her last minute character change far too unrealistically abrupt. Jennifer Ellis overacted the character in my view too.
Found the story paper thin, with a pretty uneventful first half, and dully paced on the whole. While also hastily and too patly wrapping things up at the end. Generally it lacked charm and heart, with too little to it, and pretty much everything was obvious well before they happened. Only the two leads are good when it comes to the acting, everybody else overacts or is forgettable with none of their characters being interesting. The direction is workmanlike at best.
Overall, lacklustre but with moments. 4/10
Positives outweighed the agravating heroine.
rebekahrox1 November 2020
Despite the leading female character being a thoroughly unpleasant person, I enjoyed this very much. The actors playing the two lead characters were very appealing. I loved the hero. He was very attractive both inside and out. I would love to see more of the actor who played the character. I loved the actress as well. She was very cute and wholesome looking. A true girl next door look. There was good chemistry between the two lovebirds.
The story had good tension and suspense. While it is true that the citified sister was an antagonist in the noble quest to save the family farm, for most of the movie, I was onboard with her sensible move to sell it to a large Dairy Farm concern rather than having the family lose the whole thing to bankruptcy. Emily, the farm sister was unreasonable, sulky, and obstinate in her refusal to see anyone's viewpoint other than her own. Not to mention lying to her mother. I didn't have any sympathy for her at first. She was effectively putting loyalty to her dead father over her Mom's future. Homelessness, here we come. And why didn't she go into crisis mode earlier to formulate a plan to save the farm? It was limping along for years, apparently. Also, I'm not a fan of asking for donations to save a business that was not making it on it's own steam and business plan. It does not bode well for the long term viability of the business. It was just putting off the inevitable. Of course when the sister went completely over to the dark side, by switching her support to the housing development, I really started rooting for Emily. By that time she had finally got a fire lit under her and her schemes were bearing some fruit. After she lost the attitude, she was actually very charming.
I also want to note the actress who played their farm hand. Not conventionally pretty, but I liked that choice. She was excellent. I liked the final solution, it made very good sense. And since I didn't hate the city sister from the get-go, I was OK with her retconned personality change at the end. And the apple-pie ice-cream sounded absolutely delicious.
I.
The story had good tension and suspense. While it is true that the citified sister was an antagonist in the noble quest to save the family farm, for most of the movie, I was onboard with her sensible move to sell it to a large Dairy Farm concern rather than having the family lose the whole thing to bankruptcy. Emily, the farm sister was unreasonable, sulky, and obstinate in her refusal to see anyone's viewpoint other than her own. Not to mention lying to her mother. I didn't have any sympathy for her at first. She was effectively putting loyalty to her dead father over her Mom's future. Homelessness, here we come. And why didn't she go into crisis mode earlier to formulate a plan to save the farm? It was limping along for years, apparently. Also, I'm not a fan of asking for donations to save a business that was not making it on it's own steam and business plan. It does not bode well for the long term viability of the business. It was just putting off the inevitable. Of course when the sister went completely over to the dark side, by switching her support to the housing development, I really started rooting for Emily. By that time she had finally got a fire lit under her and her schemes were bearing some fruit. After she lost the attitude, she was actually very charming.
I also want to note the actress who played their farm hand. Not conventionally pretty, but I liked that choice. She was excellent. I liked the final solution, it made very good sense. And since I didn't hate the city sister from the get-go, I was OK with her retconned personality change at the end. And the apple-pie ice-cream sounded absolutely delicious.
I.
Horrible background music
lll-0550017 November 2019
Its on my watch again favorites list!
spiceladyvickibird25 November 2020
I always love Christmas movies with a love story, family, humor, and some kind of business challenge to overcome. I'm weird like that I need more than just a Christmas love story. It definitely has all I needed plus family traditions and great decorations. I really like the lead actress and actor. Its nice to see a different face.
Jennifer Ellis character abrupt turnaround was unbelievable
pacsmell4 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Dorothy White doing about face and stating that she was all for saving the family farm was soooo false face. The protagonist just saying it is all good is just a ludicrous. I would have given this one a 7, but dropped it to a 4.
Leading Lady Acts Too Shady
saraahanson17 November 2019
I could not get behind the heroine's dismal attitude towards everyone and everything, including her city-slick sister who holds the only realistic attitude in the family. I get that a woman like our central character, who's hard-working and legacy-driven should be admired, but a woman who's harsh and demeaning? Not so much. The way she and her sister interacted, up until the last two minutes of the movie, was childish and abrasive. And did they show any real personal growth or development, by the time the screen went black? They didn't, and my expression darkened with the tv. Won't be watching this one again. Too much of a bah humbug, even with the ice cream and apple pie. Too much bitter and bland, while not enough sweet.
Cute
JaneU214316 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Not exactly your typical Christmas movie but it was cute. The only really unbelievable part was at the end ....SPOILER...:
The Sister went from the Wicked Witch of New England to staying for Christmas in 2 minutes. I thought she was AWFUL (mean) and I would have kicked her right out of the house.lol.
The Mother asked her to stay for Christmas 3 seconds after the Sister waltzed in with Lawyers to take the Farm ! That was a little odd.
It was predictable but isn't that what we are here for ? I watch these Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas Movies for the "Christmas Joy" with a little RomCom thrown in.
The Sister went from the Wicked Witch of New England to staying for Christmas in 2 minutes. I thought she was AWFUL (mean) and I would have kicked her right out of the house.lol.
The Mother asked her to stay for Christmas 3 seconds after the Sister waltzed in with Lawyers to take the Farm ! That was a little odd.
It was predictable but isn't that what we are here for ? I watch these Lifetime and Hallmark Christmas Movies for the "Christmas Joy" with a little RomCom thrown in.
Music too loud
pattaylorburwick24 October 2020
The movie was intertaining enough but in this movie, as in most of the Lifetime and even the other Hallmark movies and Mysteries, the music is unbearably loud. Why, it doesn't add anything to the movie, infact it is so distracting, even with CC I can't concentrate on the story line. Please stop the music.
Pleasant Enough
glanners-708033 January 2021
The White's family farm is in financial trouble and Emily (Katie Leclerc) tries to salvage it before her sister Dorothy (Jennifer Ellis) and business partner Charlie (Ryan Cooper) sell it off. Charlie warms to Katie and begins to offer her help. It's pleasant enough, but doesn't have anything special going for it, with an obviously low budget, lacklustre writing, and less than spectacular performances.
Predictable and boring
mosquitocyn26 December 2021
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