I'll start with my positives: I loved the storyline of this movie. I loved the "magic" aspect and the helper, Carol, was great. The sets and scenery were great, too. Most of the acting was good. However (here comes the not-so-good), I haven't ever seen the lead, Lexi, before. She kind of fell flat for me. I agree with one of the other reviews about her coat. lol I didn't realize she was pregnant so that makes sense now.
It just seemed a little meh for me. I think in these movies the actors play off of each other and their chemistry can make a movie and the lack of chemistry can break it and I just didn't feel there was any chemistry at all.
31 Reviews
Not my first choice
laneypci7 December 2019
Passing grade for props, decorations and staging. Costuming especially for star female role was terrible. There appeared to be two different women playing that role. I wonder who casted her and how she got the part, at times she appeared to be reading a monitor. She had a hard time convincing me that there was a merry Christmas going on.
Unreal
kerrydragon8 December 2019
Very Sugary Story with rather bland acting and a very manufactured feeling.The home and decorations were however Beautiful.Would only watch during the holidays.Never heard of any the actors but was interesting to see something filmed in Winnipeg.
Disappointed
dznymagic062730 November 2019
Your leads were all wrong. No chemistry. Lexi seemed green and not believable. Scott was more convincing. Beth is always wonderful. Not sure who played Grandpa but he was good. I like the storyline but just couldn't finish this movie.
Christine's first miss of the season.
rightisright9 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This movie gets five of its stars just the delightful Beth Broderick. She adds joy to any movie.
Lexi Lawson is fine as the star, but you have to wonder why her character never took her coat off? I guess that's why she has no chemistry at all with the bland male lead. You know, with a baby on the way.
So far this season, Lifetime has done better with their holiday movies. This one though, stinks.
Ummm Ewwww
tigerjohn6625 November 2019
This movie was just blah. No chemistry at all. The only bright spot was "Carol". I have always enjoyed her. If this movie had been played by a completely different cast it could have been a hit. But it seemed like this was everyone's very first acting job and it was if they were just reading a script out loud. Love the story but the actors ruined it. Come on Lifetime... You can do better then that... I've seen it.
One Lesson Lifetime can teach Hallmark
phd_travel6 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This Lifetime Christmas movie has a few different things from Hallmark. A more diverse cast - ethnically a wide mix. The magic element helps a little. Nice difference compared to Hallmark is the ending she didn't have to give up the big city for the small town. There are solutions other than giving up everything and moving to a small town Hallmark!
Just bad
Northener5 January 2020
I usually give points for filming winter scenes in actual wintery locations, but this is the second one this year filmed in Winnipeg...but not in winter. WHY bother? At least they looked bundled up against the fake snow in this one.
I love Beth Broderick and Mark Ghanime, but not in this one. Boring? Slow? Stupid? Not sure. As another reviewer noted, not sure what I was watching here. And Lexi Lawson is on Broadway? Really? Then she needs to take an "acting for the camera" course. The few (and odd) rave reviews on here must from people who know her. I agree with majority of reviewers who found her to be amateurish.
Both the director and casting director need a kick in the head for this mess. They cast for diversity, but hire an actress who can't act, and then this is the worst, give the lead guy a redhead white guy for a brother. Were they adopted? Did I miss that part?
I would say don't waste your time, but it's not likely this one will get a repeat showing.
I love Beth Broderick and Mark Ghanime, but not in this one. Boring? Slow? Stupid? Not sure. As another reviewer noted, not sure what I was watching here. And Lexi Lawson is on Broadway? Really? Then she needs to take an "acting for the camera" course. The few (and odd) rave reviews on here must from people who know her. I agree with majority of reviewers who found her to be amateurish.
Both the director and casting director need a kick in the head for this mess. They cast for diversity, but hire an actress who can't act, and then this is the worst, give the lead guy a redhead white guy for a brother. Were they adopted? Did I miss that part?
I would say don't waste your time, but it's not likely this one will get a repeat showing.
Really boring holiday movie
doctorsmoothlove19 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In 2019 Lifetime produced nearly 30 holiday films as part of its "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" marathon. That amount of movies surely results in some films lacking in good screenplays, original ideas or memorable acting. Some of the films are going to stink. "Always and Forever Christmas" falls into the stinker camp and lacks in all of the ways I just described.
The plot is very basic. A west coast woman played by a broadway actress Lexi Lawson visits her grandfather's hometown, which is of course in Vermont. Her grandfather died and left her his year-round Christmas store that somehow exists in a town with only a few residents. The plot is extremely similar to Hallmark's stinker "Nostalgic Christmas." I say stinker because the plot never really advances. Of course the heroine meets a Hot Guy who falls for her. Lawson doesn't have a script that gives him any reason to like her. She's just a woman who is single and available I suppose. Lawson doesn't help matters by playing the role flat. She seems to be going through the motions.
There is so little going on that the film resorts to playing multiple non-copyright Christmas songs. When you resort to doing it more than once in a film, it's usually because the film has to pad out its runtime. Padding also occurs when we have multiple scenes of characters shopping at the store for products few people actually buy. Everything else that happens is by the book if you are familiar with made-for-tv Christmas films. It just takes longer than normal to get there due to the lack of plot.
You might think I hated this movie. I found it boring and bothersome. Why can't filmmakers make Christmas films, even those with magic elements take place in a real world setting? Why can't the main characters act in a way a real person would act? I highly suggest putting another film on in the background or even just playing a youtube video of Christmas music.
The plot is very basic. A west coast woman played by a broadway actress Lexi Lawson visits her grandfather's hometown, which is of course in Vermont. Her grandfather died and left her his year-round Christmas store that somehow exists in a town with only a few residents. The plot is extremely similar to Hallmark's stinker "Nostalgic Christmas." I say stinker because the plot never really advances. Of course the heroine meets a Hot Guy who falls for her. Lawson doesn't have a script that gives him any reason to like her. She's just a woman who is single and available I suppose. Lawson doesn't help matters by playing the role flat. She seems to be going through the motions.
There is so little going on that the film resorts to playing multiple non-copyright Christmas songs. When you resort to doing it more than once in a film, it's usually because the film has to pad out its runtime. Padding also occurs when we have multiple scenes of characters shopping at the store for products few people actually buy. Everything else that happens is by the book if you are familiar with made-for-tv Christmas films. It just takes longer than normal to get there due to the lack of plot.
You might think I hated this movie. I found it boring and bothersome. Why can't filmmakers make Christmas films, even those with magic elements take place in a real world setting? Why can't the main characters act in a way a real person would act? I highly suggest putting another film on in the background or even just playing a youtube video of Christmas music.
Lexi!!!!
mrrhone11 November 2019
The writing for this movie was really nice. But I honestly think Lexi brought a out a lot of magic in this one. Her smile. Her voice. Her. She deserves more of these. She's a fresh face. I was pleased to see her. I also love how her acting wasn't "over the top." It looked so natural, I forgot she was acting! Also, whoever did the lighting and makeup for this flick was awesome too. Hats off to Scott! I think I'll watch this one every holiday season. Lexi did an awesome job!
flat and lifeless
celticwarrior_amazonwoma7 December 2019
Preface to say I've seen a load of Hallmark movies and when I critique I take at face value and lower standards for depth of character and plot complexity. Its supposed to be easy light watching. It's cookie cutter plot and characters.
Over the years Ive seen some, however that were deep and everyone was connected, had chemistry, and some actors just naturally bring more to the table.
The acting in this was a giant train wreck. If there was a word meaning flatter than flat I would use it. This felt like some people in beginners high school drama class reading off a script for the first time. I couldnt watch more than cursory 10 minutes in between something else.
Not a Christmas one would want to remember
TheLittleSongbird4 May 2021
Just to say now, in my view not all Lifetime's Christmas offerings are bad. Actually was pleasantly surprised by some, which has been true of my film viewings of Hallmark/Lifetime etc Christmas films in general over-time. Actually really liked the concept here for 'Always and Forever Christmas', it sounded so sweet and poignant, but whether it was going to work was all going to be dependent on the likeability of the characters and two leads, their interaction and how the story would be executed.
2019 was a very mixed to fairly unimpressive year overall for Lifetime. 'Always and Forever Christmas' for me was among the worst. Didn't think it was that terrible, always look for good things in every less than mediocre film watched and 'Always and Forever Christmas' did have them. It is also not a very good film at all sadly, at best quite weak with its worst aspects being terrible. Even with knowing what to expect, 'Always and Forever Christmas' didn't work.
'Always and Forever Christmas' has its good things. The best thing about it is Beth Broderick, she attacks her part with spirit and charm and brings class to the film. Mark Ghanime was also solid, he seemed very genuine and easy going.
It is lovingly shot and has suitably picturesque scenery, the decorations are beautiful. There are some pleasant moments in the soundtrack, emphasis though on some.
On the other hand, it is agreed that Lexi Lawson is truly amateurish, saying her lines with no feelings and she just looks zombie-like throughout. The rest of the cast also don't stand out. Few of the characters are well developed or likeable (Ghanime and Broderick being the sole exceptions) and Lawson and Ghanime have no chemistry between them, they wouldn't even convince as friends yet alone lovers.
The pedestrian direction doesn't help them. Neither does the cliched character writing, that gives the characters like one or two character traits and not much else, or the soggy and corny script that really overdoes the sentiment to saccharine degrees. The story sounded so charming on paper, but ended up being dull, over-sentimental and running out of ideas-like. The ending can be seen from a mile away and left me cold rather than moved. The music tends to be too constant and too loud.
In conclusion, quite lacking in most areas. 3/10.
2019 was a very mixed to fairly unimpressive year overall for Lifetime. 'Always and Forever Christmas' for me was among the worst. Didn't think it was that terrible, always look for good things in every less than mediocre film watched and 'Always and Forever Christmas' did have them. It is also not a very good film at all sadly, at best quite weak with its worst aspects being terrible. Even with knowing what to expect, 'Always and Forever Christmas' didn't work.
'Always and Forever Christmas' has its good things. The best thing about it is Beth Broderick, she attacks her part with spirit and charm and brings class to the film. Mark Ghanime was also solid, he seemed very genuine and easy going.
It is lovingly shot and has suitably picturesque scenery, the decorations are beautiful. There are some pleasant moments in the soundtrack, emphasis though on some.
On the other hand, it is agreed that Lexi Lawson is truly amateurish, saying her lines with no feelings and she just looks zombie-like throughout. The rest of the cast also don't stand out. Few of the characters are well developed or likeable (Ghanime and Broderick being the sole exceptions) and Lawson and Ghanime have no chemistry between them, they wouldn't even convince as friends yet alone lovers.
The pedestrian direction doesn't help them. Neither does the cliched character writing, that gives the characters like one or two character traits and not much else, or the soggy and corny script that really overdoes the sentiment to saccharine degrees. The story sounded so charming on paper, but ended up being dull, over-sentimental and running out of ideas-like. The ending can be seen from a mile away and left me cold rather than moved. The music tends to be too constant and too loud.
In conclusion, quite lacking in most areas. 3/10.
Just OK
e711923 April 2020
I really hate to say anything negative, and I did love the idea of the storyline, the decorations, as well as Beth Broderick. but the film itself was just ok and not really believable to me. I had a hard time connecting with the lead, who was beautiful, but almost unlikable at times. So sorry to say that, but I have to agree that there was just no chemistry in general.
It could have been great..
RocksTonicJuiceMagic7 December 2019
If it weren't for Lexi Lawson. Her terrible acting destroyed anything this movie could have been. It was painful to watch. Her lines were strained, and she sounded like she was reading off a teleprompter.
Another complaint is the sound quality of this movie. It's inconsistent, and some of the character's voices seemed to be dubbed over. Lexi's voice especially.
It's really a shame, because the premise of this movie is great. I love a Christmas movie with a magical element to it..
But a bad main actor can ruin an entire movie, and sadly, that's what happened in this case.
What was that???
toncincin4 November 2019
I watch for about 30 minutes - which was about 28 minutes too long. What a terrible movie! Terrible story. Terrible acting. Lifetime might consider sticking with their "woman in peril" story lines. The 2019 Christmas offerings, thus far, gave just plain been BAD.
Sooooooo Over The Top, Sooooooo Lovely!
jnh-123-74678616 November 2019
Yes the same old storyline but I was drawn into it within minutes. I thought it was well done and acted and I have no beef with it at all. Lovely way to spend some viewing time. Just one question, how come Randall was in short sleeves most of the time and everyone else was dressed for the Arctic? Anyway give it a go peeps, I dare you not to enjoy it.
A Stud and a Dud
Lckycookie31 December 2021
Love Mark always, especially in these Lifetime movies, ten stars. Beth is an added bonus. As others pointed out, the main actress can't act and honestly her character is the worse, not likable at all. It makes new movie unwatchable.
Not too good
scarletepilogue22 November 2021
The acting (especially from the female lead) makes this movie almost unwatchable. It seems like she gives no effort to try and act the part; it makes for awkward interactions between her and other actors, especially the male lead. She was just incredibly dull and it makes it difficult to get interested. I was stuck wondering "why would anyone even be interested in a person who behaves like this". Beth Broderick was lovely and did help make the movie not a complete dud. It could have had potential if casting was chose properly..the lousy acting seems to be what really did it in for me.
Beth Broderick the only shining light to this movie!
chiladamom20 November 2022
Very poor acting! Wanted to quit as soon as the movie started but I love Beth Broderick and wanted to give it a chance. Lexi seems very new to acting and needs more practice, it's like watching a local high school Christmas play. I think maybe this movie would have been better with a different lead like Tamara or Tia Mowery. There was not any chemistry between the 2 leads Lexi and Mark was not there. The plot was good, and would had potential with. Different Lucy. Even the small roles were just not that great. Will not be in my future Christmas movie watchlist. Lifetime can do better than these actors, but Beth as always did great!
Waste of time !
redx170828 December 2022
I don't expect much from Christmas movies, but I usually watch a bunch during December, and this year there were actually 1 or 2 above average. Those were the ones where several of the actors could actually act.
This wasn't one of them.
I think this was the worst I've watched this year.
Not so much because the plot was stupid, that seems to be mandatory for these flicks. (A shop that only sells Christmas stuff ?) They must be doing terribly well during Christmas time to make ends meet for the rest of the year, considering that the stuff they sell seems to be in the cheap end.
But the acting ! Oh brother !
I understand that Ms Lawson was in Hamilton on Broadway, and allegedly did very well there, but there's a big difference between acting on stage and acting on camera, and she certainly has to up her game considerably there. Keeping a forced smile on her face all the time and sounding like she read her lines from a teleprompter doesn't quite work.
1 star each to Ghanime and Broderick for working hard to make this work, but pretty much a wasted effort.
This wasn't one of them.
I think this was the worst I've watched this year.
Not so much because the plot was stupid, that seems to be mandatory for these flicks. (A shop that only sells Christmas stuff ?) They must be doing terribly well during Christmas time to make ends meet for the rest of the year, considering that the stuff they sell seems to be in the cheap end.
But the acting ! Oh brother !
I understand that Ms Lawson was in Hamilton on Broadway, and allegedly did very well there, but there's a big difference between acting on stage and acting on camera, and she certainly has to up her game considerably there. Keeping a forced smile on her face all the time and sounding like she read her lines from a teleprompter doesn't quite work.
1 star each to Ghanime and Broderick for working hard to make this work, but pretty much a wasted effort.
Fun Christmas Movie
danieljhuxley12 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I thought this was a lot of fun! The leads had good chemistry and moved the story along. Lexi had a good character arc going from someone who wants to forget the past, sell the store and move on to getting that Christmas Spirit infused back in her life and bring back the inner child in her. I thought she played a great role and kept the character likable throughout no matter where she was in the progression of her story and character. Mark was great as well playing the hometown roots of the Christmas Spirit. You wanted to see them together in the end. It was what I was looking for in a Christmas movie to set the tone for the holiday season. The concept was fun and everyone can relate to growing up and losing the "magic" of the Christmas spirit. It makes you self reflect on what you would do different if you let the true meaning of Christmas take the lead. I would recommend it to set the tone for the holidays
Enjoyed this holiday movie
lismac-0741912 December 2019
I enjoy watching Christmas movies on Hallmark and Lifetime during the holiday season. This was a cute movie that got me into the holiday spirit. I enjoyed watching Lexi Lawson as the lead actress. She is a new face and a breath of fresh air! I would recommend this holiday movie!
It's a sappy, mushy, over the top Christmas movie
vallendoll-5994818 December 2021
Sometimes that's just what you are in the mood for. It's so sweet, and 100% positive and happy. It's over the top romantic. Which is what I expect from these type of movies. I'm not watching them for osca winning performances 😂 I would watch this one again.
So if you want a feel good, Christmas romance, then watch this. If they aren't your cup of tea. Then skip it. But don't get mad at it, for being exactly what it is supposed to be.
So if you want a feel good, Christmas romance, then watch this. If they aren't your cup of tea. Then skip it. But don't get mad at it, for being exactly what it is supposed to be.
Christmas Magic In The Air- lovely movie
sarah-4598412 December 2019
On a few websites I saw that this movie made top 10 for Lifetime Christmas movies so I wanted to check it out. My kids and I found ourselves really enjoying this movie. It's Lifetime and it's Christmas! A feel good, funny, fun loving movie with a magical element! I thought the lead girl did a really wonderful job! Each scene was full of personality - I found myself giggling often which is rare with lifetime movies. I hope to see her in more movies because she is very talented. I always love watching Beth ( as Carol) - she brings so much life to the roles she does and I love how she never said who her ' husband ' was. The toy store was so pretty too. Very Christmas! What more could you want during the holiday season!! Great Job Lifetime!
Great Movie
gin-3358513 December 2019
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