Expectations were mixed here for 'Making Spirits Bright'. Taylor Cole has always been inconsistent for me, in some roles she is charming, in others she's too icy. Am less familiar with Carlo Marks, but what has been seen of him has been pretty amiable if not mind-blowing. Was a bit mixed on the premise, with it not being novel territory but did like that it did try to do something different with the feuding. Kind of like Romeo and Juliet or Hatfields and McCoys set at Christmas.
'Making Spirits Bright' as far as the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films go is somewhere around middle of the pack. Meaning that it's watchable and inoffensive but also unexceptional and nothing out of the ordinary, with some good things but also some things that came off a bit ehh. Nothing is inherently awful here, it's never on the same level of for example Paul Greene's truly awful character in 'Christmas CEO', but not an awful lot amazed at the same time.
There are good things here. Cole does not come over as an ice queen and is instead quite engaging, with her character not being too perfect or having exaggerated flaws. Marks is also appealing, looking relaxed and not overplaying or under-acting. Their chemistry, while low key, is sweet, natural and is definitely there, the change not being too fast as it could easily have been with this type of story.
It looks good, some lovely scenery here as usual and loved the lights, which reminded me fondly of the annual Christmas parade that went through our town for charity. The music is pleasantly festive and the placement is just about right. Some of the supporting cast are solid, primarily the parents. Did like the sister relationship, which had a lot of heart.
Having said all of this, the supporting cast did vary. Was also not a fan of the friend character, who came over as obnoxious and over-zealous. The dialogue generally could have been tighter and been more natural. The cheese and schmaltz can be a little much. The story has charming and touching moments, but generally felt too low key and safe with not an awful lot new. The business subplot was too much of a filler distraction that didn't have that much to it.
Overall, just like my expectations mixed feelings here. 5/10.
'Making Spirits Bright' as far as the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films go is somewhere around middle of the pack. Meaning that it's watchable and inoffensive but also unexceptional and nothing out of the ordinary, with some good things but also some things that came off a bit ehh. Nothing is inherently awful here, it's never on the same level of for example Paul Greene's truly awful character in 'Christmas CEO', but not an awful lot amazed at the same time.
There are good things here. Cole does not come over as an ice queen and is instead quite engaging, with her character not being too perfect or having exaggerated flaws. Marks is also appealing, looking relaxed and not overplaying or under-acting. Their chemistry, while low key, is sweet, natural and is definitely there, the change not being too fast as it could easily have been with this type of story.
It looks good, some lovely scenery here as usual and loved the lights, which reminded me fondly of the annual Christmas parade that went through our town for charity. The music is pleasantly festive and the placement is just about right. Some of the supporting cast are solid, primarily the parents. Did like the sister relationship, which had a lot of heart.
Having said all of this, the supporting cast did vary. Was also not a fan of the friend character, who came over as obnoxious and over-zealous. The dialogue generally could have been tighter and been more natural. The cheese and schmaltz can be a little much. The story has charming and touching moments, but generally felt too low key and safe with not an awful lot new. The business subplot was too much of a filler distraction that didn't have that much to it.
Overall, just like my expectations mixed feelings here. 5/10.