This is another of what I call a 'classic Hallmark movie': beautiful scenery, dress, props and sets; a warm story and a solid script; good acting; and plenty of Christmas spirit and festive cheer. I enjoyed this film. The setting in Vienna was beautiful. I first fell in love with Vienna while watching Before Sunrise (starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy), an excellent romance film by the way, and have been there several times since. It is a beautiful city. However, I am not sure I agree with Jess (played by Sarah Drew) when she says in the film, 'Philadelphia is the Vienna of the US'. It is a bit of a stretch with the comparison here. The story, overall, was pleasant to watch. I found myself engaged thru-out, which is a good sign (I did not, e.g., grab for my iPad during the movie). The dialogue on occasions was fun and cute. For example, Jess had lines such as 'tinsellitis', 'American Mary Poppins', 'how do you take your coffee? A tad too seriously', all of which made me laugh a little. The acting was very good. Sarah Drew had a strong performance. Brennan Elliott was pretty good too. My only critique here was regarding the chemistry between the two. I thought Sarah did well, but she could have been helped a bit more by Brennan. At times, he lacked that chemistry; it felt more like he was becoming friends than falling in love. The supporting cast performed well; Hallmark usually does a good job casting such roles. Overall, it is an enjoyable Christmas movie that provides some holiday warmth, spirit, and festive cheer. Fans of Hallmark will no doubt enjoy.
50 Reviews
Vienna is magical, the film is not
TheLittleSongbird5 April 2022
Christmas has always been my favourite time of year and it is always wonderful to see Vienna on screen, with it being such a beautiful place and often served well on camera. Hallmark is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to their Christmas output and their films overall and 2020 was definitely a variable year for them. 'Christmas in Vienna's' premise is one that could have gone either way, which tends to be the case with Hallmark Christmas films with similar plot lines.
While certainly not hating it, 'Christmas in Vienna' generally left me unimpressed. A case of the location stealing the show and making a huge positive impression, but also with too much that doesn't come off too well. 'Christmas in Vienna' is not one of the best 2020 Hallmark Christmas films ('Five Star Christmas', 'A Cranberry Christmas', 'Christmas with the Darlings'), but while there was worse from this year (i.e. 'The Christmas Ring') from a male lead and chemistry point of view 'Christmas in Vienna' is one of the weakest of the batch.
Am going to start with the good. First and foremost, the production values. 'Christmas in Vienna's' biggest star is Vienna (and it is the actual location this time) itself, which is nothing short of stunning. The camera clearly loves the locations too, because it is just as beautiful to watch without being too indulgent. The music is nostalgic and there is a sense of time and place, with an authentic Christmassy-feel and not being over-melancholic. It doesn't make the mistake of most Hallmark Christmas films in being too constant or too loud. There is some nice sympathetic direction going on here and there.
Sarah Drew does a good, charming job in the female lead role and while the character isn't complex she also isn't too perfect or has negative character traits exaggerated. The supporting cast fare decently too. Some moments of amusing and sweet dialogue and warmth and charm isn't completely absent.
Drew however deserved a much better leading man. Brennan Elliott comes over as very wooden and clinical here, there is no warmth to his performance and the personality isn't there. His character is also very one-dimensional, dull and hard to warm to because of his cold personality. His chemistry with Drew is lukewarm at best and mostly barely existent, didn't get the sense that they were in love and they weren't even that believable as friends. The relationship itself is not focused upon enough and is underwritten.
Furthermore, most of the dialogue is very vapid and can be too cheesy, silly and saccharine. The corn and sugar became too hard to take. The story is pretty much the same recycled plot elements seen in most Hallmark Christmas films with the only difference being the setting, while also being very thin and lacking in energy. 'Christmas in Vienna' works well as a travelogue and a love letter to Vienna but as a coherent and involving story it is a failure. Other parts of the direction are routine and character changes and motivations can happen out of the blue and too quickly, especially in the final quarter.
In conclusion, didn't quite click with me but see it for Vienna. 5/10.
While certainly not hating it, 'Christmas in Vienna' generally left me unimpressed. A case of the location stealing the show and making a huge positive impression, but also with too much that doesn't come off too well. 'Christmas in Vienna' is not one of the best 2020 Hallmark Christmas films ('Five Star Christmas', 'A Cranberry Christmas', 'Christmas with the Darlings'), but while there was worse from this year (i.e. 'The Christmas Ring') from a male lead and chemistry point of view 'Christmas in Vienna' is one of the weakest of the batch.
Am going to start with the good. First and foremost, the production values. 'Christmas in Vienna's' biggest star is Vienna (and it is the actual location this time) itself, which is nothing short of stunning. The camera clearly loves the locations too, because it is just as beautiful to watch without being too indulgent. The music is nostalgic and there is a sense of time and place, with an authentic Christmassy-feel and not being over-melancholic. It doesn't make the mistake of most Hallmark Christmas films in being too constant or too loud. There is some nice sympathetic direction going on here and there.
Sarah Drew does a good, charming job in the female lead role and while the character isn't complex she also isn't too perfect or has negative character traits exaggerated. The supporting cast fare decently too. Some moments of amusing and sweet dialogue and warmth and charm isn't completely absent.
Drew however deserved a much better leading man. Brennan Elliott comes over as very wooden and clinical here, there is no warmth to his performance and the personality isn't there. His character is also very one-dimensional, dull and hard to warm to because of his cold personality. His chemistry with Drew is lukewarm at best and mostly barely existent, didn't get the sense that they were in love and they weren't even that believable as friends. The relationship itself is not focused upon enough and is underwritten.
Furthermore, most of the dialogue is very vapid and can be too cheesy, silly and saccharine. The corn and sugar became too hard to take. The story is pretty much the same recycled plot elements seen in most Hallmark Christmas films with the only difference being the setting, while also being very thin and lacking in energy. 'Christmas in Vienna' works well as a travelogue and a love letter to Vienna but as a coherent and involving story it is a failure. Other parts of the direction are routine and character changes and motivations can happen out of the blue and too quickly, especially in the final quarter.
In conclusion, didn't quite click with me but see it for Vienna. 5/10.
travel show
SnoopyStyle6 December 2020
Jess Waters (Sarah Drew) is a concert violinist looking for her music inspiration. It's nothing more than a job now and a rather tiresome one for her. Her friend Tori Voight gets her a performing gig in Vienna and introduces her to cousin Mark Olsen (Brennan Elliott).
This is a Hallmark Christmas romance. I love Sarah Drew ever since Everwood. She's still great. There isn't much in terms of drama. There is barely a plot. It does have Vienna and that's the main attraction in this. It looks pretty. As a movie, it's rather bland. As a travel show, there is a good fifteen minutes.
This is a Hallmark Christmas romance. I love Sarah Drew ever since Everwood. She's still great. There isn't much in terms of drama. There is barely a plot. It does have Vienna and that's the main attraction in this. It looks pretty. As a movie, it's rather bland. As a travel show, there is a good fifteen minutes.
some good points
Kirpianuscus25 December 2020
The good point of film was, obvious, Vienna. The second good point -Sarah Drew effort to save a romance not so credible. The other good thing - the subtle reference to The Sound of Music. But, unfortunately, nothing more. Sure, a Halmark , so, the expectations are reasonable . But, against the not new recipe, it is not fair to ignore the potential of a real good story, sacrified for a too gray product of serie.
Show Me The Magic
atlasmb16 November 2020
I suggest that when Hallmark produces these holiday romance movies, the first order of business should be to cast two leads with demonstrable chemistry on film. Unfortunately, this film lacks adequate chemistry to make it memorable.
On the other hand, the performances of the two stars are adequate, If you overlook a poor imitation of violin finger work. And the child actors are actually great in their roles.
But the architectural wonders of Vienna cannot fix this story about two people who meet while at career crossroads. In the end, this is a romance and its most important element is the magical feeling of true love found.
On the other hand, the performances of the two stars are adequate, If you overlook a poor imitation of violin finger work. And the child actors are actually great in their roles.
But the architectural wonders of Vienna cannot fix this story about two people who meet while at career crossroads. In the end, this is a romance and its most important element is the magical feeling of true love found.
Beautiful city, dull Elliott
rann_rushing25 November 2020
I will never understand why Hallmark insists on casting Brennan Elliott as a leading man. He never connects with his leading ladies. He just always seems aloof. His best performance was as the villain in Kiss at Pine Lake, where his insincerity fits his character. Sarah Drew was wonderful carrying the movie. The rest of the cast was also very enjoyable. And the film captured the beauty of Vienna at Christmas time. Christmas in Europe is so much better than here in the States.
A Near Miss
jagfannn16 November 2020
Sarah Drew is so lovely and her chemistry with the cast was wonderful but the romance between her and Brennan Elliot just isn't believable. Elliot's character is too stiff and disinterested to be deserving of love from Drew's perfectly played, sweet and lovable character. This dynamic has worked in the past for Hallmark with Lacey Chabert in Crossword Mysteries and All of my heart, but misses the mark here. The acting is good between the leads, but you're left wanting better for Drew's character. The backdrop of Vienna is beautiful, it's a shame they didn't do a better job with casting the male lead, but it's still worth watching
Big disappointment
teepack-753121 December 2020
This may be the Countdown To Christmas movie that most disappointed me. I was expecting more. The scenery was lovely, but the plot was thinner than Santa Claus in June. I generally like Brennan Elliot, but his character was so hot and cold that he became unlikeable. I don't see how a romance could have developed between the two leads given how he behaved. Sarah Drew was great. Sorry she didn't have a better story to work with.
A little touch of Sound of Music
cgvsluis12 January 2022
I didn't see it until the end, but there is a little touch of The Sound Of Music...which is my all time favorite musical.
Vienna is absolutely gorgeous! Even more so at Christmas with all the lights, trees, Christmas market, candle arches, glühwein, advent candles, traditions...etc! This film is worth watching for its little bit of music history and the gorgeous Vienna at Christmas backdrop.
The story revolves around Jess, a concert violinist in Vienna for a holiday performance and a vacation. While in Vienna she looks up her college roommate who is there being the nanny to her widowed cousin's three children. The children are delightful and when Jess' friend gets an opportunity to sell her hand painted ornaments at the Christmas market...Jess takes over the looking after the three children. Being with Jess the three kids slowly start to come alive...something their father notices. Jess and Mark seem to have this undeniable attraction. Mark was raised in a military family and as a diplomat has continued the constant moving into his own life...which has been hard on his kids, especially after their mom passed away.
I loved this film and highly recommend watching it for the holidays! It is gorgeous, filled with beautiful music, Christmas traditions and a sweet family holiday romance with throwbacks to The Sound of Music.
Vienna is absolutely gorgeous! Even more so at Christmas with all the lights, trees, Christmas market, candle arches, glühwein, advent candles, traditions...etc! This film is worth watching for its little bit of music history and the gorgeous Vienna at Christmas backdrop.
The story revolves around Jess, a concert violinist in Vienna for a holiday performance and a vacation. While in Vienna she looks up her college roommate who is there being the nanny to her widowed cousin's three children. The children are delightful and when Jess' friend gets an opportunity to sell her hand painted ornaments at the Christmas market...Jess takes over the looking after the three children. Being with Jess the three kids slowly start to come alive...something their father notices. Jess and Mark seem to have this undeniable attraction. Mark was raised in a military family and as a diplomat has continued the constant moving into his own life...which has been hard on his kids, especially after their mom passed away.
I loved this film and highly recommend watching it for the holidays! It is gorgeous, filled with beautiful music, Christmas traditions and a sweet family holiday romance with throwbacks to The Sound of Music.
Sara Drew deserved a better love interest
kathytexan-1258515 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Sarah Drew was so lovely, vulnerable and gorgeous in this film. That makes me wonder why the character played by Brennan Elliott was so out of place. He seemed too old, burned out and uninterested. What a drip. I've enjoyed his performances in the past, but in this film, he was so wooden - even when depicting his pain - he came across like a block of ice. Maybe he was directed to do this. If so, the director blew it. On the other hand, the kids' performances were beautifully. portrayed. I thought each one was so endearing. Could've been a 9 or 10 but the dad was a dud.
Wanted to like it due to Vienna....but....
bmiller596 December 2020
The star of this movie was definitely the Vienna back drop. The story line was boring was boring and uninspiring. Brennan Elliot was mis cast in this role, and too bad because in other roles we've enjoyed him. Though only 5 years older than Sarah Drew he appeared old enough to be her father. Sarah Drew was OK, but it was dreadfully obvious she wasn't playing the violin.
That leaves Vienna which is why my rating was as high as it was. I was following around all the places in Vienna on Google. Great back drop, what a gorgeous city. Of all the 2020 Christmas movies we have seen this week, this was a major disappointment, it had so much promise.
That leaves Vienna which is why my rating was as high as it was. I was following around all the places in Vienna on Google. Great back drop, what a gorgeous city. Of all the 2020 Christmas movies we have seen this week, this was a major disappointment, it had so much promise.
Christmas in Vienna best movie if 2020
anndobies28 February 2021
I love this movie. It was great from the beginning to the end. I thought Brennan Elliott was superb in his role of Mark. I think the naysayers weren't paying attention to the dialogue. This is the first time I had seen Sarah Drew. All in all It was a great Christmas movie.
Cozy movie
limmet-7504327 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I honestly loved the setting, that it took place in Vienna and I visited all the Christmas markets there last year, which is when it they filmed it I assumed. Everything looked the same. So it was more of a nostalgic feel for me, looking at Vienna. The movie isn't anything new or great. The main character refused to learn german, which just seemed ridiculous to me. The plot of thin, their tragedy of moving to Switzerland, which is just a couple of hours away anyway by train abd her tragedy of quitting music but not having a plan B. The filming was great. Absolutely love Vienna, that kinda saved it.
A horrible match
rwl-9543016 November 2020
Once again Hallmark believes they can throw any two people together. This is one of the worst couples ever. As another reviewer commented, Sarah Drew deserved a better partner. There is absolutely no chemistry between these two and trying force one makes it only that much worse. As I have commented in previous reviews, a believable romance makes all the difference in the story line of the movie. Admittedly, I am not a Brennan Elliott fan and believe he is a dud when it comes to romance movies. He is like watching paint dry.
This is a copier of SOUND OF MUSIC in so many ways!!!!!!!
Thisismyyear20213 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie reminds me so much about the movie Sound of music the whole story in this movie is so similar like that movie 🎥 the way Brennan plays in the the beginning to closed up not letting anyone in except when Jess came along, Maria did the same in Sound of music!!!!!!
Christmas in Vienna
studioAT15 December 2022
I think people have been a bit harsh on this film.
It takes the standard/traditional Hallmark formula, sends it on location and adds a bit of 'The Sound of Music' in for good measures- what's not to like??
I don't think Brennan Elliot deserves the flak he's getting on this site either. Lets face it, being a Hallmark leading man is often a thankless task in the first place. You are very much playing second fiddle to the leading lady and unless you're Tyler Hynes it's very difficult to make your part sing.
Sarah Drew is great in her role, I hope Hallmark have signed her up for more films.
This film had enough lovely moments (and odd ones when the youngest daughters accent kept wandering) to carry it through and be more than enjoyable.
It takes the standard/traditional Hallmark formula, sends it on location and adds a bit of 'The Sound of Music' in for good measures- what's not to like??
I don't think Brennan Elliot deserves the flak he's getting on this site either. Lets face it, being a Hallmark leading man is often a thankless task in the first place. You are very much playing second fiddle to the leading lady and unless you're Tyler Hynes it's very difficult to make your part sing.
Sarah Drew is great in her role, I hope Hallmark have signed her up for more films.
This film had enough lovely moments (and odd ones when the youngest daughters accent kept wandering) to carry it through and be more than enjoyable.
Christmas in Vienna
JoBloTheMovieCritic29 November 2020
Vienna is the star
sonjagodbout20 November 2020
First, it's a Christmas movie, not Gone With The Wind. Love location movies, a great job of showcasing Vienna, one of the world's great cities. Acting is adequate, music is very well done. This is a well done Christmas movie.
The setting is great! Everything else, not so much.
savethewatchmaker18 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Considering this movie had the unbelievably festive city of Vienna as its backdrop, it's baffling how bland it ended up being. The setting is stunning (if you've been to Vienna before, it will make you reminisce, and if you want to go, it will encourage you to do so) and the movie gets credit where credit is due for truly hitting all the most beautiful spots in Vienna, but all aspects outside of the location completely lacked. The chemistry isn't there, the acting of some of the side characters is truly atrocious, and the conflict is annoying at best.
The relationship between Jess and Mark did not draw me in at all. A lot of the reviewers are really hitting hard at Brennan Elliott's acting, but I didn't find him any worse than Sarah Drew - both of them were very much average in their abilities (and that's not mentioning Sarah Drew's blatantly fake violin playing). The real problem is that together, they just don't have any spark whatsoever. Not helping the matter are their strained initial meetings, like when Jess asks him to dance the second time she sees him and he awkwardly rejects her, creating a weird speed bump in their chemistry that really didn't need to be there at all.
Then came the unrealistically perfect relationship Jess proceeds to have with Mark's family. She meets his kids once and all of them immediately take to her, more than happy to spend time with her and confide in her. The worst offender here is easily Mark's youngest child, whose acting is so stiff and terrible that it frequently took me out of the story. I realize she's a very young child, but Hallmark really has more talented kids to choose from who actually bother to show emotion.
The third nail in the movie's coffin came with the conflict of Mark potentially leaving Vienna because of his work, a conflict I found more irritating than anything else. The movie obviously tries to nudge the audience to side with Jess when she pushes Mark to completely ignore the ambitions he has for his career and stay in Vienna for the sake of his kids, and this was something I couldn't get over. As far as kids go, they're living a pretty privileged life, what with living in luxurious mansions in some of the most beautiful cities in the world while their father works a presitigious and steady job, but Jess acts as if relocating to Zurich (yet another beautiful city) is such a hardship.
And lastly, my spectrum for humor is pretty tolerant, jokes about how the German language sounds more "like sneezing" than real words are not just tired jokes, but from my perspective as a German, they're also not very funny. It's honestly just rude to make fun of any language (let alone one you don't even understand).
The relationship between Jess and Mark did not draw me in at all. A lot of the reviewers are really hitting hard at Brennan Elliott's acting, but I didn't find him any worse than Sarah Drew - both of them were very much average in their abilities (and that's not mentioning Sarah Drew's blatantly fake violin playing). The real problem is that together, they just don't have any spark whatsoever. Not helping the matter are their strained initial meetings, like when Jess asks him to dance the second time she sees him and he awkwardly rejects her, creating a weird speed bump in their chemistry that really didn't need to be there at all.
Then came the unrealistically perfect relationship Jess proceeds to have with Mark's family. She meets his kids once and all of them immediately take to her, more than happy to spend time with her and confide in her. The worst offender here is easily Mark's youngest child, whose acting is so stiff and terrible that it frequently took me out of the story. I realize she's a very young child, but Hallmark really has more talented kids to choose from who actually bother to show emotion.
The third nail in the movie's coffin came with the conflict of Mark potentially leaving Vienna because of his work, a conflict I found more irritating than anything else. The movie obviously tries to nudge the audience to side with Jess when she pushes Mark to completely ignore the ambitions he has for his career and stay in Vienna for the sake of his kids, and this was something I couldn't get over. As far as kids go, they're living a pretty privileged life, what with living in luxurious mansions in some of the most beautiful cities in the world while their father works a presitigious and steady job, but Jess acts as if relocating to Zurich (yet another beautiful city) is such a hardship.
And lastly, my spectrum for humor is pretty tolerant, jokes about how the German language sounds more "like sneezing" than real words are not just tired jokes, but from my perspective as a German, they're also not very funny. It's honestly just rude to make fun of any language (let alone one you don't even understand).
Christmas in Blandville
ginasharp16 November 2020
Not one of my favs. I felt this was bland for me. Acting of the side characters was awful! I just don't typically like when Hallmark focuses on kid characters which is what this movie did because they are awful!!! The music was beautiful but definitely not in my top Hallmark movies.
No chemistry ruins the movie
Isableue1129 November 2021
Disappointed
bookandcandle11 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Disappointed in this Hallmark movie because it involved too much with the children, plus the family performed as a group in the end instead of Jess performing solely. It was her concert and I wanted to hear her play, not one of the children who learned to play the violin in a few days and then her family singing with her. Plus, Jess' girlfriend smiling and overacting every minute in the movie like a jack-in-the-box. Total disappointment.
Wonderful movie
mvisser-4838431 December 2020
This was a wonderful movie. I liked the setting in Vienna that showed beautiful buildings. It wasn't the usual making snowmen and cutting a tree that are in so many Hallmark movies.
The cast was very believable and the leads were great. I enjoyed the secondary romance as well.
A great movie from first to last.
A mediocre screwball comedy set in Christmas in Vienna
Dunham1615 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Works for me as a run of the mill 1930s mode omantic screwball comedy but little else. Misses the elements of the heroine of a successful Hallmark Romance, the "echtes Wiener Blut" spirit of Vienna and the true meaning of Christmas. Rarely do the high standards lo Hallmark allow rhis calibre of product to be shown as premiere.
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