Merry & Bright (2019 TV Movie) User Reviews

Don't hate Jodie

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 29 November 2019]

Sweetin is probably never going to do much better than Hallmark. And many of the negative things other reviewers have said about this movie are at least partially true, but I think they are over emphasized. I managed to enjoy this movie just as I actually have enjoyed several of Sweetin's movies on Hallmark in the past. Perhaps that's because I haven't seen any incarnation of Full House since it ran the first time, but I have seen Sweetin in several good Christmas movies. Sweetin's Full and Fuller House image is hard to overcome.

I readily acknowledge that this movie lacks the serious conflict, or tension as one reviewer described it. It uses a worn out premise that I never liked that much to begin with - save-the-family-company. Yet we never really feel like anything really bad is going to happen to the company. There is the token conflict between Cate and Gabe near the end which is similar to so many others that we've seen before. And it has the way too happy Hallmark ending.

When a story follows the old worn out themes and maybe lacks some spark, rely on the relationship. I enjoyed watching the relationship. I actually thought Sweetin's personality fit what they were going for with Cate. Cate generally feels like mostly all is well with the world and she travels through life trying to honor that and honor the traditions and principles she grew up with and most of all trying to do good for others. She wins over Gabe and the movie spends enough time with them together to make it enjoyable rather than beating the negative things to death.

Did anyone else perk up at the last line? I'll call it a pun or some sort of double meaning.

I've seen some miserable Christmas movies already this season, but this one I will probably watch again next year.

If you're a hallmark Christmas movie fan

[janinesweitzer · 7/10 · 30 November 2019]

Okay, I totally agree that this movie was extremely predictable and sappy to no end, but I actually thought both Jodi Sweetin and Andrew Walker were very good in their roles. The acting wasn't horrible as others have stated, I actually thought their acting was quite good! It's a cute Christmas movie for all of you Christmas movie fans! Its innocent enough to watch with the whole fam. It's nice to sit down and watch a movie with my 13 and 10 year old girls and not have to worry about explaining questionable stuff. It's just pure, romantic, Christmas fun! I don't know why people have to be so negative about movies just because they're a good old fashioned movie without all of the gore, foul language and sexuality. Just find your Christmas spirit and a little joy! Lol

A very nice movie

[bachristoferson · 7/10 · 8 November 2019]

Watching all Hallmark Christmas movies I've seen good and bad. I can't understand the poorer reviews. It was fun, lively and left me with a good feeling.

Merry & Bright

[casmowill · 7/10 · 13 November 2019]

Well after watching this movie I enjoyed I think the Mom hiding the dog more than anything The movie overall was good. Andrew Walker is great in everything Jodie Sweetin is growing on me. Totally not relevant but her eyelashes are distracting. She's grown up to be a beautiful actress and the excessive eyelashes aren't necessary. Cut them back Jodie you're a lovely woman already!

No Magical Romance Here

[bellamammamia · 6/10 · 7 November 2019]

The candy cane company storyline had promise however this Christmas movie lacks magic. I enjoyed Sharon Lawrence's character (Joy) the most, especially her scenes with the dog. Jodie Sweetin (Cate) and Andrew W. Walker (Gabe) pulled off "business associates and friends" okay but failed miserably at romance. There's no sparkle or warmth between these characters. Instead, it felt like there was an underlying animosity; their mouths say one thing but their body language says something entirely different. If you're looking for a romantic magical Christmas movie, I'd skip this one.

Merry & Bright

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 6/10 · 10 November 2019]

6/10 - a decent Christmas flick that benefits from talented leads

Good but not great

[jsheets-54068 · 6/10 · 4 November 2019]

I like more chemistry between leading characters. This one just didn't have the spark.

It's Christmas at Hallmark!

[dsb-02142 · 8/10 · 27 November 2019]

I've read some of the other reviews that don't think much of this movie. That's too bad - I thought it was Good! Cute premise and well acted. There are several of the new movies that I think bombed, but not this one.

Nice even though predictable.

[t-mccheyne · 7/10 · 28 December 2019]

Cates mum isn't old enough to be his mum...

Love anything Andrew is in, so I'd watch it anytime. Nice chemistry ..

Ugh

[toncincin · 3/10 · 4 November 2019]

Not a fan of Jodie Sweetin. Her acting is still reminiscent of her Full House acting. She hasn't grown - still playing that little girl. It's unfortunate - Andrew Walker is usually enough. Hallmark - please don't pair these two together again. You're bringing Andrew down. In fact - stop casting Jodie Sweetin with ANYOBE. She's just not good... haven't enjoyed any of the Hallmark movies she's been in. (Not big on her Full House sister, Candace Cameron Bure, either ... but at least Candace can act a little better!)

Liked,it

[manfredpeter-09628 · 8/10 · 15 July 2020]

I understand some negative review but I found this one to be very light and calming. No real drama, just moved along nicely. The romance was believable because the two,were able to,get to know one another and then Andrew Walkers characters revelation about his feeling at home in small town. I think Jodie sweetin did good job with an understated but smart and confident character. This movie actually put me in a good mood. I'll take that any day.

A 5 gets a 9

[JoeTroiani · 6/10 · 3 November 2019]

This was a typical Hallmark movie. It is one of the better ones. Good acting and nice plot line, which is used in everyone of the hallmark movies, but that's why we watch them. So it is satisfying in that way. In all of these movies we usually get a beautiful girl, a 9 or 10 on the scale. And she falls for a handsome guy who is also 9 or 10. I wish they would have more average folks some times. Here they get close. The female lead is a 5 or 6 at best, but the male lead is 9. I actually like her more than him. Her acting is better and she is more average looking so she more relatable. She is also a better actor. I guess I'm nitpicking but with hallmark Xmas movies, if you seen one, you seen them all.

Not merry or bright enough

[TheLittleSongbird · 4/10 · 25 August 2020]

Hallmark are very variable when it comes to their Christmas offerings. Some are surprisingly good and did impress me, as long as one does not expect anything award worthy (it's not that kind of film). Some are decent. Some are mediocre at best. Some are very bad. And then there are some that are in between. Was not expecting much from 'Merry and Bright' in all honesty, having not been that enamoured by the company's 2019 output, not being that excited by the premise and being another non-fan of Jodie Sweetin.

Still watched 'Merry and Bright' for completest sake, one of my main reasons for seeing Hallmark's and Lifetime's Christmas films. As well as my undying lifelong love of the holiday itself, was my favourite time of year as a child and is still special to me. Am going to have to agree with those that didn't care for 'Merry and Bright' all that much and found it a mediocre at best offering. Not one of their all time worst but towards the weaker end as far as their 2019 output goes.

'Merry and Bright' has good things. The best thing about it is Andrew Walker, who does say his lines with feeling and understanding of wide range of emotions and gives a dignified turn that deserved a better film. Sharon Lawrence does what she can with far too little, the material she has isn't worthy of her either but she at least gave it one hundred percent.

It looks good, not looking rushed-looking or under budget. There are moments of charm and smile-worthy moments.

That are sadly too far and between. Do have to agree with all that commented negatively on Sweetin's performance, far too cold and robotic like she had barely rehearsed her scenes and with no idea of how to say her lines. She has no discernible chemistry with Walker, they seem so distant from each other and one never any tension or love between them. Sweetin's character has nothing to her, a dull character that annoyed me too. The supporting cast try but nobody other than Lawrence, who deserved a heck of a lot better, stands out. None of the characters are well developed, worn stereotypes really, and only Walker's comes close to being investable and that is namely down to how Walker plays him.

Like many Hallmark film, the music never sounds authentic and is intrusive when it's used. The dialogue has more cheese than the cheesiest of cheeseburgers and even fruit sherberts don't have this amount of cloying sugar. The premise has been done to death countless times every year and has been tired for years, nothing new is done with it here. Just pure Hallmark formula with an overused setting, but with no real charm, heart or tension. There was just nothing there apart from a few sporadic moments. The ending is contrived and obvious from the start.

Overall, mediocre. 4/10

Had some gaps for me, but okay movie

[dontakeitpersonal · 7/10 · 27 December 2020]

Well, all the elements are there. I liked the little twist at the end, just thought that it would have been the guy to still 'save' her business. in the end she took care of it by herself, and for some reason the proposal at the end didn't feel right. Overall it was ok.

Light, Brisk Hallmark Holiday Romance

[jeffwoods-931-500672 · 10/10 · 16 December 2019]

I had a lot of fun with this film, and I'll probably watch it a dozen more times before Christmas. The holiday romance tropes are ever present here, hitting a lot of the Hallmark movie traditions and following the usual formula to the letter. Jodi Sweetin makes a perfect Hallmark heroine and I'm excited to see more of her!

Meh it's Alright

[ashcard · 5/10 · 4 November 2019]

I am a huge fan of these Christmas Hallmark Movie troupes BUT I found it lacking. I look forward to watching these formula movies but this particular movie made me reach for my phone a lot...

Cast

[judyharl · 10/10 · 19 July 2020]

Not a real fan of Jodie Sweetin but always love Andrew Walker .The chemistry is great. Love the story of the Candy Canes supporting cast is a win win . Very good Hallmark movie . Thank you

Lack of tension

[lhollan · 2/10 · 3 November 2019]

One of Hallmark's lead actors, Andrew W. Walker, had little to work with here. I'm afraid the plot fell down around him. His usual intense aura was met with a lack of dynamics and boring steadiness from his female lead who skipped along in the plot with no peaks and valleys. The storyline was rather dull and...well...who doesn't love chocolate!!?? If you like AWW, take it in, but don't expect to be drawn into anything interesting. The writing was pretty bad.

Merry and Bright Christmas

[alexgibbsa · 10/10 · 30 December 2021]

I really love this movie. I like that end up finding love with each other even though they didn't like each other in the beginning of the movie but one year later he proposes to her. And this is a great heartwarming Christmas movie.

Dull and boring...

[ronalamont-91472 · 2/10 · 3 November 2019]

Usually Andrew can bring a sparkle to any of his Hallmark movies but he had nothing to work with here. A lame script and a dreadful leading lady. She rushes through the script as if it's a cold read with absolutely no inflection or feeling. It's an overused storyline and together they just seem to be going through the motions in time to get home for Xmas dinner. Very disappointing.

Andrew Walker

[sfranks-24486 · 8/10 · 28 December 2019]

I probably wouldn't give this as high a rating except for anything with Andrew Walker is going to add points. I did not like that it was the same old story of saving something at Christmas. Oh and it had the dead relative storyline that was so popular in the 2019 Hallmark movies

Skip this one

[phd_travel · 4/10 · 6 November 2019]

The story is too similar to other Hallmark movies. Save the struggling family business run by her. He's an outside consultant. Candy cane isn't interesting enough. Jodi Sweetin talks in a repetitive monotone. Andrew Walker sports a shorter hair style than usual that doesn't suit him - makes him look gaunt.

Skip this one.

One of my favorites!

[nicki_adamson · 9/10 · 12 November 2019]

The story line and acting is so good in this hallmark film! I saved it on my DVR to watch again!

thin ice

[kauling · 4/10 · 6 January 2020]

If you are a Hallmark die-hard, no doubt you'll like this movie. The movies touches all bases that make up the Hallmark template. However there are some scripts that Andrew Walker should just walk away from and I think this was such a role. Maybe he alone can carry a production like this, but that satisfies only the Hallmark faithful.

cute movie

[stacy-47482 · 10/10 · 16 January 2020]

Why is everyone so harsh! This movie was cute! Jodie is not an A list actress but she does well in these hallmark movies. I enjoyed it and a few others she is in!