One of the better Hallmark premieres this year so far. I don't know why other reviewers aren't mentioning Clarke Peters, but he killed it as usual. People pointing out inaccuracies with finance in this movie like there aren't countless inaccuracies in every single Hallmark Christmas movie. A top 3 for Hallmark Xmas in 2019 I am sure of it.
47 Reviews
Finally a different story!
MovieQween-3362217 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I liked how this story was more original! It involves more than just two characters falling in love. This plot is more about family, helping one another and discovering what's important to yourself. Julie (Autumn Reeser) and Nick (Jesse Metcalfe) are cute together and Jesse's acting definitely comes to life in the second half. I always usually love Autumn's movies, she's one of the better Hallmark actresses in my opinion. The story mostly centers on a Christmas tree lot owner named Clem! On some down luck, Nick is offered a job at the Christmas tree lot to help Clem our. He is an older gentleman who is close to Julie and her son. Julie's father, who just recently passed away, was great friends with Clem and he promised to look after Julie and her son. Nick starts to realize he loves the work he is doing, connecting with and helping people. It's a little complicated to explain the plot but if you like these two actors, you'll like this one! You can probably guess where the story goes but there is more heart to this story than I expected. It's definitely been one of the better Hallmark Christmas movies of 2019 so far!!
Clarke Peters steals the show !
Lew7775 December 2019
I was expecting a typical Hallmark Christmas romance with all about the 2 leads & their stories. However the glue that holds everything together was the natural excellent performance by Clarke Peters as Clem, who owns a Christmas tree-lot. Autumn Reeser adds another classy believable role as a Mum who has crippling bills to pay from her Dad's medical treatments , being badly treated by finance companies who own the debt. Jesse Metcalf does pretty ok too as a recently-fired Investment expert who finds himself again & gets to give back to others at the best time of the year ! Less typical than most Hallmark seasonal films, and all the better for that !
Good one
kauling4 January 2020
When I sat down to watch this movie I was skeptical on whether I would like it, surprise, surprise, I rather enjoyed it. I have seen Jesse Metcalfe in previous Hallmark productions, he runs hot & cold in my book, but I found him likeable in this role. I have always enjoyed Autumn Reeser, her acting did not disappoint. But the show stealer was Peters (Clem), this guy hit it out of the park. The interaction between the three was amazing. This was one of the better Hallmark productions of 2019.
Christmas Under the Stars
JoBloTheMovieCritic27 November 2019
Leaves u wanting more.
hornet_9919 November 2019
Hallmark hit a home run with this cast. Not to mention the great story. Reeser has mastered the "struggling single mother" role. I would love to see a sequel and not necessarily a Christmas sequel. That's how good I think the story is.
Not done before scenario for a change
phd_travel18 November 2019
Liked the cast together. Jesse Metcalf and Autumn Reeser make a compatible looking couple looks wise. She isn't silly looking like some.
The story starts off a bit more interesting than usual. He's been laid off from an investment firm. At least the story doesn't have a completely done to death set up. What's irritating is that she's angry with him for working in finance even though he isn't responsible for her troubles. Unreasonable for sure. Good thing he doesn't have to sacrifice his career for love for a change.
The story starts off a bit more interesting than usual. He's been laid off from an investment firm. At least the story doesn't have a completely done to death set up. What's irritating is that she's angry with him for working in finance even though he isn't responsible for her troubles. Unreasonable for sure. Good thing he doesn't have to sacrifice his career for love for a change.
Refreshing Plot!
tmartin-5397717 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watch Hallmark Christmas movies a lot and the old formula sure gets tiring but this was refreshing! Two people on different tracks but yet brought together by a common purpose. Clem's story was authentic, relatable and believable. Autumn was very good in this role. It showed her diversity as an actor. Plus the kid, Matt, wasn't whiny or over the top. Nick made a nice turn for the better and didn't have to beat out some other boyfriend for Julie's affection. This is my favorite so far of the 2019 premieres.
Don't get distracted
Jackbv12319 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I have been guilty as a reviewer for getting hung up on a ridiculous premise and not enjoying the movie. I will probably do it again since reviewing can be so subjective.
This movie has a fairly unique premise and story. Unfortunately both have real problems meeting the world of reality. Many romance novels use gambling debts as a vehicle to pass the debt on to children, because although legally children aren't responsible for parents debt, those who collect gambling debts don't always strictly follow the law. But we couldn't do that in this movie because Grandpa has to be a stellar human being with no apparent faults. (There are ways parents medical bills can pass on to children, but they don't seem to apply in this case. One that I faced personally was after I had collected inheritance. Up to a point in time I was also responsible for debts which must be settled as an obligation prior to inheritance.) Likewise there were other legal mechanics during the movie that seemed funky. Fortunately Julie did not finish the sentence that started "They said that if I don't pay by December 31, then ..." That's because there is no valid ending to that sentence other than perhaps filing a lawsuit which she could easily win since she already paid.
But I digress. Forget everything in the previous paragraph because that's just stuff. The details were poorly worked out, but the idea was what counted and this was an unusual approach to that story line.
More important is the interaction between the characters. There is tremendous loyalty. There's family love and nostalgia. There's love and generosity. The is helping those in need. There is an optimistic and enthusiastic kid. (Actually two if you count Julie's student.) And there is a romance developing. (Another irritating detail in the story is how Julie gets very angry about Nick's past employment history. This too seems a stretch.)
I thought the two leads did have chemistry and their performances were supported by several other characters. Clem himself was a very interesting character and added a lot to the movie. Clem was probably equally as much a main character as Nick and Julie.
I chose to press on and enjoy the good things in the movie despite some irritating aspects with the details.
This movie has a fairly unique premise and story. Unfortunately both have real problems meeting the world of reality. Many romance novels use gambling debts as a vehicle to pass the debt on to children, because although legally children aren't responsible for parents debt, those who collect gambling debts don't always strictly follow the law. But we couldn't do that in this movie because Grandpa has to be a stellar human being with no apparent faults. (There are ways parents medical bills can pass on to children, but they don't seem to apply in this case. One that I faced personally was after I had collected inheritance. Up to a point in time I was also responsible for debts which must be settled as an obligation prior to inheritance.) Likewise there were other legal mechanics during the movie that seemed funky. Fortunately Julie did not finish the sentence that started "They said that if I don't pay by December 31, then ..." That's because there is no valid ending to that sentence other than perhaps filing a lawsuit which she could easily win since she already paid.
But I digress. Forget everything in the previous paragraph because that's just stuff. The details were poorly worked out, but the idea was what counted and this was an unusual approach to that story line.
More important is the interaction between the characters. There is tremendous loyalty. There's family love and nostalgia. There's love and generosity. The is helping those in need. There is an optimistic and enthusiastic kid. (Actually two if you count Julie's student.) And there is a romance developing. (Another irritating detail in the story is how Julie gets very angry about Nick's past employment history. This too seems a stretch.)
I thought the two leads did have chemistry and their performances were supported by several other characters. Clem himself was a very interesting character and added a lot to the movie. Clem was probably equally as much a main character as Nick and Julie.
I chose to press on and enjoy the good things in the movie despite some irritating aspects with the details.
Clarke Peters
Kirpianuscus10 November 2020
Half of virtues of film are contributions of Clarke Peters. The story of his character, his performance, the social aspects too , as the parenthood definition are the good points of this charming halmark film. And, no doubts, the chemistry between Autumn Reeser and Jess Metcalf is far to be bad. But Clarke Peters remains the pillar for a film not different but well nuanced.
Good Enough
PennyReviews23 January 2020
Though the premisses of the story were nice and there were some touching moments and fmaily dynamics, there were some scenes that were just ridiculous. Like the one when the leading lady got mad with the male lead for no reason. But the tree merchant story was nice.
An Excellent film and the type of film Hallmark should do MORE of
mcarneil-0988222 November 2019
This was an amazing and beautiful movie that was not just about a holiday romance. This film was also about spreading kindness/helping people and how simple acts can change a person for the better. This film had an amazing amount of depth for a Hallmark Holiday film. Autumn Reeser, Jesse Metcalfe and Clarke Peters were absolutely wonderful. This is the type of film I wish Hallmark would do more of.
Passable
VetteRanger5 December 2019
This is a slow-paced movie about a high-powered investment broker who fails on a big gamble and gets fired. Oddly, he takes a minimum wage job at a Christmas tree lot, getting much sage advice from the elderly man who has run it for decades.
There is an interstitial romance with a school teacher with medical debt, but that plot line is almost invisible.
This isn't a dynamite movie, but it's better than much of the 2019 Hallmark crop.
There is an interstitial romance with a school teacher with medical debt, but that plot line is almost invisible.
This isn't a dynamite movie, but it's better than much of the 2019 Hallmark crop.
Metcalf only star
raronhiarakwas18 November 2019
Story line is unbelievable because so far fictional that is so untrue you can follow it to enjoy. Kids are not responsible for parents debt unless joint account.and medical bills are not one of them. Another one a high power trader is to conceded to even take that type of job his ego would prevent it. Sad it was made into a movie and now predictable.
expecting the worst - but up-to-date issues in the script gave relevance
iranu-741957 November 2020
Acting - fair, Lighting, Editing, Sound all good. It is always shocking when watching these poor exercises in film-making when you look at the date . This one was knocked off in 2019 - but it feels like it could be 1980. Clarke Peters delivering his lines at snail's pace and over-building the part was a distraction - but tolerable. Not a bad Hallmark cookie-cutter effort .
This movie was just ok.
ctwele-3265323 October 2020
I HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED!!!
mayhugh-9262617 November 2019
So my expectations for this movie were very high I love Jesse Metcalf and Autumn Resser and I was not disappointed. Together the chemistry between them is so good. I think this movie has more depth to it then other Hallmark movies. It felt more like a Christmas movie with real life people struggling with daily issues. I loved all the different layers to the characters and the raw emotions they showed. This is definitely one of my favorite Hallmark movies. And my favorite one so far from the 2019 Countdown to Christmas!
Christmas Under the Stars
mitchellrharl27 December 2020
Nice car, wanna show me what it can do?
adamjohns-425752 December 2020
A nice change of story, although it's still the typical boy meets girl. The characters are all likeable and it's not just about the main two.
Jesse Metcalfe is actually quite lovely in this one, a much nicer character than the one he played in "Christmas Next Door".
The falling out she has is a bit daft and out of proportion, but otherwise it flows without issues.
Jesse Metcalfe is actually quite lovely in this one, a much nicer character than the one he played in "Christmas Next Door".
The falling out she has is a bit daft and out of proportion, but otherwise it flows without issues.
A Glass of Eggnog Half Full
parksidedrive17 November 2019
The movie and its premise was enjoyable. Autumn Reeser never fails to deliver a good performance. Metcalfe just can not keep up with Reeser and Peters investment into their roles. They make the movie memorable and give layers to story. This story has drama. Metcalfe just can not deliver that message.
Another not so great 2019 Premiere
ssc717 November 2019
Instead of the woman and the high power job it's the man and all the Lifetime movies that have that theme end the same. Zero chemistry. The only thing that was good out of this one was Clem. Won't go on my watch list for next year.
One of the Best of 2019 Countdown to Christmas
doctorsmoothlove18 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In an avalanche of Christmas films in 2019, it's a shame that a film like "Christmas Under the Stars" will get buried under many other formulaic bores. Here's a film with real people struggling with issues many of us can relate to wrapped up in the guise of a Holiday Hallmark movie. The tropes are here but unlike many of these films there's a backbone reminiscent of It's a Wonderful Life.
A single mother, Julie, played by Autumn Reeser is struggling to comfort her son due to her father's death and deal with his remaining medical debt. Reeser is an effective actress at portraying an everyman you could believe lives in your town. She finds out from her beau, Nick (Jesse Metcalfe), that the medical debt was sold to a new debt collector. Nick, the film's Hot Guy has recently been fired from his financial advising firm. He aimlessly walks through the street one day when a kindly old man by the name of Clem (Clarke Peters) offers him a job.
Peters is excellent as the old man. He is beaten down by the reality that his wife is dead, and he has no reason to hope for anything good will happen. He initially seems like the pillar of strength and slowly falls apart. Nick, on the other hand, gets stronger as they work together. Julie has a lot to do with that. The film establishes that Nick's businessman father wasn't a good communicator. The two of them fall in love, perhaps because they each admire the perseverance of the other person.
The film is a refreshing portrayal of the value of having a community of people who care about you in your life. It does this subtly by showing positive changes in all of the characters when other people take an interest in them. This even extends to a subplot with one of the students in Julie's science class.
Many of these made-for-tv films regardless of the channel are really fantasy films where no one has any real world problems. I believe this is a result of the commercialization of Christmas. It's easier to sell fantasy. This film is grounded in reality and refreshing in context of the genre as it now is. It's the best kind of Christmas film. The only misfortune is the forced abrupt ending neatly tying up plot threads.
A single mother, Julie, played by Autumn Reeser is struggling to comfort her son due to her father's death and deal with his remaining medical debt. Reeser is an effective actress at portraying an everyman you could believe lives in your town. She finds out from her beau, Nick (Jesse Metcalfe), that the medical debt was sold to a new debt collector. Nick, the film's Hot Guy has recently been fired from his financial advising firm. He aimlessly walks through the street one day when a kindly old man by the name of Clem (Clarke Peters) offers him a job.
Peters is excellent as the old man. He is beaten down by the reality that his wife is dead, and he has no reason to hope for anything good will happen. He initially seems like the pillar of strength and slowly falls apart. Nick, on the other hand, gets stronger as they work together. Julie has a lot to do with that. The film establishes that Nick's businessman father wasn't a good communicator. The two of them fall in love, perhaps because they each admire the perseverance of the other person.
The film is a refreshing portrayal of the value of having a community of people who care about you in your life. It does this subtly by showing positive changes in all of the characters when other people take an interest in them. This even extends to a subplot with one of the students in Julie's science class.
Many of these made-for-tv films regardless of the channel are really fantasy films where no one has any real world problems. I believe this is a result of the commercialization of Christmas. It's easier to sell fantasy. This film is grounded in reality and refreshing in context of the genre as it now is. It's the best kind of Christmas film. The only misfortune is the forced abrupt ending neatly tying up plot threads.
Sweet story with a few problems
herrcarter-9216130 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
At its heart, Christmas Under the Stars is a sweet, feel-good story with a good message. It's not a perfect movie, but it has a lot of heart. The performances were great, especially from Clarke Peters, who played Clem, the wise, old Christmas tree lot owner. The strength of this movie was the relationships between the characters. Our hero Nick steps outside his familiar world of big money and lavish spending to work as a humble Christmas tree lot employee, and learns valuable life lessons from Clem and from single mom Julie and her son Matt. He has not had a mother most of his life and his relationship with his father is superficial. His developing relationships with these folks are the most genuine human interaction that he has had in his life for a long time. Nick learns that giving back to others and helping are more important than money and acquiring a prestigious job.
I'm sad that such a nice story was saddled with some kind of glaringly stupid plot points. The most obvious is how Julie is saddled with medical debt from her father that the insurance has already paid. The evil, heartless corporation is a staple of Hallmark movies, but it has to be believable. Coming up with this scenario where Julie will be charged twice for a bill that's already been paid is just stupid. Equally stupid was Julie's over-the-top reaction to the revelation that Nick had once had the evil corporation as an investment client. She deems this as sufficient cause to brush off an obviously good guy who she likes and who her son likes. This, of course, is the middle-of-the-relationship bump that Hallmark seems to require. More often than not, as in this case, the reason for one person to diss their potential love interest is silly and seems fabricated.
The other thing that I didn't like was that the romance between Nick and Julie seemed kind of flat. The relationships between Nick and Clem and Nick and her son Matt seemed more developed than the relationship between Nick and Julie. I wasn't feeling a lot of chemistry between them, either. I think this movie was trying to say and do a lot of things, and the romance kind of got shoved to the back burner.
Everything was wrapped up at the end in a neat tidy bow. It all seemed a bit too perfect. You had Nick get his dream job, this time with a "good" investment bank. You had Julie's medical debt get purchased from the "evil" bank by the "good" bank, who promised to vacate it. You had a miraculous deal being done by the developers, which allowed Clem to continue operating his Christmas tree lot into perpetuity. You had the strained relationship between Nick and his dad instantly mended, as if by magic. And, of course, you had Nick and Julie getting together, his sin of once working for the evil corporation having been quickly forgiven. Life can have happy endings, but they are seldom this perfect.
So, just enjoy this movie for what it is. A feel-good Christmas movie with some great character relationships, good morals and a bit of romance thrown in. Suspend your disbelief about some of the more out-there plot points and you'll love it.
I'm sad that such a nice story was saddled with some kind of glaringly stupid plot points. The most obvious is how Julie is saddled with medical debt from her father that the insurance has already paid. The evil, heartless corporation is a staple of Hallmark movies, but it has to be believable. Coming up with this scenario where Julie will be charged twice for a bill that's already been paid is just stupid. Equally stupid was Julie's over-the-top reaction to the revelation that Nick had once had the evil corporation as an investment client. She deems this as sufficient cause to brush off an obviously good guy who she likes and who her son likes. This, of course, is the middle-of-the-relationship bump that Hallmark seems to require. More often than not, as in this case, the reason for one person to diss their potential love interest is silly and seems fabricated.
The other thing that I didn't like was that the romance between Nick and Julie seemed kind of flat. The relationships between Nick and Clem and Nick and her son Matt seemed more developed than the relationship between Nick and Julie. I wasn't feeling a lot of chemistry between them, either. I think this movie was trying to say and do a lot of things, and the romance kind of got shoved to the back burner.
Everything was wrapped up at the end in a neat tidy bow. It all seemed a bit too perfect. You had Nick get his dream job, this time with a "good" investment bank. You had Julie's medical debt get purchased from the "evil" bank by the "good" bank, who promised to vacate it. You had a miraculous deal being done by the developers, which allowed Clem to continue operating his Christmas tree lot into perpetuity. You had the strained relationship between Nick and his dad instantly mended, as if by magic. And, of course, you had Nick and Julie getting together, his sin of once working for the evil corporation having been quickly forgiven. Life can have happy endings, but they are seldom this perfect.
So, just enjoy this movie for what it is. A feel-good Christmas movie with some great character relationships, good morals and a bit of romance thrown in. Suspend your disbelief about some of the more out-there plot points and you'll love it.
Very bad for a Hallmark
jds01-803-9059718 November 2019
Not bad, but not that great either
Whatcanisayiloveroastingabadmovi7 November 2021
I wasn't feeling the chemistry between the leads. It feels like they just put two attractive people together and were like eh good enough lol. The acting also could have been a bit better, though maybe that was just weirdly worded dialogue. The actor that played Clem stole the show. All in all I wouldn't say it's terrible movie, but it's not that great either. It's a family friendly film so it's got that going for it.
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