This is my 4th Hallmark Christmas movie of the 2020 season. I would put it towards the top of the list. I like the title of another review on here: 'You've got phone'. Indeed, most of the dialogue between the two leads was via their mobile phones. That said, it did not take away from their chemistry, I think. I thought Alvina August was great in this regard. I have not seen Eion Bailey too often in Hallmark films, but his performance was decent. The supporting cast was also very good. Again, the plot/storyline was what I expected from a Hallmark film. The movie provided some Christmas spirit, though not as strong as some of the better Hallmark Christmas films of the past. Overall, a good start to the 2020 Christmas movie season by Hallmark.
42 Reviews
You've Got Phone
Jackbv12326 October 2020
Two people get to know each other remotely, this time not by email, but at first by text and then on the phone. The story goes through all kinds of situations that nearly bring them together but just miss. In fact, they do physically meet early on but don't put the two things together. Each has a sad and difficult loss in their past romantic lives.
The story is charming but lacks significant highs and lows. The story's conflict is mild but threatens to keep them apart. This is Hallmark, so you know how it turns out. Even the resolution is no big thing. Don't get me wrong. It's a sweet story and a decent way to enjoy two hours of TV with your loved one(s).
Eion Bailey and Alvina August, neither of whom I remember seeing before (turns out I've seen him once), develop an easy relationship through communication. Imagine that - a relationship based on communication. Even so, there are a couple of disconnects there. Kesler Talbot does a credible job as the young son.
The very last scene is a nice touch and a pointed message totally apart from the romance story.
The story is charming but lacks significant highs and lows. The story's conflict is mild but threatens to keep them apart. This is Hallmark, so you know how it turns out. Even the resolution is no big thing. Don't get me wrong. It's a sweet story and a decent way to enjoy two hours of TV with your loved one(s).
Eion Bailey and Alvina August, neither of whom I remember seeing before (turns out I've seen him once), develop an easy relationship through communication. Imagine that - a relationship based on communication. Even so, there are a couple of disconnects there. Kesler Talbot does a credible job as the young son.
The very last scene is a nice touch and a pointed message totally apart from the romance story.
Enjoyed the lead characters
lyndavanleeuwen8 December 2020
Cute story line. Liked the main actors, but perhaps a little TOO much of the misunderstood "he was on a date with another woman" aspect!
The child actor was amazing & down to earth sincere!
Loved seeing the "Canadian" touch with Charlie wearing a Hudson Bay Striped scarf!!
Like to see more of these two actors together, please!
Predictable Story Line
jr-595045 December 2020
what went wrong...
dimwinne1 January 2022
I looove Eion B. I saw a lot of stuff with him and that's why I watched this one. He's just so yes, sexy :) And here he was so... So grumpy and bored?? He said so many lines like he didn't want to say them. The phone conversations were the best. Alvina is new to me, she was the light of this movie. Really pretty and good with emotions. The chr. Tree moment was really promising and then something was missing. Too bad! And indeed, the final moment when they met, was awkward and too short.
A Sweet, Quiet Christmas
catjfaux6 December 2021
This is a favorite movie of mine from the 2020 season. I kept the recording and watched it again just last night. This time, I found a few more things took me "out" of the movie for a moment than on the first viewing, but I still give it a high rating, based off my initial reaction This is a movie for those who like quiet, gentle films that focus on building relationship gradually. There is a sweetness to the romance and to the other relationships depicted in the movie, particularly the father and son, that is appreciated. The leading actor and actress need to appear in more Hallmark films as leads. They were both new to me.
comfortable
Kirpianuscus21 November 2021
Surprising, I liked it . Very much. Sure, no surprises but a lot of sweetes, nice portrait of single father , his brother family, the relation between sisters and Christmas spirit in its pure senses , gingerbread houses and seductive humor. But, sure, the couple Alvina August - Eion Bailey is just charming and the young Kesler Talbot gives just a beautiful role, reminding, a little but in beautiful - precise manner, Charles Dahl s Charlie. A good flavor of cinnamon seems be the heart of this seductive Christmas film, not extraordinary but, for few modest motives, just comfortable.
New spin on the Hallmark formula
htwyzwhvn28 November 2020
As a man of a certain age, I have come to appreciate anything that celebrates kindness, decency, virtue and honor. Most guys complain about watching Hallmark with their wives. Not me. Hallmark has been a breath of fresh air from long ago.
With that said, my thoughts are this; with one exception, the cast was awesome. As mentioned before me, the new spin of having the leads instantly being attracted to each other, yet taking a circuitous route to connecting, is a nice touch. My lone quibble is Eion Bailey. The persona he presents seems sullen and disconnected, with an underlying sense of anger, to everyone around him. He musters up kindness only when confronted. Usually, when the leads finally unite, there's a sense of joy. Not in this case. Alvina August radiates a glow through the whole movie. You can't help but root for her, but Mr. Bailey never, in my opinion, generated any chemistry with her. So when the movie ended, it was like.......meh, what other Hallmark movie have we got recorded.
Even so, the movie was quite good. I just don't believe I'll watch it when it hits the rerun cycle later
The first perfect 10 of the Hallmark 2020 Xmas season.
Carycomic28 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Alvina August and Eion Bailey are completely new names to me. But, I'm pretty sure, after viewing this movie's premiere, that regular watchers of Hallmark Channel will be hearing more from these two in the not-so-distant future. Either individually or collectively.
I have many reasons for liking this movie. But, I'll restrict my recitation to just four of them. First off? There's no initial rubbing each other the wrong way. Their characters are instantly smitten with each other at first sight! But, they politely go their separate ways after each assumes the other is married. With their spouses simply looking over Christmas trees on their own. The truth, of course, is that Charlie's dad, Josh, is a widower while Molly's "daughter" is actually her niece.
My second reason for liking this is the refreshingly gradual way they get to know each other. Initially, they converse for just professional reasons, as Molly is a baker and Josh is in charge of the gingerbread exhibit at the Xmas Eve fair. With various little "coincidences" blocking certain opportunities for them to spot each other much, much earlier.
My third reason for liking this is the relatively gentle way the writers used what I've come to call the Mandatory Penultimate Misunderstanding trope. These usually occur in the last half-hour of a Hallmark movie's running time. And, before now, they've been performed with all the subtlety of a ton of bricks!
My fourth and main reason for liking this, though? Josh doesn't care that Molly is African-American and she doesn't care that he's Caucasian. The only thing that matters to them both is the fact that they are just two lonely people...who've been made less lonely by falling for each other.
Way to go, Hallmark! :-)
I have many reasons for liking this movie. But, I'll restrict my recitation to just four of them. First off? There's no initial rubbing each other the wrong way. Their characters are instantly smitten with each other at first sight! But, they politely go their separate ways after each assumes the other is married. With their spouses simply looking over Christmas trees on their own. The truth, of course, is that Charlie's dad, Josh, is a widower while Molly's "daughter" is actually her niece.
My second reason for liking this is the refreshingly gradual way they get to know each other. Initially, they converse for just professional reasons, as Molly is a baker and Josh is in charge of the gingerbread exhibit at the Xmas Eve fair. With various little "coincidences" blocking certain opportunities for them to spot each other much, much earlier.
My third reason for liking this is the relatively gentle way the writers used what I've come to call the Mandatory Penultimate Misunderstanding trope. These usually occur in the last half-hour of a Hallmark movie's running time. And, before now, they've been performed with all the subtlety of a ton of bricks!
My fourth and main reason for liking this, though? Josh doesn't care that Molly is African-American and she doesn't care that he's Caucasian. The only thing that matters to them both is the fact that they are just two lonely people...who've been made less lonely by falling for each other.
Way to go, Hallmark! :-)
Miscast
rebekahrox2 November 2020
The heroine was charming but the actor that played Josh, the hero, was miscast. First of all he seemed that he did not want to be there. He said his lines in a completely disinterested manner. He was very sexy, don't get me wrong, but he seemed better suited for a western, or an action movie. Very dangerous and swashbuckling. Just didn't seem right for the part of a loving and patient single dad and small town guy. I'd be interested to see if he is cast in any other Hallmark type movies. I'd definitely watch, cuz like I said..... but hope he'd be in one that incorporates his look a little better.
Flat and boring
lava-752736 January 2021
I love Hallmark Christmas movies, but this is a dud. I wanted to like it because I was thrilled to see more POC represented, but the lead actor has no chemistry with the lead actress. It just dragged on. I watched it til the end, but I was tempted to shut it off many times. Too bad.
Sweet movie about overcoming loss
SunnyDaise29 November 2021
VIEWS ON FILM review of Deliver by Christmas
burlesonjesse53 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"It's complicated". The holidays always are. Then the January credit card bills come. Ugh. Don't worry though because Hallmark is here to make you feel cheery and warm once again. Ho ho ho!
Anyway Deliver by Christmas is my latest review. It was released in October of 2020 and was filmed during the summer of 2020. Could've fooled me. Talk about every scene looking like an effective, Yuletide pop-up card.
Directed by Terry Ingram (an Xmas TV guy) and starring a dude who normally plays brooding types (Eion Bailey who might be above the material here), "Deliver" delivers plenty of saccharine-filled and/or sugary moments. After all, there were plenty of frosted Christmas cookies involved in the ornate making of Deliver by Christmas.
So yeah, "Deliver" has some pedestrian line "deliveries" along with a frustrating premise that seems to prolong the inevitable. Heck, you gotta wonder if Deliver by Christmas could've even gotten made if cell phone technology didn't exist. You also gotta wonder how two people take so long to connect the dots of their kismet in a town where everybody knows everybody.
"Deliver" is about a man and a woman named Josh and Molly (played by Bailey and the ravishing Alvina August). They meet randomly, text each other about baking tips, tint, and eventually get together in the days leading up to I guess, Christmas Eve.
Josh is a widower, Molly is single and available, and there's some quasi chemistry involved between these nice-looking people. They kiss at the end and it looks a little staged and incumbent. Oh well. "Deliver" is a Hallmark flick and no matter how cheesy and how safe in terms of plot, the film's elaborate Christmassy look and December timing gets you in the holiday spirit. I'd take it over crap like 2004's Surviving Christmas any day.
Anyway Deliver by Christmas is my latest review. It was released in October of 2020 and was filmed during the summer of 2020. Could've fooled me. Talk about every scene looking like an effective, Yuletide pop-up card.
Directed by Terry Ingram (an Xmas TV guy) and starring a dude who normally plays brooding types (Eion Bailey who might be above the material here), "Deliver" delivers plenty of saccharine-filled and/or sugary moments. After all, there were plenty of frosted Christmas cookies involved in the ornate making of Deliver by Christmas.
So yeah, "Deliver" has some pedestrian line "deliveries" along with a frustrating premise that seems to prolong the inevitable. Heck, you gotta wonder if Deliver by Christmas could've even gotten made if cell phone technology didn't exist. You also gotta wonder how two people take so long to connect the dots of their kismet in a town where everybody knows everybody.
"Deliver" is about a man and a woman named Josh and Molly (played by Bailey and the ravishing Alvina August). They meet randomly, text each other about baking tips, tint, and eventually get together in the days leading up to I guess, Christmas Eve.
Josh is a widower, Molly is single and available, and there's some quasi chemistry involved between these nice-looking people. They kiss at the end and it looks a little staged and incumbent. Oh well. "Deliver" is a Hallmark flick and no matter how cheesy and how safe in terms of plot, the film's elaborate Christmassy look and December timing gets you in the holiday spirit. I'd take it over crap like 2004's Surviving Christmas any day.
Formulaic and boring
mcrallins28 November 2020
This moving borrows heavily from You've Got Mail, but misses the mark completely.
Eion Bailey and Alvinia August are great actors but mis-cast for this production. Mr. Bailey comes across robotic. Feels as if he is just fulfilling a contractual obligation. Ms. August lacks charisma. Nadene Lightbody who is cast as Jame is better suited for the lead and Ms August is better suited for the role of Jane.
All in all, this is a formulaic slow moving movie that you can watch before bed with a good cup of hot chocolate.
Deliver By Christmas
JoBloTheMovieCritic29 November 2020
Pleasant delivery
TheLittleSongbird8 February 2022
There has never been any bias for or against Hallmark Christmas films. Actually think there are a mix of good, bad (and worse in some cases) and somewhere between mediocre and decent, so it's a variable output really. One just needs to know what to expect and not to expect too much. Have always appreciated romantic dramas with touches of comedy, so yeah 'Deliver by Christmas' was hardly one of those doomed from the start sort of films.
Was fairly mixed on Hallmark's 2020 Christmas films, though it was nowhere near as wildly inconsistent as some of the previous years for Hallmark. None were terrible and most ranged between average and pretty good, with a few even being quite impressive all things considered. 'Deliver by Christmas' is neither one of the best or worst of the batch and is one of those films that left me mixed to moderately liking it. It is a premise that could have gone either way of charming and cute or sickly sweet and cheesy, and mostly it's the former.
'Delivery by Christmas' has a lot that is good. It looks good, with some never drab or garish photography, editing that doesn't look sloppy and appropriately festive locations. The script generally was well meaning and flowed well, and generally didn't feel cheesy or too sappy. Despite the story not being perfect by any stretch, it has enough moments where it is light on its feet and has a warm heart without being mawkish or sugary sweet. Tonally it clearly knew what it was trying to be. Nothing charmless about it either. The characters don't bore or annoy generally.
Most of the acting is good. Alvina August is incredibly charming and easy to like in her role, one that wasn't over the top flawed or too perfect. The supporting cast are more than solid, including the sincere performance of the boy.
Eion Bailey however wasn't near as good. Actually found him rather stiff and robotic in a role where the uptightness and sullen-ness was taken to extremes and never properly warmed, which means that Bailey's performance didn't get more comfortable. The chemistry between him and August had its charming moments but never fully gelled or developed. The story is pretty thin and formulaic, meaning that most of the plotting can be seen from a mile away. Especially everything that goes on in the rushed and contrived final quarter that ends too hastily and patly.
Pacing is uneven, rushed in the final quarter and also pedestrian in the less eventful stretches. Also found the music too melancholic and over-scored and some of the dialogue is on the forced side, especially at the beginning and towards the end.
Concluding, not bad if not great. 6/10.
Was fairly mixed on Hallmark's 2020 Christmas films, though it was nowhere near as wildly inconsistent as some of the previous years for Hallmark. None were terrible and most ranged between average and pretty good, with a few even being quite impressive all things considered. 'Deliver by Christmas' is neither one of the best or worst of the batch and is one of those films that left me mixed to moderately liking it. It is a premise that could have gone either way of charming and cute or sickly sweet and cheesy, and mostly it's the former.
'Delivery by Christmas' has a lot that is good. It looks good, with some never drab or garish photography, editing that doesn't look sloppy and appropriately festive locations. The script generally was well meaning and flowed well, and generally didn't feel cheesy or too sappy. Despite the story not being perfect by any stretch, it has enough moments where it is light on its feet and has a warm heart without being mawkish or sugary sweet. Tonally it clearly knew what it was trying to be. Nothing charmless about it either. The characters don't bore or annoy generally.
Most of the acting is good. Alvina August is incredibly charming and easy to like in her role, one that wasn't over the top flawed or too perfect. The supporting cast are more than solid, including the sincere performance of the boy.
Eion Bailey however wasn't near as good. Actually found him rather stiff and robotic in a role where the uptightness and sullen-ness was taken to extremes and never properly warmed, which means that Bailey's performance didn't get more comfortable. The chemistry between him and August had its charming moments but never fully gelled or developed. The story is pretty thin and formulaic, meaning that most of the plotting can be seen from a mile away. Especially everything that goes on in the rushed and contrived final quarter that ends too hastily and patly.
Pacing is uneven, rushed in the final quarter and also pedestrian in the less eventful stretches. Also found the music too melancholic and over-scored and some of the dialogue is on the forced side, especially at the beginning and towards the end.
Concluding, not bad if not great. 6/10.
Quit3 good
hypzrkunt6 January 2021
The bestnewHallmark movi3 in 2030and I saw them all. The chemistry was real good and I didn't know the actors . The story was just okay and not to much drama but it all played out reasonably well. I watched it twice and will watch again next year
Alvina was the star of this movie. Why is sh3 not doing more.
Alvina was the star of this movie. Why is sh3 not doing more.
Didn't quite deliver
Mlle_Chouette1 November 2020
While the premise was interesting and the actors were likeable there were also some moments that felt meh. The boy actor was too plain and almost didn't have any emotions and was always seemed sad. His "dad" kinda too (so maybe that was genetical lol). The lead actress was great and charming. All these details would have been forgiven if the ending was good, but it seemed bad-written and rushed into the "romantic Christmas movie ending" trope
LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!!
mayhugh-9262628 October 2020
Hallmark is at it again. I wasn't that impressed with the Christmas movies last year. A lot of them in my opinion missed the mark with the casting of the actors and actresses. But the chemistry between the leads Eion Bailey and Alvina August was so good. Eion Bailey is a terrific actor that I feel doesn't get enough attention for his work. I also liked that the storyline was different from their typical Christmas movies about buying out candy/ cookie companies etc. This is a must watch for those Hallmark Christmas movie fans!
Flat
vintagegeek29 October 2020
Not the worst
adamjohns-4257520 November 2021
Why didn't someone tell Eion Bailey to wash his hair? He's actually quite handsome, but he looks awful here, which detracts from the attraction to the character, making you care less about whether they get together.
The producers also try to squeeze in a few too many moralistic messages and it comes across trite and saccharine. If only everyone was as kind and selfless as this town of people, the world would be such a lovely place, but our teeth would all be rotten from the sweetness.
I do like that they don't know who they're talking to for a time, although they had met. It's an interesting way to move the story forward.
The kids at least are not so sickly as they are sometimes.
3ish?
The producers also try to squeeze in a few too many moralistic messages and it comes across trite and saccharine. If only everyone was as kind and selfless as this town of people, the world would be such a lovely place, but our teeth would all be rotten from the sweetness.
I do like that they don't know who they're talking to for a time, although they had met. It's an interesting way to move the story forward.
The kids at least are not so sickly as they are sometimes.
3ish?
Loved the movie
sheliaowens30 October 2021
Is Bradley Cooper doing Hallmark movies?
brendamaille28 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I really liked all the stars, especially the two leads. They were charming and convincing in their roles.I am not familiar with Alvina August but she was perfectly cast and needs to see more lead roles. I've seen Eion Bailey in at least one other Hallmark movie in a more supporting role and thought he was very good. I am glad he is now in a leading role. He did an excellent job. Both he and Alvina exuded charm and likability. Having said that, I could not help but think that he looked just like Bradley Cooper. His blue eyes were piercing. I liked the concept of the movie but the execution (not by the actors) by the production team could have been better. After this intense build up and fabulous connection between the leads, when they finally meet at the end, there is essentially no time given to see them together. Even the obligatory final Hallmark kiss fell flat. After the high level of attraction they built up for each other, the embrace and kiss were meh. I don't blame the actors. Where were the writers, director and producers? I think we Hallmark viewers deserve a better conclusion to an otherwise good story.
Soooo boring
ssc76 November 2020
The cast was fine, acting not bad. But dang Hallmark so boring. I've watched literally every Hallmark movie and have even created a list in IMDB so I can see which ones I want to re-watch and which to avoid. Lots of bakery movies, I'm ok with that, lots of single/widowed parents, ok with that. Friends setting up, blah, blah, same pattern, we all know the drill as fans of the movies. But no heartfelt moment, the kid was a dud (except his little video), but wow just no real romance, it drug on and on. No cutesy moments. But it's par for the 2020 new movies, haven't liked one of them yet.
An okay Christmas romance
herrcarter-9216125 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This movie as a Hallmark romance was just okay. Nothing too special. The concept was definitely interesting. Sort of a takeoff on the "You've Got Mail" theme, except in this case, they are not anonymous over the phone, only in their brief in-person interactions. Also, they like each other in person, rather than hating each other while liking each other in their non-face-to-face interactions. Kind of a different take on things.
Okay, normally I would like this kind of storyline, even though it's already been done a lot. So, why wasn't I more excited about this one? A few reasons. First, I didn't like Eion Bailey's performance as widowed single dad Josh. It wasn't bad, necessarily. It was just kind of wooden and without much passion. He also seemed a little too old for the role and too scruffy and not handsome enough for Alivina August, who was truly beautiful. I liked her performance as baker Molly much better. She seemed warm, genuine and approachable. I didn't feel that much chemistry between the two of them, at least in person. On the phone, I thought they had decent chemistry, to be fair. The dialog was also fairly natural and believable, so I can't fault that either.
I did find the storyline to be a little weak. So, they have this wonderful relationship on the phone, but he just waits around to meet her until she brings over his order of gingerbread? He could have stopped by her bakery anytime, and any normal guy would have. Also, I thought it was kind of stupid how she jumped to the conclusion that he was married based solely on the fact that he was standing next to his sister-in-law, who she immediately assumed was his wife. I'm surprised she didn't already know the sister-in-law, given that they live in a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Also, her over-the-top reaction when she saw him on a date with another woman was a little too much. They weren't even dating each other, and there was certainly no implied exclusivity. Finally, I found it a real stretch that they went for the requisite end-of-movie Hallmark kiss when they finally met and realized who each other were, without even a prior date to prompt such action.
So, it was an okay romance, and certainly not bad, but not really that memorable either.
Okay, normally I would like this kind of storyline, even though it's already been done a lot. So, why wasn't I more excited about this one? A few reasons. First, I didn't like Eion Bailey's performance as widowed single dad Josh. It wasn't bad, necessarily. It was just kind of wooden and without much passion. He also seemed a little too old for the role and too scruffy and not handsome enough for Alivina August, who was truly beautiful. I liked her performance as baker Molly much better. She seemed warm, genuine and approachable. I didn't feel that much chemistry between the two of them, at least in person. On the phone, I thought they had decent chemistry, to be fair. The dialog was also fairly natural and believable, so I can't fault that either.
I did find the storyline to be a little weak. So, they have this wonderful relationship on the phone, but he just waits around to meet her until she brings over his order of gingerbread? He could have stopped by her bakery anytime, and any normal guy would have. Also, I thought it was kind of stupid how she jumped to the conclusion that he was married based solely on the fact that he was standing next to his sister-in-law, who she immediately assumed was his wife. I'm surprised she didn't already know the sister-in-law, given that they live in a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Also, her over-the-top reaction when she saw him on a date with another woman was a little too much. They weren't even dating each other, and there was certainly no implied exclusivity. Finally, I found it a real stretch that they went for the requisite end-of-movie Hallmark kiss when they finally met and realized who each other were, without even a prior date to prompt such action.
So, it was an okay romance, and certainly not bad, but not really that memorable either.
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