Destined at Christmas (2022 TV Movie) User Reviews

Destined at Christmas

[allmoviesfan · 7/10 · 5 November 2022]

The first GAC Family Christmas movie I've watched in 2022 was pretty good.

A fresh story: two people meet whilst shopping on Black Friday, feel a spark...and then are separated and spend the next month or so trying to find one another with very little in the way of detail about one another - all they each have is a first name. Of course, there are the usual plot devices that you get in these movies, like a few near misses between the two main characters and the introduction of and old/new love interest. Nonetheless, still a pretty good watch. I haven't seen Shae Robbins or Casey Elliott in a film before, but they were pretty good in this one. All in all, just enough original material to keep you (well, me) interested.

Simple and charming.

[gfrasmd · 8/10 · 28 October 2022]

This movie has no big pretenses. It is a simple story. Kim and Theo, a single father, casually meet on Black Friday and develop a strong attraction. Unfortunately, they lose track of each other. In the following weeks, they search and keep missing each other, while carrying on with their lives. The conclusion is quite predictable. There is no serious drama, as both lead characters are wholesome people and all of the others, family and friends, seem equally nice. Some details are quivery, if not illogical. For one, why Theo's divorced wife appears nonexistent in their daughter's life?

Yet, the movie moves well and manages to be entertaining, while remaining uplifting. Shae Robins and Casey Elliot work great together, projecting warm and sincere, reciprocal feelings. The daughter, Ashley, is captivating. By the way, is she Casey Elliott's real daughter? The movie highlights plenty of Christmas, and everyday, values, such as kindness, generosity and love. If the goal was to provide a family friendly Christmas tale with simple, honest, uplifting emotions, the mission is accomplished. Based on it's values, GAC is my Christmas destination.

I'm ambivalent here

[VetteRanger · 7/10 · 25 October 2022]

I like the movie, but it does have an issue in the plotting design.

The couple meets at the beginning of the movie, develop an affinity for each other, then are separated, each only knowing the other's first name.

They spend the rest of the movie trying to "detective out" the other's identity, plus of course a few near misses. That makes the plot dodge most of the Christmas romance cliches (except he of course is a single dad with an adorable daughter and no mention of what happened to his wife ... but they can't dodge them ALL LOL).

The issue is that after the very early minutes of the movie, the leads can't appear together again until, or course, the very end. I don't think that's a spoiler. ;-)

I like the story and the characters, but a lot of the scenes don't build the story and just fill time. It's worth a watch but I don't see it being on our repeat list despite the fact the ending was well done.

Pretty unique story line

[the_doofy · 7/10 · 25 November 2022]

My wife and i really enjoyed this. This movie has none of the political platform traps that we are starting to see, which seems to go along with the GAF label, current trends free.

The synopsis for the movie is misleading, making me believe whoever wrote the thing did not in fact watch the movie. While it is true they are looking for one another after meeting, what is not said is that they each have vague clues to go by, which gives it an extra layer.

But, the real kicker is that unbeknownst to each, they are connected at so many different levels through interpersonal relationships. This adds many more multiple layers to the story.

They took some time planning out this one --Thnx.

Good family story but a little falt

[Jackbv123 · 6/10 · 27 October 2022]

This movie starts out a little different than most in this genre, but part of that comes from the premise which is similar in some ways to the kiss in an elevator premise - two strangers meet but get separated. There is not a kiss right off, but otherwise the two leads who hit it off lose track of each other due to a power outage in the store where they are shopping. What is a little unusual here is how much time the lead couple spends with each other and they do some bonding but only at the beginning. Most of the story is about near misses on the two reconnecting. This is keeps going right up to the last minute.

Something feels just a bit off with the acting and the lines. Maybe a little flat. But there are also a few funny ones.

Usually, the thing that draws me to this kind of movie where romance is more important than any other theme is time spent developing the romance. Again the premise is responsible for taking a lot of that out of the equation. It is interesting however that Kim does interact with Ashley, without realizing she is Theo's daughter.

You are "destined" to love this movie!

[mschuler-55168 · 10/10 · 26 October 2022]

This was a wonderful start to Great American Family Christmas. Two people looking for presents on Black Friday find more than they "bargained" for. This movie is a magical and suspenseful Christmas ride that has you holding hope until the very end that love would find a way. You will enjoy the acting, storyline, twists and turns, and most of all the happy ending.

The two leads, although not in much of the movie together, have you rooting for them from the start. The daughter does a great job as a kid actor as well, and may be from the credits the actual daughter of the main actor in the movie.

Have fun with this movie!

Not perfect but it's watchable.

[Avidviewer-02847 · 7/10 · 5 November 2022]

I wasn't too sure about this movie in the beginning, the plot was bumpy and I wasn't sure where it was going. The story line of both characters searching for each other over most of the movie, was very tiresome. And it's odd that two people didn't discuss what they did for a living when they had breakfast in the beginning, they're young and obviously they work. The dialog was better than average, I didn't cringe when listening to it.

This movie didn't have a dominate female lead with a male in a secondary role, this was a story about Kim and Theo. It wasn't another formulaic story about developing an app or something in sales, Kim and Theo were both settled in their careers.

Shae Robins and Casey Elliott had chemistry onscreen, the supporting cast wasn't as good.

Great Movie!!

[skillfulcota · 10/10 · 30 December 2022]

I enjoyed this well-written, well-acted, well-designed Christmas movie. Extremely creative storyline and the plot leading to the ending is fantastic as it keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how it will turn out. The leads are excellent and create good chemistry. I think Brooklyn who played Mia and Eve, the daughter of the lead male, were great as well -> I enjoyed watching the children play their roles. The supporting cast were great also. The family meddling in romance was extremely well-written and true to real life. Very much worth the time to watch and enjoy a sweet, edge-of-your-seat romance!

Okay

[DVK1234 · 6/10 · 26 December 2023]

When Kim and Theo lost each other at the sporting goods store because the power went out, why didn't they just wait at the front door to meet back up again?

Very obvious ending that they would finally meet up again and start a relationship. Reminded me of a bad Serendipity, where the viewers get frustrated because the main characters keep missing each other and everyone in their circle meet the person that they just keep missing.

Particularly bad acting by the child playing Theo's daughter. Absolute train wreck. Nice scenery. Shot in Utah. I didn't recognize any of the actors in this movie, including the main characters.

I don't recommend this film.

Actors are great, movie is boring

[nathankristina · 3/10 · 7 January 2023]

I finally watched it today wanting to add GAC movies to my watch list.

The actors were likable and genuine. There was instant chemistry between the main 2 characters, which doesn't always happen. The story started out as a meet cute. They meet in line for a Black Friday sale and share some hot chocolate and continue talking. Both hit it off immediately, ending up going to several stores together and have a romantic breakfast break. At the last store there is a blackout and they end up losing each other. Now they spend the rest of the movie trying to find one another taking clues from their conversation. In true fassion they do find each other in the end.

While the movie starts out strong, the long shipping trip and the search felt a bit too long. And why do people always assume that if their person of desire is in the company with another person, they are dating? Even a hug or a touch on the arm is so normal between friends, so why run away instead of saying hello? Overall I felt bored by the movie. It's a nice and clean family movie, but most of the storyline felt flat for me. Besides at the very beginning and the very end, the romance part just wasn't there. And besides the Christmas decorations there is nothing making it a Christmas movie.

Fresh story for a Christmas movie

[ab-84038 · 9/10 · 10 December 2022]

This movie was a welcome change from the usual holiday Christmas plot. Two strangers meet on Black Friday and really start to bond, when they lose each other in a blackout. They both felt a very strong connection and want to see each other again. They spend the rest of the movie trying to find each other. The only complaint I can say is that the main characters are not together for much of the movie, but, we really didn't mind because their first meeting was so good and we felt their connection even as they were looking for each other.

Thank you G A C Family for your new Christmas movies that are full of fun and so Family Friendly!

Good start

[mbiv777 · 7/10 · 24 November 2022]

This was a low key charmer of a movie.

The plot involves two people who meet while shopping on black Friday, then get separated and spend the rest of the movie looking for each other.

The chemistry between leads is good, and the lead actress is especially appealing.

I did not much care for the supporting cast.

In order to enjoy these movies, we have to forgive much, and this is no different. I would've had that girl's number long before the lead actor even thought of it, and some of the plot twists get a little far fetched.

Still, we know how it's going to come out or we wouldn't be watching it.

For my money, this is a nice start to '22, and an improvement from last year on GAC.

For all their near misses this is a complete miss.

[mirvelt · 2/10 · 29 October 2022]

I understand that they keep missing each other but it just happens too many times. Also, the leading male couldn't call out for her when they were leaving the black out? Her waiting two more minutes outside would have solved this whole plot, which wouldn't be far fetched. Not only did he not share as much as her but didn't actively try much to find her. He left a good tip at the diner but couldn't top up and tip for the hot chocolate.

His daughter is into dinosaurs but he doesn't really mention it to the leading woman.

Her ex is also terrible and gaslighting. He won't listen to her and is so pushy. It's the type of sugary sweet pushy that if you say no, you're being rude or unreasonable. So she feels obligated to go along with him. He also keeps touching her and it's very obviously not welcome. Her family needs to stop encouraging her to get back with her ex. It's very cringy and inappropriate. As weird and the sister-in-law angle for the male lead. Trying to set them up feels forced.

Every shot looks like it's using portrait mode on your phone. The backgrounds are all blurred, so sometimes it feels like a green screen. The plot has a lot of loose ends and doesn't tie things back in well. The directing is not good, pacing is terrible, the longing glances to nowhere are awkward. Script feels like a high school project, it's choppy and stiff.

Great movie

[jimcoye · 10/10 · 25 December 2023]

We watched this movie as a part of Great American Christmas. Great actors, nice script. A really encoraging premise. Good news for Christmas- what a concept! And because it's in Great American is also a positive. This company is coming on strong this year, especially. Positive, encouraging movies are a plus this time of the year. We follow Candace Cameron Bure. She moved over to this company as well as some other real talented actors and actresses. Writing a script that ends in a kiss is pretty easy. But writing compelling stories that encourage - that's hard work! Glad we found out about this channel.

Black Friday Meet Cute

[agrg-86386 · 8/10 · 17 January 2024]

I wasn't familiar with either of the two leads but they both did a fine job. They had good chemistry right off the bat and that ends up being VERY important because they spend a big chunk of the movie apart. They keep trying to locate each other and there's mishaps where they keep missing each other. It would be extremely frustrating except for the fact that we did see cute scenes of them at the beginning and saw their chemistry that makes us root for the couple.

Even though I watch a lot of these made-for-tv movies, this plot was new to me so it kept me engaged and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. When the movie ended I immediately wanted to rewatch it- it's that good. It's cute and fun and I definitely recommend it.

Anti-destiny

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 26 January 2024]

7.6 stars.

This is a story about two seemingly intelligent people who are completely clueless. First of all, they have a meet-cute that is so memorable, they must find each other again, but they didn't exchange phone numbers or take full names. How they got separated in the first encounter is an absolute "she dropped the ball" moment. First strike. She doesn't wait for him at the door for more than maybe 20 seconds, a simple task, only 10 seconds more needed, and the result is they lost touch and it's not funny. No, these two are already on the path of anti-fate, if you will. This is a story of two people who are not meant to be together. Looking at each subsequent incident where they almost run into each other, over and over and over, ad nauseum and each time they seem to lose about 50 IQ points in the process. The way she can't figure out who he is, but the clues are there, every breadcrumb is just glaring at her saying "pick me up, i'm a breadcrumb, i'm an obvious sign that points to who this mystery man is". And she's a doctor? And he, not any smarter than she, misses the signs after several close calls that only a powerful negative force could generate in disfavor of their reuniting. No, these two are not meant to be, and that's the point of the film (in my opinion), even if not the intent.

But it's endearing and romantic at the end and all the characters are really likable, and the movie is entertaining even though it's so over gimmicky. I feel like I've committed some sort of taboo by saying this film is fun, in spite of the overuse of cheap thrills. It is a fun ride and there's a lot of anticipation, but it's frustrating.