Christmas Incorporated (2015 TV Movie) User Reviews

Formulaic, but who cares?

[ricoroark · 7/10 · 14 November 2017]

Sure, it was corny and formulaic, but that's exactly what I love about Hallmark movies. They're clean, have mild religious overtones, no sex, maybe just a kiss at the end. Riley talks about her family attending Midnight Mass. Love that. I believe people crave these types of movies rather than Hollywood filth with their obligatory premarital sex scenes.

Riley is an appealing character, and she carried the film She's a little tart, not too mushy, not too gorgeous, but a nice down-to- earth girl you'd love for her to invite you to her parents' home for Christmas. The male lead wasn't as strong. The story wasn't all that strong, but I don't care. I liked it, and wanted to watch it until the end.

another x-mas gift from the great Canadian taxpayer

[A_Different_Drummer · 6/10 · 17 December 2015]

Film historians of the future will no doubt teach seminars on the impact of the Canadian film factory (heavily taxpayer subsidized) on the content circulating through north America from approximately 1985 onwards.

Hollywood bluebloods hate the Canuck film machine because it takes food off the table. But, based on a lower dollar, the Canadians have found multiple "niches" where year after year they can slip almost-generic content into the maw, each one virtually into profit the moment the film leaves the camera because of the lower costs.

Some 90% of the movies that flood the airways around X-mas, in particular, are of this origin and most Americans don't have a clue.

This film is unusual for two reasons. Behind the camera is David Perlmutter who has been a Canuck film producer since the 80s and is by no definition a Johnny Come Lately.

And in front of the camera we have Shenae Grimes-Beech, an actress possessed of enough charisma for two leading ladies. She carries this film on her back and in the many areas where the script fails, or the casting of the extras (all too-familiar Canadian faces) fails, or the set design fails (the "toy factory" looks like an empty warehouse with a cheap sign installed at very the last minute) she simply cracks a smile and the audience decides to stick with the film for a few moments longer.

Finally and for the benefit of newbies to these sorts of films, a "6" rating is veritably an Oscar nod for such a film. I have seen worse.

Good plot, but lacked chemistry

[mlee-53783 · 7/10 · 25 November 2015]

It's not necessarily a unique story plot... An executive takes a chance by hiring an opinionated, independent thinker. To fit in with the holiday theme, he happens to have lost a family member that always made Christmas extra special and is now sad during this time of year and so avoids it altogether. Not necessarily unique, but very sweet and had the makings of being a good movie.

The biggest issue was the complete lack of chemistry between the two leads. I'm not familiar with the female lead, but she played her part well enough. (Her hair styling was weird though. Bothered me through the entire movie.) Steve Lund is a solid actor and I thought he played his role charmingly with the sensitivity inherent in his character. Unfortunately, there was no chemistry between the two of them and it made it hard to believe in them as a couple. The dialogue and interplay worked, but not as a couple. Absolutely no spark between them.

One minor note regarding wardrobe... When a man is dressed in a suit (especially one at the CEO level), his cuffs should show beyond the suit jacket sleeves. I'm sure Steve Lund has long arms, but you can get a shirt with longer sleeves! That seems to be a consistent gap in all the Hallmark movies. Sorry. Its a pet peeve of mine.

Having said all that, I liked the story and Steve Lund's delivery of someone rediscovering the joys of Christmas.

Uncomfortable interactions between the leads

[MickyG333 · 6/10 · 27 December 2022]

6.0 stars.

I'm not sure how anyone could have ignored the awkward and mismatched relationship and dialogue between the leads, which was most difficult to watch. I figured it was a fluke at first, but it continued and continued and continued. They are not synchronized at all.

His acting style seemed very forced, maybe because he was uncomfortable with the part, or he was actually so infatuated with her in real life that he couldn't contain his angst. Additionally, she was bland and uninterested, and as a result totally uninteresting. Near the end they are attempting to express feelings and moments that never existed. It's a very strange experience watching them push a romance that just isn't there.

The grinch reporter was very easy to loathe, and it was nice to have an antagonist for once that we could sink our teeth into (not in the usual positive sense).

I give it 6.0 stars instead of 5.0 because the story was well done, saving a town, saving a man's boyhood joy of Christmas, the portrayal of a very intelligent and capable executive assistant... these qualities of the film were flawless, but could not capably carry the dead weight.

The plot was of course unoriginal, but so are 95% of these Hallmarks, and many of them pass my litmus test of re-watchability. 'Christmas Incorporated' deplorably failed.

It won't be the unforgettable Christmas movie

[glori1491 · 6/10 · 24 December 2023]

It's not the best Christmas movie, but at least it's entertaining to pass the time. It is about a recently graduated girl looking for a job, where she is hired to be the assistant of the owner of a company, however they hire her believing she is someone else, she accepts the job, and the mission is to go save a toy store which is a source of income for a small town (which cannot be missing from a Christmas movie). His boss is a person who doesn't like the Christmas season because it reminds him of the family he lost (mother and grandmother), and Riley reminds him of the beauty of the season. The actors are not the best (so much so that even Shenae has a better performance than Steve) and they do not have the best chemistry, but the story improves about halfway through the movie and you can finish watching it. The lesson he leaves us is that we should not judge if someone does not like the Christmas season since they always have an underlying reason.

Another example of Hallmark failing to pay attention to the details

[ricster55 · 6/10 · 8 November 2020]

We'll just go with this: the officer who pulled over Mr Young claims to be the sheriff. Yet the squad car and the precinct building both say police.

Cringe worthy and awful

[lmgannon2 · 1/10 · 25 November 2015]

I'm only three quarters through this movie and it is so unbelievably awful I had to immediately get on here to vent. I don't even get excited anymore when a newly released Hallmark movie is announced because I'm finding that they are mostly not good, just poorly rehashed, poorly acted, poorly directed versions of the ones that came before.

Let me be clear that I don't expect a whole lot from this type of movie, they are after all meant to be light, feel good romances. My idea of a good one is The Nine Lives of Christmas for an example of how I'm not that picky.

Christmas, inc. is a travesty throughout, completely unrealistic scene after scene, and absolutely no chemistry between the leads. She acted and spoke like an over eager teenager and he seemed very awkward and uncomfortable. I've seen him before and he wasn't bad so maybe it was this particular role he had to play.

Just skip this one unless you have a couple of hours to waste.

Unlike the other reviews. I enjoyed this movie!

[Victor-J-1964 · 9/10 · 29 October 2017]

The movie begins with Riley Vance (Shenae Grimes-Beech) struggling to find employment when she gets a tip on a personal assistant job. When they call her name to be interviewed they call Riley V., and while in the interview she realizes that the interview was suppose to be for Riley Vanderdale but she was already committed and hired so she just goes with it. So Riley becomes the assistant to William Young (Steve Lund) who has inherited his father's massive company and is challenged to perform well to prove his worth. William is faced with possibly closing the company's flagship toy factory in Dover, New Hampshire. While in Dover several delightful characters are introduced such as Piper (Hannah Spear) who is resourceful, delightful and fills several roles for the town; Mayor Martin Keegan (Ron Lea) is cheerful, funny and provides William with wonderful advice; the sheriff, and several others contribute to the fun.

The chemistry between Riley and William feels real and you know they will be great together. This is a fun and romantic movie that shares to spirit of Christmas.

Victor J

The Story Could of Used Some Work

[Christmas-Reviewer · 6/10 · 12 September 2016]

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 (C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!

Sometimes, life just seems to hand you exactly what you need – particularly at Christmastime. In this new yuletide tale, Riley is scraping bottom when she miraculously lands a job with a wealthy New York City entrepreneur. He's a bad-boy socialite type who is poised to play Scrooge by closing one of his factories just before Christmas, which would devastate and entire town. It's left to Riley to talk him out of it and turn him into a man of virtue rather than shame. But will a case of mistaken identity ruin the whole plan?

What is disappointing was this had an attractive cast that could of made this film amazing. The film is by the numbers. Nothing New here folks. Its worth watching once.

Disappointing

[bobvonb · 5/10 · 19 November 2018]

We love the Hallmark movies but found this one a bit lacking. Sure the story was weak but that was not our objection. The dialog was very stilted and didn't at all seem real. A lack of chemistry made us wonder why a mature guy would fall for a teenager (that what she acted like). I'll blame this one on the writers. We had just finished re-watching A Christmas to Remember which we absolutely loved loved loved so maybe getting this weaker effort on the rebound didn't help. Not a complete waste of time, but switch to the other Hallmark channel if you can find something there.

Great Steve Lund Movie

[Alexa25624 · 10/10 · 27 May 2018]

Christmas Incorporated was my introduction to Steve Lund and it made me want to see more of his work. Hallmark movies tend to be predictable but I really enjoyed this one. I highly recommend it.

Not enough Christmas spirit

[TheLittleSongbird · 4/10 · 19 May 2020]

Although the title of the film was one of those cute but very corny titles and the premise did sound like very familiar ground, part of me was still intrigued into seeing 'Christmas Incorporated'. Due to liking enough of Hallmark's Christmas efforts, which in terms of overall quality when it comes to their overall output is a very mixed bag. Also have seen Steve Lund in other things and he strikes me as not being bad at all as an actor and tending to be one of the better aspects of what he stars or features in.

'Christmas Incorporated' is not one of the best Hallmark Christmas, with there being too many big flaws. It is also not one of the worst, as it does have some quite big good things too. Ranking it, 'Christmas Incorporated' is somewhere around low middle and one of those films that is like what the title and plot synopsis indicate. Not terrible by any stretch, better than what has been indicated by some here despite sharing some of their criticisms, but nothing special really at all.

It looks quite good, very nicely photographed with not too drab a look. There are some sweet, mildly amusing and light-hearted moments here and there, as well as some nice parts in the music.

Lund is a likeable leading man, the character does not sound pleasant at all on paper at first but the character is actually easier to endear than the main character which is saying a lot. The other cast standout is Hannah Spear, a delight in a relatably amusing and resourceful sort of role. Jane Moffat was also quite good.

Was a bit mixed though on Shenae Grimes-Beech, who gets better as the film progresses and has more charm and subtlety. But to begin with her over-eagerness felt very over-played and it was a bit annoying, actually found Riley a character that took time to warm to. She could have had more chemistry with Lund, which wasn't non-existent but could have done with more spark. The locations can be limited and quite cheap, was expecting the toy factory to have more wonder. The music has moments but like too many Hallmark festive films it can be too over-scored and intrusive.

The script can be very awkward and cheesy, with its fair share of mush, and the direction is workmanlike but lacks urgency so the film can feel dull. The premise was a familiar-ground one, given very by-the-numbers and formulaic (to the extent that everything is telegraphed very obviously too early) execution. It could have done with a lot more charm, heart and the Christmas spirit is missing. The supporting turns are variable, good with Spear and Moffat but forgettable at best with the others, while the characters are the kind that don't grate as such generally but don't have enough distinction.

Concluding, okay but not much more than that. 4/10

Really Bad

[ktwwest · 1/10 · 29 December 2015]

I consider myself a Hallmark movie junkie. I usually love watching all of the holiday movies and all of the Hallmark movies in general. They are now being so mass produced it seems that quality has been left behind as the quantity increases. I can usually look past this and enjoy the fluff and predicable story lines to pass a few mindless hours but this movie was so awful I could barely stand it. I wanted to turn it off within the first few minutes but kept watching hoping it would get better as it churned on. Two hours later it was still horrible--badly acted and full of plot holes and goofs. I clearly have too much time on my hands to have wasted it on this "movie".

Christmas incorporated

[mitchellrharl · 10/10 · 1 December 2020]

This 2015 Christmas movie was one of my first Hallmark favorite Steve Kind so talented zShanae Grimes-Beech is so cute always love Jane Moffat .love the mayor all cast is good.The woman playing the headline hunter gossip reporter fits her evil part well

Unfortunately, a Hallmark DUD

[lizliu · 1/10 · 22 January 2016]

I adore hallmark movies, especially during the holidays. While some may view them as cheesy and cliché, I think they are sweet and heart warming (though quite predictable). This movie, though, was dreadfully terrible. The story plot was not bad in itself, but the writing was blah. What made the film truly fail was the lack of chemistry between the two leads. It was overwhelming obvious that if either lead had a choice of being stuck on a desert island with their costar or being stuck alone, they would choose the latter. I've seen the lead actor Steve Lund in other projects, and he's okay, but this is first time I've seen the actress Shenae Grimes-Beech and her acting in this project was way over-the-top (i.e. trying way too hard). Alas... all of it added up to awfulness. I recommend that you take a pass on this.

The only bright star in this film is Jane Moffat. She did a lovely job.

Adorably adorable

[WineAndCheesy · 8/10 · 29 October 2018]

This movie is adorable and the chemistry is totally there! Despite having a bias for anything Andrew Walker, this movie completely delivered. It was cute, sweet, not entirely predictable, and my husband wasn't making puking faces at me the entire movie. As long as you don't think through the actual logistics of the movie, you will like it. Andrew does a great, believable bah humbug character and Shenae Grimes-Beech is adorable, like always. Although it follows a typical Hallmark movie story line, it still feels fresh and new!

Favorite line: "You can't cut me off from Christmas ornaments!!"

Cute enough

[kz917-1 · 4/10 · 16 January 2018]

Cute but no sizzle!

The main actors were good, but the story just lacked panache.

Skip it and watch something else!

Not Oscar worthy - but worth a watch

[jenrn-09722 · 9/10 · 1 January 2024]

I enjoyed this movie for what it is - a feel-good Christmas movie. Yes, this plot has been done before, but show me a Christmas movie whose plot hasn't been. I have to be honest, there were things I found cringe-worthy, like the cheesy lines at the end "I don't have everything for Christmas because I don't have you" is a prime example. But this move has one of my favorite movie scenes of all time in it. The scene where the mayor tells William about seeing his wife for the first time from the bench in town was just wonderful. The mayor is waxing nostalgic, William gets a bit misty, then when the mayor tells William that William feels the same way about Riley, William blushed, stammers - and it was thoroughly believeable. Both actors, Steve Lund and Ron Lea, were total invested in the scene and it was really great. That is why I watch Hallmark movies - not for the recycled storylines, or the happily ever after. I watch it because every now and then a movie - or a scene - is just amazing or hits just right and makes me believe whatever story they're telling. I watch this movie whenever it's on - because that scene makes me watch and makes me sigh every time. One of my seasonal favorites.