The Mistletoe Inn (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews

This is a fun movie

[Debzreview · 6/10 · 3 December 2017]

This is a really good romantic comedy. Zeke and Kim were quirky and funny together. Alicia Witt and David Alpay played off each other wonderfully. The actor that played Garth nailed it as a smarmy little weasel because I definitely wanted to smack him. There wasn't a ton of romance but there was the usual heartbreak towards the end and eventual makeup. If you're looking for a light Christmas movie on a Saturday afternoon this is good choice.

Witt

[nananow · 5/10 · 25 November 2017]

I generally enjoy Alicia Witt, but contrary to the previous review I find her affectations in this film both annoying and juvenile. I don't know if it's just getting old or just this movie. By the end, both leading characters are over working their jaws. It took much away from the film for me.

Alicia Witt and her latest Hallmark Film

[Christmas-Reviewer · 6/10 · 29 November 2017]

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

BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE 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! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

In this film when aspiring romance novelist Kim Rossi is unceremoniously dumped by her soon-to-be-published romance novelist boyfriend, Garth, Kim takes stock and decides to take a leap. She signs up for a romance writing retreat at a quaint Vermont Inn shortly before Christmas, where a top romance novelist is scheduled to attend. Shortly after arriving, she crosses paths with Zeke, whom she initially finds to be intrusive and, naturally, ends up being her assignment partner. Worse yet, her ex-boyfriend, Garth, is also at the retreat.

I want to point out that I always look forward to any Hallmark film that Alicia Witt is in. Two of my favorite Hallmark Christmas Movies she is in. Sadly this film will not join that list.

The one major problem with this film is that it plays it too safe and it is very predictable.

Some of the locations are pretty but that is not enough to warrant future additional viewings.

Alicia Witt...What Happened??

[smithduke · 5 December 2017]

I have watched 100's of Hallmark movies and most of the time I thoroughly enjoy them, no matter how corny or predictable they can be. Alica Witt is someone I've enjoyed watching, but she was downright annoying in this movie. In one scene she went out for a jog and had this silly lilting run as if she was almost skipping. Her interaction with the male lead was argumentative and pompous, and there was no reason for her to be that way. I did like David Alpay who played Zeke. The movie would have been enjoyable if Alicia Witt's acting was more natural.

Ignore the negative reviews - this was a great Christmas movie!

[silversurfersgp · 7/10 · 24 December 2017]

I only started watching some of Hallmark's Christmas movies recently and from what I have seen, they have definitely got the formula down to a pat, but it does seem that when they adapt the script from a book, the writing and dialogue is less formulaic and richer in tone.

The Mistletoe Inn was adapted from a novel by Richard Paul Evans. For starters, the central premise and setting seems different - after being dumped by her pretentious and pompous writer-boyfriend (who has just one published novel to his name), a successful car dealer and wannabe romance writer struggling to finish her own first book attends a writing conference/retreat not only to meet her favourite romance novelist (once a bestselling author but who hasn't published a book in many years), but also to take herself lout of her comfort zone and push herself to see if she indeed has what it takes to be a writer by aiming to win a writing competition at the retreat. Her jerk of an ex ends up being at the same conference, but so is another interesting writer she meets there who is himself struggling from writers' block. Sure, the movie follows the usual route of her initially disliking this new guy but by the end, the two of them fall for each other; this is a Hallmark movie after all.

Despite the many negative reviews (and I really don't get all the hate here), Alicia Witt is just terrific. Her character, Kim Rossi, is insecure and uncertain of her own abilities but it is her very vulnerability that is actually the key towards unlocking her literary talents, and her budding romance with Zeke, played by a very earnest and personable David Alpay, is sweet and believable. I thought the chemistry between the two leads was just wonderful. Also, the scenes that take place at the writing retreat seemed realistic as well.

My issues with the third act aside (see below - spoiler alert!), I certainly enjoyed the movie, and I will definitely be keeping a look out for Miss Witt's back catalogue of Hallmark Christmas movies!

Postscript (SPOILERS AHEAD!) I do feel the last act was a little rushed and raised a couple of issues which weren't properly sorted out. Firstly, Kim's insufferably smarmy ex who has grown increasingly jealous of her abilities does an absolutely shiitty thing in sabotaging her chances at winning the writing competition, directly implicating another good girlfriend she has made at the conference; it is never resolved, he is never found out, and this annoyed me to no end. Sure, she rejects him when he comes back to her at the end begging to be taken back, but I thought justice just wasn't served satisfactorily.

For fans of Alicia Witt

[doctorsmoothlove · 6/10 · 19 December 2019]

The Mistletoe Inn is another Hallmark vehicle for Alicia Witt whom I have only seen once in "A Snowglobe Christmas." She is a perky actress who seems to understand the silly fantasy of these films. The way she moves her cheeks and eyes in an exaggerated manner brings to mind the kookiness of Judy Garland. I like it! Her mannerisms give the film a feeling of uniqueness that is welcome when marathoning holiday films.

A Christmas romance novelist, Kim, (Witt) sells cars for her day job. Her pretentious boyfriend breaks up with her because he doesn't think she takes her writing seriously. He has to be with a "serious writer." Casey Manderson is the ex-boyfriend, Garth, and he's a great movie jerk. I don't think the film needed a movie jerk, but I'll take it. He gives Kim a sense of autonomy because he inspires her to attend a novelist retreat at the Mistletoe Inn. There she meets a mysterious Hot Guy, Zeke, (David Alpay). The retreat features a competition with the grand prize being a chance to meet a mysterious Christmas writer.

Of course, you can probably guess who the mysterious writer is. That really isn't why I enjoyed it. Witt has many comedic scenes. The best is when she slips on some ice and falls on her back. It's straight out of a cartoon! Some fake snow remains on her bottom as Zeke helps her up.

There is another good performance by Lucie Guest as the friend, Samantha. She is very chipper and eggs Kim on about her new beau.

My only major complaint is that the film is forced into the conventions that are mandatory for the network. The film ends with an unfortunate plot thread that is not resolved. It like of leaves Garth's story arc with a conclusion. Whether you enjoy this one is entirely dependent on your enjoyment of Alicia Witt's campy performance. For me, it's a solid recommendation.

What is happening to Hallmark's sense of scene?

[mbudrock · 7/10 · 27 November 2017]

Personally, I find Hallmark's movies just the right start to bringing in the Christmas Season. Sometimes they have an edge, but mostly they are good stories well told and acted. Schsmaltzey, a little too sweet, perhaps, but that's what makes them endearing and what I think gives the actors some latitude in their characterizations. While some have characterized Alicia Witt's acting in this movie as a step above her earlier roles, I find it fitting for the role. As I do her earlier work. This isn't Shakespeare, it's a series of feel good movies that stand or fall on the actor's ability to create relatable characters. I think she and her fellow Hallmark studio actors, deliver on those points almost every time. It's what keeps me coming back anyway. What is driving me crazy this year though is the set design/special effects. This movie is an unfortunate example of a trend where things like snow is nothing more than blobs of suds, when it snows, the sun is always out and shining brightly, it's as if Hallmark just gave up trying. The actors are doing their part to make these stories real. The production department could at least back them up with realistic props and effects. Bad effects can kill a story just as easily as bad acting.

Another Great One from the Queen of Christmas Movies Alicia Witt

[gehewe · 9/10 · 14 January 2018]

This is the 5th Christmas movie starring Alicia Witt. A Very Merry Mix-Up 2013- 10, Christmas at Cartwrights 2014-8, I'm Not Ready for Christmas 2015-9, A Perfect Christmas Bucket List 2016-8. This is my second favorite mainly due to David Alplay who is the costar. This is his 3rd Christmas movie in a row Ice Sculpture Christmas with Rachel Boston- 2015, Sleigh bells Ring 2016 and this one is his best. He is a bit of a Gregory Peck, but this movie showed he is better at humor.

There is a bit of a surprise ending which I suspected from the beginning but my wife was truly surprised and that added to her delight for the movie. Thanks to the queen for giving us another great Christmas movie. The lady that played Sam also did very well. I enjoyed the characters all being writers.

This is a fun movie. Don't let the rather low 5 and 6 top reviews stop you. Enjoy.

Alicia Witt plays Alicia Witt

[heidibetrug · 3/10 · 3 December 2017]

The plot and characters are unremarkable because it's a Hallmark Christmas movie. Cozy small town girl with a Dad-confidant is wowed by something. All that's needed is the reconciliation with an old high school boyfriend. Enough said. This time, it's Alicia Witt chewing the scenery. I lost count of the number of times she said "WOW"! Regardless of the role, Ms Witt delivers every performance exactly the same, and this is no different. She talks with the corners of her mouth pinched together and the rest of her mouth squeaks out the words in that oh-so- cutesy way that she does in all her movies. Maybe if the role had gone to someone else, that 3 rating would have been higher, but I simply can't get past Witt and her charmless delivery.

Love This Movie !!!

[anthrorose · 10/10 · 16 February 2019]

I really enjoyed The Mistletoe Inn, and I find myself watching it over and over. Alicia Witt is one of my favorite actresses. I adored A Very Merry Mix-Up as well. But this was of particular interest because it is about an aspiring writer with very little self-confidence. This film has excellent dialogue, especially in the exchanges between the two main characters. David Alpay is charming. This is a feel-good movie, for sure, but its setting at a writer's conference is rather unique.

Such bad performance of Alicia Witt

[carmengherghel · 1/10 · 26 December 2018]

This is one of the worse Christmas movies I've seen.

about litterature

[Kirpianuscus · 30 November 2018]

I love this Christmas film for ...iits sins. For predactibility, for the handsome black hair guy versus ginger young woman, for the talk about writing, for the feeling to see an improvisation, for the doubts if it is realy is a Christmas film because all seems be an excuse for use the actors for a project not too convincing. Result - a nice film for a reader like me and decent story for the viewer who remains far to be fan of Hallmark Christmas movies. That is all.

Refreshing Winter Film

[MovieTVRomanceFan · 9/10 · 9 March 2021]

I'm beginning to realize that sometimes the films you were least expecting to enjoy actually turn out to be some of the best films yet. The Mistletoe Inn was a really good film. The setting and atmosphere of the movie was great, but sometimes I forget it was a Christmas movie since there were times It didn't feel much like Christmas, but instead it simply felt like more like a Winterfest film that would air at the start of the new year. I loved all the characters mainly the main couple, Kim and Zeke and Kim's new friend, Samantha. The chemistry Kim and Zeke shared was excellent and I loved their unique personalities. Fun and Quirky. It was quite different than anything I've seen before. They were a lot of fun to watch and I really enjoyed Kim's friendship with Samantha.

This film truly was the perfect example of helping one to come out of their comfort zone and try new things. Kim was rather a little overly sensitive when the film began, but by the end she became a much stronger character I am proud to have watched. However, I do wish her ex-boyfriend could've gotten a better punishment after how he treated Kim and sabotaged her and though I'm happy she proved herself to him, I think it could've been better. I also enjoyed Samantha's little quest of trying to uncover the identity of the mystery romance writer of the movie and although the scenes were short and brief, it was still fun and intriguing. This film had a lot of positive qualities I really enjoyed along with a little twist I wasn't expecting nor did I see coming.

Overall, this was an enjoyable festive winter movie to watch and hopefully it'll feel more like a Christmas film during the actual season.

Bad acting

[hannahmae-78740 · 3/10 · 27 December 2018]

This movie would be okay if the female character were played by someone else. The actress is just such a bad actress and it's hard to tell when she's not being sarcastic. If you can get past that then the story is decent.

a New Look at Alicia Witt

[omijer · 10/10 · 25 November 2017]

This holiday movie was a treat on many levels. The script and concept were original, and more mature than many Hallmark movies. Not just a boy meets girl, girl meets boy concept. There is serious matter in the plot. Rejection on several levels..in marriage, courtship,professional competition, and self-doubt. It isn't such a mystery that the famous writer's identity will not surprise any intelligent viewer..but the road to that discovery is paved with a great deal better acting and better dialogue than the usual holiday movie. This viewer's biggest compliment to the film is that Alicia Witt finally shows her authentic acting skills..and does not rely on her quirky facial mannerisms of former films. She had gotten a reputation for peculiar mouth twists, huge deer-in- headlight eyes, and other facial movements that took away from her real acting skills. In this film, she was either advised to do away with those gestures, or she has matured into a more confident, serious actress. I have read that she is also a math genius (like Danica McKellar), and this intelligence showed through in her acting here. She did not need all her facial gimmicks..She relied on serious dialogue, serious emotions, and appropriate gestures. The result was a movie that explored mature and relevant issues..self-doubt, fear of change, fear of rejection on many levels, and trust in the honesty of ones friends, even after what felt like betrayals.

this movie is a real winner!

We could all learn to handle criticism better...and what is better than having snowballs lofted at you!

[cgvsluis · 5/10 · 20 December 2020]

Alicia Witt always seems fragile or in need of protecting/fixing...I think that might be a thing for some guys, but most women prefer a stronger character. The writer's conference for romance authors was a fun holiday twist. This movie had some good dialogue and even better one liners. It was a hate to love to hate to love story. I really bought their friendship and his growing affection. Wish we all had friends who could wiek us off for Christmas in New York! Cute, different and probably worth a viewing.

Another Hallmark Christmas Classic

[timmurphy-2 · 9/10 · 25 November 2017]

The Hallmark Christmas movies have a basic theme-guy & girl meet, attraction begins, some impediment arises...usually due to some misunderstanding, and then true love prevails. What distinguishes the better Hallmark movies from some of the lesser offerings are the cast. Alicia Witt is an extraordinary actress, and brings a combination of fun, warmth and fun to these roles. Mistletoe Inn is no different. The plot is based on a novel by the same name. It is fun and upbeat, and the acting by many familiar actors is solid. Strongly recommend.

Awful

[rwl-95430 · 2/10 · 27 November 2017]

Maybe the worst Hallmark Christmas movie ever. So boring, so bad. My wife and I endured it like a root canal. I'm not a big Alicia Witt fan and would strongly disagree with the person who said she is the "queen" of Hallmark movies. For me, she is way down the list. One of the few Hallmark movies I will never watch a second time.

Kiss the girl

[Jackbv123 · 8/10 · 23 November 2017]

I may be biased because for me, Alicia Witt is the queen of Hallmark Christmas movies. I loved her in this for several reasons. She does Awe and Wonder really well. She also does the weird facial expression really well. And she is great here with David Alpay. Even in the traditional early movie I-hate-you phase they had chemistry.

This story had what was, to me at least, an original concept and a great one too. It was about a man and a woman who meet at a writers' workshop. There was also a little mystery going on as to whether one of the workshop attendees was the famous romance novelist incognito. The story had one more element that is always dear to me. Kim had a true and loyal friend who went the extra mile for her. Lucie Guest was great as Samantha.

While tweeting during the movie, some real writers were chiming in that parts of the plot were hitting home for them.

The Two Stars Were Good. Ironically, the Writing was Weak

[sbradfor-863-215238 · 5/10 · 25 November 2017]

I've watched several movies/TV Shows with Alicia Witt. She is a good actress. Her love interest in the film was quite good too. Her ex- boyfriend was very one dimensional, but his part was terribly written. It's ironic that a film about romance writing would be so horribly written. I would rate the writing a 2 out of 10. Weak, with one- dimensional characters and really poor dialog and phony situations (even for a Hallmark romance movie).

It's too bad the two stars didn't have better material to work with.

On a side note, I wish they would quit filming these things in the summer. Is it so difficult to film them one winter and present them the next?

Another Alicia Witt Winner

[busaff · 9/10 · 27 November 2017]

As an earlier reviewer noted, Alicia Witt is the Queen of Hallmark Christmas movies.

She plays to her strengths here creating a witty, warm character. She has great chemistry with her new best friend (Lucie Guest) and prospective love interest (David Alpay).

The best scene in the film is her (Witt) complaining about his (Alpay) typing on a typewriter as he complains about her "whale sounds" white noise generator late one night. The dialogue is funny banter, the actors play well off each and it is beautifully shot and directed (Thank you director Alex Wright).

The whole film is like that, a nice classy romantic comedy.

The novelist Richard Paul Evans has a cameo in the film. Next time, let's promote him to the supporting role of Dad.

Could be a 'c' not 'd' movie...

[vickibaker-1 · 5/10 · 29 November 2017]

I do love Alicia. She was my very favourite part of 'Cybill'. Continuity people need to be strung up from their toenails! Is it really that hard to figure out if the purse is in the shot? (snowball fight scene) Where did her suitcase go? Why is there a 'Birks' in NY??? Come on people - sharpen up! If I can 'proof read' from home, send me a msg!

Smart and funny, and a very different story from other Hallmark Christmas fare

[VetteRanger · 10/10 · 6 December 2019]

The Mistletoe Inn is a vanishing breed in the world of Hallmark Christmas movies -- an original story! Probably because it comes from a well-received book.

An aspiring author has been dumped by her boyfriend who thinks he's a "serious writer", and she isn't. She decides to go to a writers' conference where she unexpectedly meets her ex, AND a somewhat mysterious writer. And thus begins a well-done antithetical romance. As opposed to some Hallmark stories which start an antithetical romance but don't have the guts to carry it forward, this one carries the conflict deep into the story, which is doing it the right way.

Alicia Witt's quirky acting style is perfect for this role, and always sets her apart from the perky, plastic performances we see from so many lead actresses in these movies. She makes the film, but is ably supported by David Alpay (the mysterious writer).

The film produces audible chuckles, which also elevates it above the average. Definitely worth watching.

One of my Favorites!

[scrapbarks · 31 December 2019]

I love this movie! Alicia Witt is delightful as always, David Alpay is charming and interesting and it all comes together! The supporting characters ring true to every writing class I've ever participated in. It's also a bit of a different story but with the classic Hallmark cozy settings!

Lacklustre Christmas

[TheLittleSongbird · 4/10 · 8 January 2020]

Reviews for 'The Mistletoe Inn' on here seemed to be very mixed, when first coming across it as part of my Hallmark/Lifetime etc festive film completest quest (have had a lot of these quests over the past few years). Some really liked the film, while some were mixed on it and others disliked it. Alicia Witt's, who can be competent in the right role, lead performance garnered a mixed to negative critical reception too, so was not sure what my expectations were.

'The Mistletoe Inn' on the most part left me quite indifferent, Hallmark festive films can be watchable and more but this is not one of them. Didn't hate it but there is too much wrong with it, summed up very well already, for me to recommend it in any way. Definitely in my view among the lesser Hallmark festive efforts from 2017, with the writing alone bringing the film down significantly (ruined it even). Count me in as one of those people that was not impressed by Witt's acting here as a character that was perfect for her on paper.

Actually thought the rest of the cast fared quite well, despite all the characters being quite poorly written here. David Alpay is a likeable leading man with a presence not hard to warm to. In support, the charm of Lucie Gest especially stood out.

It's a lovely looking film, the truly attractive settings are the main redeeming merit and the photography complements well. The soundtrack is not ham-fisted or too syrupy, capturing the spirit of the holiday nicely.

Witt's acting however for my tastes was really affected and pompous, which made her very annoying, and her character really gets on the nerves because her personality traits are so exaggerated. The lack of any proper chemistry with Alpay is the main reason as to why the romantic element of the film fails, found the chemistry predictable, awkward, too underplayed and disconnected. That it was really difficult to root for any of the characters, who are little more than shallow stereotypes seen all the time with Hallmark and with little variation each time. Samantha is the best written character, but Kim is pretty intolerable throughout and although Casey Manderson does his best as Garth there is absolutely no depth to Garth (the stereotypical bad boyfriend).

Dialogue is throughout painful to listen to, so incredibly phony and childish with a far from smooth flow and forced sentimentality and no charm. The story, especially the first half an hour, is lifeless in pace and atmosphere, and with such bad writing, unrelatable and underdeveloped characters and a lead performance not working on any level there is just no warmth or heart here. If you have seen other Hallmark festive romance films, you'll know exactly how this maps out as it is pure "see a few and you've seen them all" formula with no creativity in sight. The direction is similarly disconnected and 'The Mistletoe Inn' is a failure in the continuity department too, it is riddled with blatant lapses in it and it is so unforgivably careless.

On the whole, very lacklustre. Am really trying to be nice here, being someone who has always tried to be encouraging and fair, but 'The Mistletoe Inn' regrettably just didn't do it for me. To be checked out for a one-time watch for some of the acting and the settings, but ruined by Witt and the writing. 4/10