7.1 stars.
I'd like to think there is a lot of potential with 'Hats Off to Christmas', because the characters are all well developed and likable. The dialogue is emotionally inspired and everything seems in place, but something is amiss. I think the setting and maybe even a bit of the cinematography is stale. That was all I could negatively critique in and otherwise endearing and uplifting story.
The leads have good chemistry, the santa replicant also owner/father has just enough screen time to get acquainted. The male lead is very easy to dislike for the first several minutes, his obvious disdain for honest and hard working folk was almost revolting. He comes around and becomes quite charismatic, even if a bit weird, and we forget all about his cynical arrogance. Female lead does a great job, one of her better performances. I've seen Duff do some awkward roles and I think the vitality of her career waned around the time this movie was released. Glad to see she got a chance to show us her good side. I'd watch this again someday, maybe in 5-10 years.
I'd like to think there is a lot of potential with 'Hats Off to Christmas', because the characters are all well developed and likable. The dialogue is emotionally inspired and everything seems in place, but something is amiss. I think the setting and maybe even a bit of the cinematography is stale. That was all I could negatively critique in and otherwise endearing and uplifting story.
The leads have good chemistry, the santa replicant also owner/father has just enough screen time to get acquainted. The male lead is very easy to dislike for the first several minutes, his obvious disdain for honest and hard working folk was almost revolting. He comes around and becomes quite charismatic, even if a bit weird, and we forget all about his cynical arrogance. Female lead does a great job, one of her better performances. I've seen Duff do some awkward roles and I think the vitality of her career waned around the time this movie was released. Glad to see she got a chance to show us her good side. I'd watch this again someday, maybe in 5-10 years.