This movie is the perfect affirmation for those who believe that hope is worth the effort, even though fairy tales are just fictional. The struggles of life are stressful, especially when one adds grief to the equation. Losing a loved one is tragic for anyone, but the lingering feelings of pain and loneliness can bring a person to an awful place. This movie is more allegorical, than a tale of fanciful imagination. It appeals to the romance, optimism, and enduring liberty every heart yearns to thrive. No one in the cast will win an Academy Award for the picture, but they score big when it pertains to delivering a wholesome performance for the entire family.
10 Reviews
A cute change of pace from Hallmark
mritchie-874-15678728 April 2020
The title would indicate that a snowy cityscape and a jaunty Christmas carol should open this film, but instead, we get some rather ominous music and shots of folks in togas looking anguished against an ancient Greek seascape. In the 12th century, Daphne spurns the hunky Pericles, and his mom puts Daphne under a curse to become a mermaid until she can return to land, find the reborn Pericles and perform a selfless act. In the present day, she finds Pericles (as a depressed widower named Travis who is about to lose his Florida beach town bar) and tries to redeem herself with him.
This isn't a traditional Hallmark Christmas movie. Its holiday tropes are more inspired by Dickens than by Hallmark. But that winds up being a good thing. I wasn't familiar with the actors, but it turns out that most of them are soap opera stars .In terms of talent, they can generally hold their own against Hallmark regulars. Arianne Zucker is particularly good, having fun with the villain role. At one point, someone says to her, "You sound like a character on a soap opera" and later when she's asked why she's being so mean to Travis, she replies, "Because I'm the bad guy!" Jessica Morris as Daphne is fine; Kyle Lowder as Travis is a little less so, but I'm shallow enough not to care because he's pretty darn hot. The Christmas elements aren't played up very much and It also has a hard time keeping the balance between serious and humorous from tipping occasionally. But as a change of pace from the usual holiday fare, this was kind of refreshing.
This isn't a traditional Hallmark Christmas movie. Its holiday tropes are more inspired by Dickens than by Hallmark. But that winds up being a good thing. I wasn't familiar with the actors, but it turns out that most of them are soap opera stars .In terms of talent, they can generally hold their own against Hallmark regulars. Arianne Zucker is particularly good, having fun with the villain role. At one point, someone says to her, "You sound like a character on a soap opera" and later when she's asked why she's being so mean to Travis, she replies, "Because I'm the bad guy!" Jessica Morris as Daphne is fine; Kyle Lowder as Travis is a little less so, but I'm shallow enough not to care because he's pretty darn hot. The Christmas elements aren't played up very much and It also has a hard time keeping the balance between serious and humorous from tipping occasionally. But as a change of pace from the usual holiday fare, this was kind of refreshing.
OMG the acting is really bad
akeller-143277 December 2019
The acting/directing was really bad, like high-school drama class without any restraint or good taste. Did they even rehearse? I found this movie to be unwatchable, even though I tend to give Christmas movies a pass on qualify of production and acting.
Comically Bad
emutown4 December 2019
This movie was honestly something I would expect on the Hallmark channel. The storyline was really silly, the acting was dreadful. I found myself cringing at how awkwardly written it was. The antagonist was utterly ridiculous.
Don't waste your time with this one folks.
Oy
thefonashs14 December 2019
I'm a sucker for cheesy Christmas movies. This one started out very promising (the backstory was done very nicely) but the movie went downhill quickly.
Why is every actor screaming their lines and super mad?!? I'm disappointed that it's not just a cheesy movie, but it's an unwatchable, very bad cheesy Christmas movie.
It's so bad that I googled it, so I could find a place to leave a review. I also took the time to reset my imbd password to get in. SMH
Why is every actor screaming their lines and super mad?!? I'm disappointed that it's not just a cheesy movie, but it's an unwatchable, very bad cheesy Christmas movie.
It's so bad that I googled it, so I could find a place to leave a review. I also took the time to reset my imbd password to get in. SMH
Dreadful, Amateurish, Unwatchable
lferrin25 December 2019
Chloe and Brady
christybarnum-6610514 December 2019
Soapy Goodness
falconboy-665022 December 2019
American Acting
PlasticActor27 October 2023
... American cannot act anymore. Valley girl accents haunt every picture. Perhaps they could act if they had the right Director; or actors from Montana? Or a director that cuts all the superficial rubbish, superfluous facial gestures, endless non-essential body movements, etc., etc. I know people thrive on "feelgood" but does it have be this dystopian? I don't expect Shakespeare but is there any middle ground? If the problem is having a writer as director I understand, but it just seems like Splash 2 is going to break out and that sickening sound effect from Darrell Hannah will be replaced as whale suffering death throws of pleasure or pain...perhaps both. Ooppsies out takes at the end just increases the dysfunctional feel of: "when it will all end"?? I love Christmas and being away from Hollyweed I realise how huge the Christmas film bonanza is. Only satisfied if it tortures the Christmas haters. Try getting a mermaid tail that does not expose your feet even if you're in the waves.
On a SCALE of 1-10, this film was an 11!
thecringefactormoviereviews14 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film spoke to our hearts for more reasons than one. Of course, the Christmas message added so much to the movie- we simply cannot imagine the film taking place without it. In a particularly moving scene, Daphne rushed up to a delightful Santa impersonator on the street and embraced him with immense passion- truly inspiring! Really showed us the true meaning of Christmas. Also, the tie-ins to the classic best-selling book Greek Mythology (which might go over the average viewer's head, but is well appreciated by those like us who have studied the classics) are poignant and well-executed. Our hearts shattered for Pericles as we witnessed him unjustly friendzoned. We shared in the witch's wrath when she cursed Daphne for friendzoning our beloved Pericles. And we followed Daphne on her journey to redemption for her heinous sin. One thing that we should learn from this film is how accepting the family was of the mermaid. They did not think twice about allowing her to take refuge in their salt-water swimming pool. We all shed a single tear when we saw Vanessa come back from beyond the grave and fondly call her husband by his classic nickname, "Corn Dog". We had such instant fondness for this nickname so much that we are referring to each of our spouses by this unforgettable nickname and ONLY by this nickname. 3 of us, unrelated to this decision, are now divorced (if any single, film-classic-loving "Corn Dogs" are out there and ready to mingle with other single "Corn Dogs", please feel free to private message us ;-))). The only reason you should not watch this film would be if you were slowly being dragged underwater by a merperson (gender neutral term) and it were dragging you at a rate that in an hour and a half you would be dead. In that case, you should watch the Bee Movie by Jerry Seinfeld (™). However, we would highly recommend this film to any other recently-divorced people, as it helps to distract from the crippling and horrifying loneliness and regret of life.
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