I enjoyed the movie and appreciated that they were trying to bring two cultures together. However, I found it odd that the writers took pains to explain the religious beginnings of the Eight Days of Hanukkah but their explanation of Christmas made no mention the birth of Jesus Christ.
20 Reviews
Sweet merriment
TheLittleSongbird3 August 2020
My Lifetime Christmas film viewings over-time have been a very mixed bag. With some surprisingly good hits, where regardless of how predictable they are succeed in being full of charm, warmth and heart so succeeding in being light-hearted and undemanding fun. But also some quite big misses, where the characters are not likeable, everything is forced and shallow with implausibility too in some of the worst cases, the acting and writing being weak and basically with just nothing to them.
'A Merry Holiday' (another title is also listed but this one is much better) is a strong example of the former and left me very surprised, as something who was in all honesty not expecting to like it that much as the concept on paper didn't wow me. As far as the Lifetime films go, 'A Merry Christmas' definitely struck me as one of the best and certainly one of their best from their 2019 output. Am judging it by the way on how it fares on its own terms instead of comparing it to anything or implying that it is on par, worse than or better than anything better known and better regarded.
Production values are slick and never drab or garish, while the story is poignant and brought a lot of warmth to my heart. Enough of the music is also very pleasant and fits quite well, the songs don't feel too many and don't intrude. What's more, they made me smile, they had some emotion at least and a couple stuck in my mind for a while after.
There are a fair share of amusing moments that never felt overdone and an equal amount of never too over-sentimental serious ones. The writing is a long way from perfect, but for Lifetime it's acceptable. Enough of the story is very charming and heart-warming and even if the characters are not meaty they were characters to me that were worth caring for. Kelly Jackle is immensely appealing and she is matched by Jake Epstein, their chemistry is never awkward and is quite adorable. The supporting cast do well.
It is not a perfect or great film though. There is no doubt, with it being the case with all Lifetime Christmas films and being a long way from being a novel premise, that the story is very predictable and quite safe throughout, so there are major plot points and developments that can be seen from a long way away.
Did think that the writing did lack subtlety and some parts did make the toes curl a bit. A little more could have been done with the Hanukkah theme, which could have been delved into more and handled in a more balanced way.
Concluding, not great but a pleasant surprise actually. 7/10
'A Merry Holiday' (another title is also listed but this one is much better) is a strong example of the former and left me very surprised, as something who was in all honesty not expecting to like it that much as the concept on paper didn't wow me. As far as the Lifetime films go, 'A Merry Christmas' definitely struck me as one of the best and certainly one of their best from their 2019 output. Am judging it by the way on how it fares on its own terms instead of comparing it to anything or implying that it is on par, worse than or better than anything better known and better regarded.
Production values are slick and never drab or garish, while the story is poignant and brought a lot of warmth to my heart. Enough of the music is also very pleasant and fits quite well, the songs don't feel too many and don't intrude. What's more, they made me smile, they had some emotion at least and a couple stuck in my mind for a while after.
There are a fair share of amusing moments that never felt overdone and an equal amount of never too over-sentimental serious ones. The writing is a long way from perfect, but for Lifetime it's acceptable. Enough of the story is very charming and heart-warming and even if the characters are not meaty they were characters to me that were worth caring for. Kelly Jackle is immensely appealing and she is matched by Jake Epstein, their chemistry is never awkward and is quite adorable. The supporting cast do well.
It is not a perfect or great film though. There is no doubt, with it being the case with all Lifetime Christmas films and being a long way from being a novel premise, that the story is very predictable and quite safe throughout, so there are major plot points and developments that can be seen from a long way away.
Did think that the writing did lack subtlety and some parts did make the toes curl a bit. A little more could have been done with the Hanukkah theme, which could have been delved into more and handled in a more balanced way.
Concluding, not great but a pleasant surprise actually. 7/10
Enjoyable chemistry.
t-mccheyne17 December 2019
What a Delightful Holiday Movie!
omijer8 December 2019
Not sure which movie title this film is using..I saw it as Mistletoe and Menorahs on Lifetime Channel and was absolutely enchanted! The premise of the story is politically so relevant in today's culture. The two leading characters come from different religious backgrounds and each needs to learn about the other's religious traditions in order to impress someone in their life. Bravo to Lifetime for addressing the reality that there are different religions celebrating this season! The female lead needs to learn about Hanukkah and the male lead needs to learn about Christmas. Of course, we know that no matter how this adventure unfolds, it will end happily with a kiss. But on its way to that ending, the lessons learned are portrayed beautifully and respectfully, with both religions being learned about with joy and warm emotions. There is an abundance of historical meaning explained regarding both religions and their traditions.
The leading couple are two of the most attractive to be featured a holiday movie in a very long time. The heroine is not only beautiful, but is portrayed as intelligent, serious, not frivolous and giggling as so many holiday movie heroines are portrayed. Her smile is dazzling! The leading man is a new face for this viewer, handsome, with sparkling eyes and a really attractive personality. One wishes to see a great deal more of this actor.
The movie also ventures into yet another new territory, in that it portrays a gay marriage between two of the male characters..The relationship is presented with love, dignity and maturity. There is not one second of any inappropriate dialogue or characterization. Bravo to Lifetime for bringing its viewers into the 21st century!
The only characterization in the film that was a bit over the top was that of the Jewish grandmother, whose mannerisms and intonations were a bit of a caricature. She was lovely looking but somewhat excessively portrayed.
Other than that, this is a glorious holiday film for everyone, and should be on a 'must see' list for this season. It is also appropriate for children to watch as the lessons it teaches about religions other than ones own are beautifully taught. I will watch it again.
Balance missing
rismi-2525410 December 2023
In general it was a movie with a good message, but it didn't have enough balance. I would have preferred that the Christmas celebration also mentioned the religious part of how and why Christians celebrate CHRISTmas. I work in an international school and we learn to appreciate different cultures and faiths. In my classroom parents were invited to share about theirs in special occasions: Diwali, Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, also Carnival in the nice child's version. We also said not everyone had a religion and that also needed to be respected and accepted. So I would have liked to see the balance here as well. We say Happy Holidays but are sometimes constricted about saying Merry Christmas because it's 'religious'. Why?
MISTLETOE AND MENORAHS
amyrenea-070899 December 2019
Congratulations Lifetime, Kelley Jakle, Jake Epstein and cast and crew for making a beautiful story about Hannakuh, Christmas, showing how traditions are different. but the love of family is still the same. I really enjoyed this movie.
One sided religion vs secular Holiday
Toolmom522 December 2019
This movie told the reason for Hanukkah with the miracle of the oil.
This movie did not mention the reason for Christmas being the miracle and birth of Christ. It instead made Christmas a secular holiday.
Christmas and Hanukkah both bring family and friends together for their joyous occasions.
As a Christian I am offended by the writers and director for leaving out the true meaning for Christmas.
Lifetime Christmas in 2019 killed it.
Whitneywest1023 November 2020
I kept saying last year that people were sleeping on Lifetime. I loved almost everything Lifetime in 2019. 2020 hasn't been so great but we never got to Mistletoe and Menorahs last year so we finally watched now. I LOVED IT. I hope more stories are written combing Christmas and Hanukkah because I've thoroughly enjoyed everyone I've watched with both holidays. I do believe this was the best of them though. The viewer actually really got to learn and see a lot of the Hanukkah traditions. Both lead roles really nailed their performances too. This was the perfect blend of everything I want in my holiday movies! So, more of this PLEASE!!
Beyond toe-curling
papadopoulos-panos10 August 2020
Saccharine, prosaic, unfunny, tedious, badly acted, worse scripted. The female lead smiles and giggles her way through a terrible performance buttressed by lines so wooden they'd put Pinocchio to shame. The male lead looks woefully uncomfortable for the entire duration of the movie - as if he landed this part because he lost a bet.
Only chance you'll appreciate this train-wreck of a movie is if you're in a coma.
That is my diatribe for M&M. Enjoy, comatose person.
That is my diatribe for M&M. Enjoy, comatose person.
A hallmark movie finally about Hanukkah!
CoraTree26 December 2019
I just loved Mistletoe & Menorahs aka A Merry Holiday (2019). I had yet to find a decent movie about Hanukkah and this was really fun and enjoyable since I am Jewish but also secretly love Christmas. Plus the actors were so lovable and had such great chemistry. Plus, it's just a great overview of the Hanukah story in general.
A swing and a miss - Not the fault of the cast or production
revali-9022311 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I was excited at the thought of seeing a movie I imagined would bring information and understanding to not only the characters, but the audience as well. It was a cute movie, but completely missed the opportunity the title (Mistletoe & Menorahs) promised. I wanted a good feeling about people coming to understand and respect each other's faith group...to look at ways we are alike, and God's presence in all of it. Both Christmas and Hanukkah are grounded in miracles. God being there for us when we are in deep need. While I agree family is important, which they made central to the story, there was not even a mention of Jesus' name. How unfortunate. It wouldn't have needed to be overly religious to be spiritual. Unfortunate.
What a Lovely Surprise
skpn12311 December 2019
While having just the right amount of the essential cheese and schmaltz this film is an intelligent look at integrating end of year traditions in communities and families - very watchable and fun while inspiring us to do better both in our family traditions and in our linkages with our communities and work colleagues.
Amateur writing, acting and directing
king-leonidas231 October 2020
Was expecting this to be awful
garzamom9 December 2019
Charmingly original.
MIssM195 August 2020
Christy loves Christmas, and she is putting a presentation at work for someone who is Jewish, which she knows nothing about. Jonathan is Jewish and her girlfriend's family celebrates Christmas, which he doesn't known anything about. So, they make a pact to teach each other about their respective holidays.
I love this concept. I really enjoyed the movie. It was quite educational, at least for me, someone who knew NOTHING about Hanukkah, plus add the romance and you have a winner! There are a lot of movies about Christmas out there. I've seen one or two with Jewish theme, but this had both, and it works!
Great chemistry between the leads. I would definitely watch them again in the future. She is cheerful, but not in a cringey way and he is quite charming. I definitely recommend it!
I love this concept. I really enjoyed the movie. It was quite educational, at least for me, someone who knew NOTHING about Hanukkah, plus add the romance and you have a winner! There are a lot of movies about Christmas out there. I've seen one or two with Jewish theme, but this had both, and it works!
Great chemistry between the leads. I would definitely watch them again in the future. She is cheerful, but not in a cringey way and he is quite charming. I definitely recommend it!
4 stars
jacob_sewell20 December 2022
Do yourself a favor and watch another Chanukah movie. In order to truly enjoy this, you'll have to go to bestbuy and purchase a gps tag because you'll be so far suspended from your disbelief. Believe me! I tried switching my brain off for this one but the amount of blaring exposition and surface level symbolism is repulsive. Not to mention the horrible and repetitive writing and music (lack of). Yeah if you are on a quest to see the world's greatest recreation of what a team of harvard film school educated mice could produce with the guidance of a blind man who's favorite color is white, then yeah you might get a kick out of this one. Subplot romance is pretty rocky but it's there. Comedy is not. I'm gonna go watch the rugrats chanukah now see y'all over there.
Viewed it as Mistletoe and Menorahs
Jackbv12320 December 2019
You want different? This is different. Yes there was a movie a few years back with the similarities of blending a Christmas and Hannukah, but it was lame, and there are plenty of differences.
The story has enough different things going on that it does not get boring as it builds up to a great conclusion, even though it is plenty cheesy.
The leads! I loved Kelley Jackle last year in Christmas Harmony. I hope she continues to do Christmas movies. Some might think she is a little over the top cheerful or that her smile is less than sincere. But I love this kind of leading lady and Jackle is definitely growing on me as a favorite. Then there is Jake Epstein. Please let's see more of him in Christmas movies. He did a twofer for Lifetime this year and was great also in A Storybook Christmas. And chemistry, yes. I loved these two together.
Some will like that there is diversity and an educational aspect to this movie. Some will hate at least the latter. I liked it.
BTW: a couple of reviewers penalized the movie for not mentioning Jesus, which I find strange. It is true that Jesus is the reason for the season and this movie stressed family and community instead. But how many Hallmark or Lifetime movies can you name that do mention Jesus as anything more than a baby in a manger, or by singing a religious Christmas song? Even UPtv seems to be careful not to emphasize Jesus too much.
The story has enough different things going on that it does not get boring as it builds up to a great conclusion, even though it is plenty cheesy.
The leads! I loved Kelley Jackle last year in Christmas Harmony. I hope she continues to do Christmas movies. Some might think she is a little over the top cheerful or that her smile is less than sincere. But I love this kind of leading lady and Jackle is definitely growing on me as a favorite. Then there is Jake Epstein. Please let's see more of him in Christmas movies. He did a twofer for Lifetime this year and was great also in A Storybook Christmas. And chemistry, yes. I loved these two together.
Some will like that there is diversity and an educational aspect to this movie. Some will hate at least the latter. I liked it.
BTW: a couple of reviewers penalized the movie for not mentioning Jesus, which I find strange. It is true that Jesus is the reason for the season and this movie stressed family and community instead. But how many Hallmark or Lifetime movies can you name that do mention Jesus as anything more than a baby in a manger, or by singing a religious Christmas song? Even UPtv seems to be careful not to emphasize Jesus too much.
Kelley Jakle is the Queen of Christmas and Hanukkah
solojere1 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Mistletoe & Menorahs is pretty much your standard Christmas movie with all the tropes and Clichés you'd come to expect from this type of movie. The only real difference is that the man is Jewish. The film follows Christy Dickinson, who, as her name suggests, is a Christmas Fanatic. However, when she discovers her boss is Jewish, Christ seeks out helps from Jonathan Silver to learn about Hanukkah. In return, she agrees to help him turn his house into a Christmas Wonderland to impress his girlfriend's father. While they both are dating other people, it's pretty clear that they are going to get together from the start. Even though it's pretty predictable, it's a cute film about people from two different religions coming together and learning about one another's culture. Also, as someone who isn't Jewish, I enjoyed learning about the history behind the Hanukkah traditions. Kelley Jakle once again proves that she is the queen of movies. She is way too cute and defiantly makes this film worth watching. Overall, it's a cute, feel-good Christmas movie that does everything it needs to. So if cheesy Christmas movies are your thing, give this one a watch.
Great Chemistry and entertainment
nikontrish-401771 April 2021
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