This is my 1st Lifetime Christmas movie of the 2020 season. Overall, it was pretty good. I do agree with another reviewer on here: the music was really bad at times/really bad for some scenes. That said, the acting was good. Abigail Klein was great (a lot of Christmas cheer in her performance). The supporting cast was also very good; I particularly like the performance of the daughter and grandfather. The film does a good job too of providing the festive/Christmas atmosphere, which I have grown to like in Hallmark and Lifetime movies. Overall, a good start to the 2020 Christmas movie season by Lifetime.
24 Reviews
Overall a good movie
jagfannn25 October 2020
This is an interesting, uplifting story with a very likeable cast. The female lead comes off sweet but one emotional speed, yet still seems to have chemistry with the adorable little girl and her father. Overall It's a good Christmas movie and worth a watch.
Save the oval
Jackbv12324 October 2020
The story was totally all the usual stuff for the Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas movies. Save the _____ (Oval). Buy a tree as a "family". Christmas cookies. Ice skating.
The movie gets a lift from the optimistic and energetic performance of Abigail Klein. I'd like to say that there was great chemistry between Klein and Ryan Cooper and I think there was potential, but so much screen time on saving the rink diluted the relationship of the leads.
I would have liked to see more time on the relationships and less on the politics of saving the oval.
And as typical with a appealing child in the mix, some of the chemistry was between Klein and Meara Mahoney-Gross who plays Grace. (Interestingly Mahoney-Gross appears to do her own skating, but in the performance with the other skaters you can see that she isn't as smooth as the others who all probably are or have been competitive skaters. Still, a lot of adult stars need either body doubles, green screens, or platforms below the camera level to move them along on ice.)
There are a lot of songs which are also very upbeat. I find it odd that in movie after movie there are people that complain they can't hear dialogue as a result of the music being too loud. I've never had that problem, but it seems to be a real one for a number of people. There are certainly times in this movie when the background music is noticeably loud, but as I said, not so much as to be a problem on my TV. The songs with lyrics are meant to be heard.
The inevitable conflict in the romance is both a bit unusual and perhaps leads to a little overreaction on Courtney's part. Not to say that some reaction on her part isn't warranted, but she's unwilling to hear the other side which is never good with some one you care about. I hate the expression "He always has a choice." While technically true, in the real world, it is often essentially untrue in practice.
You know the photo in the office is going to lead to something significant, but I didn't see what it was coming. Did you? That thread presents some interesting developments.
The movie gets a lift from the optimistic and energetic performance of Abigail Klein. I'd like to say that there was great chemistry between Klein and Ryan Cooper and I think there was potential, but so much screen time on saving the rink diluted the relationship of the leads.
I would have liked to see more time on the relationships and less on the politics of saving the oval.
And as typical with a appealing child in the mix, some of the chemistry was between Klein and Meara Mahoney-Gross who plays Grace. (Interestingly Mahoney-Gross appears to do her own skating, but in the performance with the other skaters you can see that she isn't as smooth as the others who all probably are or have been competitive skaters. Still, a lot of adult stars need either body doubles, green screens, or platforms below the camera level to move them along on ice.)
There are a lot of songs which are also very upbeat. I find it odd that in movie after movie there are people that complain they can't hear dialogue as a result of the music being too loud. I've never had that problem, but it seems to be a real one for a number of people. There are certainly times in this movie when the background music is noticeably loud, but as I said, not so much as to be a problem on my TV. The songs with lyrics are meant to be heard.
The inevitable conflict in the romance is both a bit unusual and perhaps leads to a little overreaction on Courtney's part. Not to say that some reaction on her part isn't warranted, but she's unwilling to hear the other side which is never good with some one you care about. I hate the expression "He always has a choice." While technically true, in the real world, it is often essentially untrue in practice.
You know the photo in the office is going to lead to something significant, but I didn't see what it was coming. Did you? That thread presents some interesting developments.
Decency on ice
TheLittleSongbird16 November 2021
Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. And 'Christmas on Ice' did have the sort of premise where the execution could have gone either way.
Lifetime's 2020 Christmas film batch, like all their previous years, was pretty hit and miss which was not unexpected when one takes the circumstances into account, though a better standard than 2019's. 'Christmas on Ice' managed to be one of the better ones once it settled fully, despite there being a medium sized gap where there was some uncertainty of whether to continue or not. It also had a more mature theme than most which was appreciated and done quite well.
By all means, 'Christmas on Ice' isn't perfect. It does start on the slow side and the dialogue is a bit cheesy to begin with. Some motivations did feel rushed and didn't really surprise, especially later on.
Felt the same way with the ending, which had a bit of an abrupt, anti-climactic feel too. The music could have been used less and some of the choices didn't seem appropriate.
There are a lot of things done well in 'Christmas on Ice'. Abigail Klein radiates energy and charm and really does brighten the screen, wholly succeeding in making her character fleshed out and likeable. Ryan Cooper is an amiable leading man and their chemistry is sweet and genuine, part of me wishes there was more of the relationship and not as much of the saving the rink plotting. The best supporting turn comes from adorable and heartfelt Meara Mahoney-Gross, whose chemistry with Klein was even better than Klein and Cooper's.
Moreover, a great job is done with the Christmas atmosphere, where it does feel like Christmas and in an affectionate way. Some lovely Christmas touches and there are some very sweet, but not sickly, scenes. Was not crazy about the script early on, but it did have a nice mix of funny and poignant lines once momentum built. The story may be thin and doesn't do an awful lot new with a familiar scenario but has a warm heart and charm and doesn't take itself too seriously. The characters are also ones worth caring for. It looks good as a film, especially the scenery.
Summing up, pleasant way to pass the time. 6/10.
Lifetime's 2020 Christmas film batch, like all their previous years, was pretty hit and miss which was not unexpected when one takes the circumstances into account, though a better standard than 2019's. 'Christmas on Ice' managed to be one of the better ones once it settled fully, despite there being a medium sized gap where there was some uncertainty of whether to continue or not. It also had a more mature theme than most which was appreciated and done quite well.
By all means, 'Christmas on Ice' isn't perfect. It does start on the slow side and the dialogue is a bit cheesy to begin with. Some motivations did feel rushed and didn't really surprise, especially later on.
Felt the same way with the ending, which had a bit of an abrupt, anti-climactic feel too. The music could have been used less and some of the choices didn't seem appropriate.
There are a lot of things done well in 'Christmas on Ice'. Abigail Klein radiates energy and charm and really does brighten the screen, wholly succeeding in making her character fleshed out and likeable. Ryan Cooper is an amiable leading man and their chemistry is sweet and genuine, part of me wishes there was more of the relationship and not as much of the saving the rink plotting. The best supporting turn comes from adorable and heartfelt Meara Mahoney-Gross, whose chemistry with Klein was even better than Klein and Cooper's.
Moreover, a great job is done with the Christmas atmosphere, where it does feel like Christmas and in an affectionate way. Some lovely Christmas touches and there are some very sweet, but not sickly, scenes. Was not crazy about the script early on, but it did have a nice mix of funny and poignant lines once momentum built. The story may be thin and doesn't do an awful lot new with a familiar scenario but has a warm heart and charm and doesn't take itself too seriously. The characters are also ones worth caring for. It looks good as a film, especially the scenery.
Summing up, pleasant way to pass the time. 6/10.
Good Christmas fun
Sergiodave3 December 2020
the cast was deserving of a better script.
rebekahrox19 November 2020
Abigail Klein and Ryan Cooper make for a very watchable show, regardless of the hackneyed "Save the ______ " plot. They are both very attractive. The little daughter was a doll. The star of the show in my eyes, though, was Caroline Portu as Courtney's best friend. She did a great job with comedy and general appeal. Although next time, find her a more age appropriate boyfriend, who looked like he was about 18 and could have passed for 15.
A plodding plot
Pete-Claus21 December 2020
I really wanted to like this movie, but the plot seemed to be moving predictably and slowly along with no real surprises and without developing any real chemistry between any of the leads, so I gave up after a little while.
Great
ortega-9773922 December 2020
Above Average Movie in the Christmas Genre
johne-5595218 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I stumbled into this movie and was pleasantly surprised. Decent acting. Pretty good scripting and directing. ...and it was actually filmed at the script's setting which has a completely different vibe than the Hallmark Vancouver Factory pix. Gritty Worchester is looking pretty good on the TV!
Very watchable holiday movie.
Very watchable holiday movie.
VIEWS ON FILM review of Christmas on Ice
burlesonjesse527 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Christmas on Ice is my latest review. It was released in October of this year and is distributed by Lifetime Television. Directed by TV movie auteur John Stimpson, "Ice" is a different kind of holiday helping from Lifetime. Gone is the googly-eyed stature by the pseudo romantic leads. Gone is all the muss and fuss about what are the best Xmas cookies. Finally, gone is the overindulgence of Christmas decor that seems to make every yuletide Lifetime swipe seem like a pop-up postcard. Yes "Ice" is more a drama in which a skating rink must be saved before a mayor decides to close it down. It's all about the bottom-line here (what business isn't about that bottom-line).
So OK, Christmas on Ice has some poignant moments but there's not much at stake. The ending feels a little anti-climatic with every resolution tied up neatly in a big bow (no pun intended). Added to that, the characters lives are bubbled, the plot about the little people VS the corporate suits seems imposed, and there's still that Lifetime cliche about a single father who lost his wife a few years ago. Oh well. At least you still get into the holiday spirit as you somewhat surrender to "Ice". I mean what goes better with Christmastime than outdoor skating in Worcester, MA (the film's snug shooting location).
Overall, Christmas on Ice is watchable but it suffers occasionally due to its main persona name Courtney (played by former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Abigail Klein). Klein channels Courtney as a somewhat standoffish young adult who's seamlessly bent on getting her way. She runs a skating rink that doesn't make any money yet she wonders why the powers that be are trying to take it away. Courtney also lives in a nice apartment, dresses accordingly, appears astute, and looks gorgeous. My questions for her are as follows: How does she pay her everyday bills? How does her rink stay open with its various expenses? Why won't she take a job that actually provides her with income? And what's with the sometimes snooty attitude Courtney? Next time try not to be so "Icy".
So OK, Christmas on Ice has some poignant moments but there's not much at stake. The ending feels a little anti-climatic with every resolution tied up neatly in a big bow (no pun intended). Added to that, the characters lives are bubbled, the plot about the little people VS the corporate suits seems imposed, and there's still that Lifetime cliche about a single father who lost his wife a few years ago. Oh well. At least you still get into the holiday spirit as you somewhat surrender to "Ice". I mean what goes better with Christmastime than outdoor skating in Worcester, MA (the film's snug shooting location).
Overall, Christmas on Ice is watchable but it suffers occasionally due to its main persona name Courtney (played by former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Abigail Klein). Klein channels Courtney as a somewhat standoffish young adult who's seamlessly bent on getting her way. She runs a skating rink that doesn't make any money yet she wonders why the powers that be are trying to take it away. Courtney also lives in a nice apartment, dresses accordingly, appears astute, and looks gorgeous. My questions for her are as follows: How does she pay her everyday bills? How does her rink stay open with its various expenses? Why won't she take a job that actually provides her with income? And what's with the sometimes snooty attitude Courtney? Next time try not to be so "Icy".
Filmed in Worcester, MA!
pdswagner-6783020 December 2020
OK movie
toncincin24 October 2020
Story the same. Love found. Had some twists and turns. It was watchable - unlike some Lifetime Christmas movies. Leads had good chemistry.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ... please lose all the love songs! One per movie is plenty. This one must gave gad 5-6 of them. So totally not necessary.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ... please lose all the love songs! One per movie is plenty. This one must gave gad 5-6 of them. So totally not necessary.
Actually rather good...
paul_haakonsen10 December 2021
Actually I must admit that when I sat down to watch the 2020 Christmas movie "Christmas on Ice" from writer and director John Stimpson, I believed it to be yet another archetypical sappy Christmas movie that comes a dime a dozen.
But still, as it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I opted to give the movie a chance.
And now having seen it, I have to say that "Christmas on Ice" was actually a little bit more than just your typical sappy romantic Christmas cheese. Sure, the movie had that aspect to it as well, but the whole aspect of the daughter and making it her best Christmas was actually quite nice.
The acting performances in "Christmas on Ice" were good. I can't claim to be familiar with the people on the cast list, but lead actress Abigail Klein and lead actor Ryan Cooper actually carried the movie quite well with their performances, and definitely had a great on-screen chemistry.
"Christmas on Ice" gives the audience a bit more than your archetypical Christmas cheese that you are served in an abundance by the Christmas movies. So it is actually well-worth taking the time to sit down and watch this 2020 Christmas movie.
My rating of "Christmas on Ice" lands on a six out of ten stars.
But still, as it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I opted to give the movie a chance.
And now having seen it, I have to say that "Christmas on Ice" was actually a little bit more than just your typical sappy romantic Christmas cheese. Sure, the movie had that aspect to it as well, but the whole aspect of the daughter and making it her best Christmas was actually quite nice.
The acting performances in "Christmas on Ice" were good. I can't claim to be familiar with the people on the cast list, but lead actress Abigail Klein and lead actor Ryan Cooper actually carried the movie quite well with their performances, and definitely had a great on-screen chemistry.
"Christmas on Ice" gives the audience a bit more than your archetypical Christmas cheese that you are served in an abundance by the Christmas movies. So it is actually well-worth taking the time to sit down and watch this 2020 Christmas movie.
My rating of "Christmas on Ice" lands on a six out of ten stars.
Sweet !
kris_love_slavi18 January 2022
Sweet movie. Beautiful story, beautiful actors, sweet chremisty between them. Like it. Leading actress is beautiful. She played her role very nice. The little girl is lovely. The Leading man is charming. Very like his voice. They look sweet together. Typical sweet Christmas movie.
The right choices that make all the difference
RaniaALDMR5 January 2022
Christmas on Ice could have been another boring Christmas movie because the story of the movie is common: saving the seasonal skating rink. Nothing original, a cliché.
However the choices made have allowed the movie to be very pleasant to watch, sometimes touching; all in all, a good Christmas movie, heartwarming, to watch with the family. Why?
First the choice of actors, all the actors, who are in complete harmony: the mayor, the main character's friend, her boyfriend, the little girl and the two main characters are perfect together, and are good actors, a very good choice. Also, the couple have a very good chemistry which makes the story more realistic, interesting, touching.
Then the director's choice to tell the story: in a simple way, without emphasis, with an emphasis on family, the meaning of Christmas, important values.
It is true that the beginning of the movie seemed to take the usual direction of the Christmas movies but the rest, which I will not reveal, is unexpected. The only criticism I will make is about the music: the choice of songs is not very good, too bad!
I advise you to watch this very pleasant, touching, unpretentious Christmas movie if you want to have a good time.
However the choices made have allowed the movie to be very pleasant to watch, sometimes touching; all in all, a good Christmas movie, heartwarming, to watch with the family. Why?
First the choice of actors, all the actors, who are in complete harmony: the mayor, the main character's friend, her boyfriend, the little girl and the two main characters are perfect together, and are good actors, a very good choice. Also, the couple have a very good chemistry which makes the story more realistic, interesting, touching.
Then the director's choice to tell the story: in a simple way, without emphasis, with an emphasis on family, the meaning of Christmas, important values.
It is true that the beginning of the movie seemed to take the usual direction of the Christmas movies but the rest, which I will not reveal, is unexpected. The only criticism I will make is about the music: the choice of songs is not very good, too bad!
I advise you to watch this very pleasant, touching, unpretentious Christmas movie if you want to have a good time.
Christmas on Ice warmed my heart
brendamaille22 December 2020
Lifetime has really upped its Christmas game in 2020. Its 2020 offerings far exceed most of its Christmas movies in prior years. I really liked this movie. Christmas on Ice's story followed a familiar pattern but it was done with a more compelling story and excellent acting. The leads, Abigail Klein and Ryan Cooper, were not known to me before but I will surely remember them now. They were perfectly cast and their acting was realistic and well done. What a pleasant surprise that the movie was actually filmed in the city where the story takes place. It added to the movie's believability. My one ever so minor complaint (and this is a chronic issue with me about movies set in New England with characters who are supposed to be from New England) is the pronunciation of the word "aunt". We here in NE do not say "ant"; we say "ahnt". Maybe Noah was raised somewhere else and I missed it. But for future reference directors...
A Very Good Seasonal Movie
docm-3230414 December 2021
I really liked this film. The scenery and the skating were beautiful and it was nice to hear children laughing. The story was good as was the acting. It was also refreshing to see a movie devoid of crabby women, Christmas hater and sophomoric romance nonsense. It was light-hearted and relaxing. I only wish they could have pronounced the last name Tremblay properly.
Music ruin what could have been a good movie
dsweeting-838-64293624 October 2020
Okay in a less romantic way
JaynaB16 December 2021
For boring budgetary reasons the city is going to close down the skating oval in the downtown core after the holidays.
Coincidentally the mayor's widowed son-in-law, a retired pro hockey player played by soap opera hunk and former Mr. Eye-Candy, Ryan Cooper, has just developed a huge new sports complex at the edge of town. It's good for the suburbs but not so much for kids who live in the city core & take their lessons as well as leisure at the oval.
You can see where this is going, right?
Enter the spunky skating instructor and skate shack worker, Courtney, (Abigail Klein) who quickly makes friends with Mr. Hockey's daughter and convinces her to take up skating classes at the oval. With help from the mayor's secretary, Courtney also starts a PR campaign to win over the mayor & save the oval even though she's falling for Mr. Hockey aka 'the competition'.
The acting's not great, the script is only okay, and the settings - unless you live close enough to recognize downtown Worchester - are Anytown, Northeast USA. It's definitely lacking the visual appeal & polish of our other recent skating movie (Niall Matter. Mmm...). But the movie has some cute scenes of skating kids. Relationships feel believable. And you're left wondering if parts of it were in fact based on a real story.
Coincidentally the mayor's widowed son-in-law, a retired pro hockey player played by soap opera hunk and former Mr. Eye-Candy, Ryan Cooper, has just developed a huge new sports complex at the edge of town. It's good for the suburbs but not so much for kids who live in the city core & take their lessons as well as leisure at the oval.
You can see where this is going, right?
Enter the spunky skating instructor and skate shack worker, Courtney, (Abigail Klein) who quickly makes friends with Mr. Hockey's daughter and convinces her to take up skating classes at the oval. With help from the mayor's secretary, Courtney also starts a PR campaign to win over the mayor & save the oval even though she's falling for Mr. Hockey aka 'the competition'.
The acting's not great, the script is only okay, and the settings - unless you live close enough to recognize downtown Worchester - are Anytown, Northeast USA. It's definitely lacking the visual appeal & polish of our other recent skating movie (Niall Matter. Mmm...). But the movie has some cute scenes of skating kids. Relationships feel believable. And you're left wondering if parts of it were in fact based on a real story.
a cute enough Christmas movie
ta-6064428 July 2022
Good chemistry! Joyful leading Lady!
tracimyers197231 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It started out a little cheesy and with an unstable camera man, lol! It got better when the leads started to communicate. I absolutely loved the joy of the leading lady and her infectious smile! The lead man had charisma too. I loved it when Ompa laughed in one scene, felt truly spontaneous. The lead child was wonderful!! I also love watching ice skating! I will watch this one again for sure!
Superb movie
bart-8601724 November 2021
Abigail Klein is incredible in this! My kids loved it, family friendly and a good story for all. Did I mention Abigail Klein? Amazing on screen.
I'd put this up there with the best TV movies about Christmas and it is very funny as well.
I'd put this up there with the best TV movies about Christmas and it is very funny as well.
Great Christmas Romance
ab-840381 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Lifetime has a good one here in Christmas On Ice. The movie was pretty original and we really enjoyed this one about an outdoor ice Skating rink and what it means to the whole town. The two main leads were so good together, the supporting cast was very good. The story had a small mystery that was bittersweet when it unfolded and that made the movie extra good for us. Also, the story was fun for all ages and very family friendly. The little girl was adorable and she added a sweetness to the movie.
All in all it had a very happy and tearful ending about saving the town landmark for the future generations of kids and families.
All in all it had a very happy and tearful ending about saving the town landmark for the future generations of kids and families.
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