Merry Textmas (2022 TV Movie) User Reviews

A lot of fun.

[mattgreen-29963 · 7/10 · 6 December 2022]

I sort of fell on it by accident and took a chance, and I was glad I did. Overall, I think Merry Textmas was the right mixture of entertainment, cheesiness, and Christmas family spirit. I really enjoyed Ariana's performances and her chemistry with Rodrigo was believable and fun. I enjoyed the Spanish-- it added a ton of realism to the entire project.

The supporting characters all did a great job and supported the leads very well. I would love to see Hallmark include much more cultural diversity in their future movies. Discovering this Latino culture added power and love to the experience.

It's definitely a Christmas flick I'd recommend.

Just wasn't the best

[itsjustme-02193 · 5/10 · 7 January 2023]

I didn't like it. I really struggled with the subtitles cause they were in white. So a lot of the plot that I needed to follow was missed. However, I do like that they were speaking in Spanish just wish I could read it all. I also didn't want to turn my tv cc on, it would've just been too much.

It also felt like I was watching a low budget Lifetime film. I just think production and acting could have been better. Not sure if I bought the leads chemistry. Storyline was way more far fetched than others.

I watched to cross off my Christmas list. I've watched some over. This would be a Not Recommend.

Fun concept, but background music drives you MAD

[cocoabear-80295 · 7/10 · 25 December 2022]

I've never experienced a film with almost constant background music and incessant use of chimes and tinkling sounds. I almost had to turn my TV off not unlike another reviewer, but for this reason alone. These chimes almost drove me to madness. They play while they're talking, completely throughout the scene and during transitions. When you think they'll end they don't. If I never hear a chime or twinkle again it'll be too soon.

BUT, it's a cute movie and a nice watch. Perfect light movie for Christmas time, but not completely silly or corny. Compelling characters and you feel invested in watching the relationship build!

Beware of hard to read subtitles!

[shannone1 · 6/10 · 30 December 2022]

I enjoyed the acting and the storyline was cute. But I found the subtitles very hard to read. They were in white and blended into the background much of the time. I had to pause or rewind at times to try to follow along to the important plot points. I would watch this one again next season if they changed to an easier to read format.

I did enjoy the storyline. The way the family met Alex was cute and felt like something that could really happen. I also enjoyed the family dynamic. Especially the relationship between the main character and her grandmother. It's worth a view just be prepared, this is not a movie that allows you to multi-task!

Just was unwatchable for me

[scarletepilogue · 2/10 · 29 January 2023]

I tried..I really tried to finish this movie but I just couldn't get into it. It's not often that I find one of these Christmas movies that I just can't finish, I like watching them and I'm usually able to at least finish the ones that aren't that good. However, this one..I just couldn't do it. The main female character gabby, was just not likable. It is a slightly different plot from other lifetime Christmas movies; it has the same overall falling in love theme, just a different execution. As other people said, if you don't know Spanish, the subtitles can be difficult to read as they are small and written differently that other subtitles or captions. Overall, this just not a good movie, imo.

Do they hide the translations on purpose?

[Jackbv123 · 8/10 · 5 December 2022]

I almost couldn't finish this movie and not for any of the usual reasons. It was because I don't speak Spanish and at least a third of the frequent subtitle translations were completely washed out in the background, not to mention being tiny to being with There is one scene in the kitchen where the largely white background is almost exclusively behind the white subtitles. Some of the translations involved major plot points. This is unacceptable for a movie on a network as mainstream as Lifetime.

I loved what I saw. Ariana Ron Pedrique is absolutely enchanting. Gaby is playful and appealing. Her chemistry with Rodrigo Massa is sizzling. There is a dance scene that was smoldering despite being slow. The script is funny and interesting (what I could understand).

I'm also trying to understand some of the subtext between the lines in English. Many of Gaby's family have some narrow ideas about what a Mexican should be. Can it possibly be that the subtitles are so much hidden because only Spanish speakers should enjoy this movie?

I also found it interesting the interplay about "coders" vs "U. X". I frequently wonder about apps, especially games that are so heavily controlled by the pure "coders" with seemingly little regard for the users.

I wanted to deduct more than 2 stars for the translations, but couldn't bring myself too.