Catch a Christmas Star (2013 TV Movie) User Reviews

Dad Chris Marshall did not stand a fighting chance against the will of his two kids and Kismet

[Ed-Shullivan · 6/10 · 31 December 2021]

This is a cute romantic Christmas themed film that Mrs. Shullivan and I have now watched it twice as it was such a FEEL GOOD film the first time we decided to watch it this Christmas season again. Widower Chris Marshall has been busy and pre-occupied raising his two children Sophie and carrot top Jackson on his own for the past five (5) years with little regard given to his own personal life taking a backstage to any romantic involvement.

After five (5) years since Chris's wife passed away his two children find out from their Uncle Jason (Billy MacLellan) that their dad and the number one (1) singing star in the country Nikki Crandon (Shannon Elizabeth) were teenage first crush's so they decide to play Cupid and get them back together again.

Fame can be both a blessing and a curse and Nikki and Chris rekindle their once very strong relationship only to have Nikki's fame get in the way once more. But this being the Christmas season and family and love being important to all you can guess how this film ends can't you? Hey, we watched it twice so it is well worth watching at least once. I give it a favorable IMDb rating of a 6 out of 10.

Not bad for Hallmark

[Onetrack97 · 7/10 · 14 January 2019]

OK, so my Hallmark ratings have their own scale. Below 5 means I didn't finish it.

I think 8 is the highest I've given one.

Yes, the 12 year old daughter is unrealistically wise for her age. I guess the writers don't have kids.

It looks like Shannon was actually doing her own singing. I thought her acting was actually pretty good. And, she is more beautiful than ever.

Yes, it has an ending, pretty much like all of the other Hallmark movies.

Wholesome and Innocent, Made-for-TV Movie

[daviston1017 · 7/10 · 28 November 2013]

These days so many movies are filled with sex, foul language, and revenge filled plots. It is refreshing to see a movie directed toward family values.

Main characters, Shannon Elizabeth's and Steve Byers' on set chemistry was good and realistic. They give viewers a small glimpse into the downside of being famous.

Byers' on screen children played by Julia Lalonde and Kyle Harrison Breitkopf were good little actors in their portrayal of today's youth. Many children are wise beyond their years and flip lip.

All and all, I enjoyed it! The only negative parts were, of course, the record producer's acting, which was "really bad" and the ending. It included Byers' going out on stage professing his love, little unrealistic. At a real concert, he would have never made it passed security. The writers should have improved on that scene.

Also, I loved the assistant. His facial expressions and comedic antics were to die for!

real or not

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 26 July 2022]

Nikki Crandon (Shannon Elizabeth) is a pop superstar. Chris Marshall (Steve Byers) is a widower with two kids. The kids find out that their father used to date Nikki in high school. They set off on a quest to bring them together.

The kids are cute enough. It's a Hallmark movie. Shannon Elizabeth may be a better singer than I expected although her singing may be dubbed. I don't know if it's her voice or not. It's not fair but a real singer would not face the same issue. The role needs a real former pop star. It needs Debbie Gibson but younger. As for the story, it's a little clunky. I expected more with the kids since they're so cute. I don't like the overblown fight at the restaurant. A better way to do the needed conflict would be a paparazzi pushing over one of the kids. That's a better reason for him to end the relationship. Quite frankly, I expected her to say "I'm just a girl..." in her big speech. This is fine.

Worth catching

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 12 November 2022]

Whether it is easy to not take 'Catch a Christmas Star' and similar films seriously is dependent on whether the good things outweigh the bad and vice versa. Dependent on how many flaws there are and how big they are. And dependent on how well the film executed its good things. In some cases it is easy to not take it too seriously. In other cases it is very distracting when there are so many annoyances and done to an incompetent level.

'Catch a Christmas Star' is not one of those films. It does have things wrong with it, then again when has a Hallmark festive film been perfect, and the flaws are a few of the usual ones. 'Catch a Christmas Star' does achieve its aims though at being undemanding light-hearted entertainment that has charm and heart and has a lot of good things, ones that are essential to get right if a film is to be halfway watchable. My festive Hallmark film viewings have been hit and miss, 'Catch a Christmas Star' is closer to being one of the hits while not being one of them.

Sure, it is very, very predictable and some real suspension of disbelief is needed with some turns in the plot being pretty unrealistic to a dumbfounding degree.

Didn't think that the character of Carmine was particularly necessary and he comes over as an annoying caricature, overplayed rather horribly by Christopher Jacot. There is some very cheesy dialogue here and there too and the romance is very underused and underdeveloped which does affect the chemistry at times.

However, Steve Byers is a very likeable and easy going leading man, also having the more likeable character who doesn't come over as too perfect, and personally didn't have much issue with Shannon Elizabeth, the egotistical character trait is overwritten at times but Elizabeth's commitment is never in question (she also sings beautifully). The daughter isn't too cute or bratty and Byers and Elizabeth do have some chemistry even if it doesn't quite ignite fully. The character writing is flawed but a long way from disastrous, with only Carmine's being an outright failure.

The direction is always competent and in control of the material while not phoning in. The production values are great, with it being nicely and slickly shot. The scenery is very easy on the eyes. The script on the whole doesn't come over as corny or schmaltzy, and flows naturally. Although the story is far from perfect with the predictability and ridiculousness being overkill, it is light-hearted enough, succeeds in not taking itself too seriously and is charming.

Concluding, above average if not great. 6/10.

Enjoyable but is it rewatchable?

[jrbusiness-64499 · 6/10 · 31 October 2020]

I picked this movie to watch because I recognised the main actress and wanted to also cross off another Christmas movie from my challenge.

I enjoyed the movie. It had a nice story to it and as a dad myself, I kinda related to how he wanted the best for his kids. It was sweet.

Although I enjoyed it, im not sure if its one of them movies where I would watch again. Maybe.

This now takes my Christmas movies to 28 out of 100.

Needed Another Draft

[athompsonblue · 4/10 · 23 October 2021]

The songs were the best part of the movie. I'm not sure if Shannon did her own singing or if it's a dub, but the voice is beautiful.

Parents should know that Nikki has an openly gay assistant. He has some comedic moments, and he's shown to be a supportive friend. Personally, I would have instead given her a female assistant who could hook up with the male lead's brother.

As for the script, I'm disappointed that the record producer didn't have a follow-up scene of getting comeuppance. Nikki should have dumped him and find a new label. I'm also disappointed that she didn't just stand up to him in her apartment.

The dad's character needed an overhaul. He should have had a more developed personality. And he needed to make more effort into putting on a happy face for his kids. And the movie should have shown him being happy in his relationship with Nikki.

The male lead is afraid of Nikki being unreliable, yet he's the one who keeps running away. Should she have really taken him back at the end?

Always look for this one...

[ChristinaChristinaChristina · 8/10 · 30 April 2016]

Yes everything about this movie is predictable, but so is every Hallmark movie. I miss Hallmark's regular scheduled late at night program during the holidays and I don't care for most of the Christmas movies, but this one is one of my favorites.

There's just something about it. From the second the movie starts, Chris and his kids are people you want to be happy. You can tell he's a great dad who doesn't have much happiness in his life since his wife died. Even Shannon Elizabeth's character Nikki is someone you want good things for. There's just something about reconnecting with your high school sweetheart. This doesn't have many good reviews on IMDb but I think it's great.

Not great but not terrible either

[MattyGibbs · 6/10 · 8 December 2015]

Catch a Christmas Star is an average Christmas TV Movie about a music star who meets her high school sweetheart years later.

It's a typically cheesy and predictable tale. Shannon Elizabeth isn't convincing as the music star Nikki and the lead male Steve Byers whilst suitably good looking is too wooden. To make matters worse there is little chemistry between them both which makes the story even less unlikely than it already is.

To be fair there are a few funny moments and these are all provided by the singers assistant Carmine played by Christopher Jacot. He is easily the star of this film. One plus was that unlike many of these type of movies, the kids in the film ( played by Julia Lalonde and Kyle Harrison Brietkopf are actually quite good and aren't either sickly sweet or just plain annoying.

There is nothing special about this film but it will have it's market and is moderately entertaining.

Had a hard time watching this

[Jackbv123 · 4/10 · 1 November 2017]

From the beginning of this movie, I was on the edge of my seat, and not in a good way. The plot was even more ridiculous and unbelievable than 99% of romantic Christmas movies. Don't get me started on how many impossible things happened.

One problem was that there wasn't much romance. The movie was far more about the struggles created by Nikki's fame. And it was barely about Christmas except for some of the songs and the dates it was set in.

When I watch a Christmas movie, I want heartwarming moments. I welcome tradition and nostalgia. This movie had none of that. I wouldn't even call the ending that heartwarming.

I thought the acting was bad. The kids weren't even cute enough to save the movie. Shannon Elizabeth had so many shots of a fake smile plastered on her face. If there was chemistry between her and Steve Byers, it was squeezed in with an eyedropper because the two of them had very little screen time together that was positive rather than negative. Christopher Jacot managed to add some humor despite the fact that he overplayed his character to the point of cliché.

There was quite a bit of singing in this movie, far more than typical in this kind of movie. It ate away screen time that could have been spent on building chemistry between the leads. I'm guessing that Shannon Elizabeth did her own singing, in which case that's one plus for her, but I'm really not sure it was her. I found one site that says it was her.

Beautiful Romantic Christmas Movie

[bookandcandle · 10/10 · 10 November 2018]

Great job on this movie, Hallmark. I love Shannon Elizabeth's songs and voice. She has the voice of an angel. I love all the actors chosen. A beautiful, romantic Christmas movie. I look forward to this movie every year.

Not good

[jk-692-236394 · 4/10 · 17 December 2014]

I had no idea who Shannon Elizabeth was. As I watched this movie, she was so full of herself and her acting was so "self aware" ( like a smiling in the mirror all the time effect) that I looked her up. I have never seen her in anything else.The main Dad's daughter was a little brat to me where they thought they wrote her part as a cute kid helping her Dad find love, the actress overplayed it and was obnoxious. I did not find her cute and sweet trying to set up her Dad with "Nicki" the rock star old high school girlfriend. Ugh. Nicki makes speeches about fame, the paparazzi and her life as a famous person and it is so cringe-worthy. All the scenes where she is a big famous person felt so fake and cheesy. The Dad and her do not any chemistry either. The other bit actors felt like they got hired from local theater or were extras. The actor who played the Dad was not bad. I have never seen him again either. I watch lots of Hallmark not so great Holiday movies, but this one was below even that standard.

Weak and unrealistic, even for the made-for-TV romantic Christmas movie genre

[gordonm888 · 5/10 · 22 November 2013]

Romantic made-for-TV Christmas movies are a specialty niche that has plenty of fans. I am a man, and both my wife and I enjoy a well-made sentimental Christmas movie; we both often start blubbering when the lead romantic couple finally overcome their obstacles and get together. As of 2013, when A Christmas Star is being "released" on TV, we feel there has been a recent upswing in the quality of Hallmark Christmas movies - better acting, better dialog and better cinematography.

Unfortunately, this recent upswing in production values somehow by-passed A Christmas Star. The biggest flaw in this film is its unrealistic plot twists and dialog. It's plot is built on music studio executives behaving like Mafia heavies because their recording star has done something very innocent and ordinary. And, there is a 10-year old daughter who is supernaturally wise and talks eloquently to her Dad as if he is a child and she is the adult. Even the climactic scene, which involves a Christmas Eve concert, progresses along an increasingly illogical and impossible course. In addition,the characters played by Shannon Elizabeth and Steve Byers, seem to have very little romantic chemistry. The combination of dialog and acting performances is such that many of the key actions taken by the main characters seem illogical and unrealistic.

If you are an incurable romantic and huge fan of the made-for-TV romantic Christmas movie genre,then you might well enjoy A Christmas Star despite its many problems. But I found that my eyes were rolling frequently and that they never teared up. So, I suggest you might pass on A Christmas Star. There are plenty of better romantic Christmas films this holiday season.

A TV Movie that reaches into Heart and Soul at Christmas

[msinnaeve · 9/10 · 22 December 2013]

The movie was a warm and heart felt movie. The fact that children of a single parent care enough about their parents happiness in a true statement in day to day living. We may all want to think differently about that but children sense and know when a parent is missing something and they are also missing things during those times.

As for the acting when watching Shannon Elizabeth and Steve Byers they both transmitted their feelings and passion across the screen to where my family could actually feel the pain and joy that they shared.

Julia Lalonde may have shown characteristics of an older child but again children can amaze you with their inner thinking.

As for Zach Werner I remember him from Canadian Idol and his personality then and now came across the same. Not sure if he has a soft side to his personality but in the part he played he did come across hard as some people in the music industry may be.

Overall this movie is one that I would watch over and over and the music in this movie was fantastic.

Xmas movie without an ending!

[stevepat99 · 3/10 · 16 October 2017]

I enjoy Hallmark Xmas movies. Where an average gal can become a Queen yada yada. Always a stretch but such things happen. As for casting, Nikki and Chris have little on screen chemistry. Daughter Sophie shines and the all time star is Nikki's assistant Jason.

Sadly this is a story without an ending. Would be different if it was titled Taylor Swift Becomes A Housewife. Chris and Nikki admit they live in two different worlds that totally clash, super star and ex high school jock who still loves visiting the old burger joint.

Knowing the two must, in the end, be together the screenwriters decided to punt on the nearly impossible to wit: an ending that sees both worlds co-existing with one another. Instead, boy kisses super star and fade out with not a glimmer of any hope they can make it work without destroying his life or having her give up a lifetime of achievement and dreams.

Could there be a 'happy ending'? Yes, with a decent screenplay. I could do without great thought. My ending: Fade-in to NYC TV morning show. Nikki is introduced as new co-host. Nikki greets audience and sends loving message to Chris and kids who live just across the bridge. Nikki sings the first of her daily songs to millions of fans. fade out.

Enjoyable

[hypzrkunt · 9/10 · 5 July 2021]

While typical hallmark fare. It was good. Shannon Elizabeth did a great job. I hadn't seen her in much recently but really enjoyed the movie. I thought the leads had chemistry and most of the satellite actors fit well.

I actually liked it all. The novelty of the Christmas mixes.

Lookthusisa Christmas movie and Hallmark to boot but I smile when I watch it. I think it's a watchable family movie.

Very obviously a very low-budget movie.

[adoptshelterpetstoday · 1/10 · 11 December 2014]

A great title wasted on a lousy movie! This was like: "Don't judge a book by its cover." (even the DVD cover gives an impression too that one can anticipate it being a wonderful movie pertaining to Christmas.).....It seemed like the story writers had "writers' block," and this was the best they could come up with for the entire plot.......Seems like the casters had some issues too about not being able to caste talented players.....which might have saved it (hardly)........I know what this movie was about, yet I really, really fail to see the point of why it was made. It had nothing captivating...nothing special...nothing worth remembering...the singing was depressing......It was just plain boring.......I also fail to see the relationship to merit being classified as a "Christmas movie."..........Just because a certain situation occurs and is staged around Christmas time, doesn't necessarily make it a Christmas movie. I suppose it was because of having a Christmas tree on the set and the "Christmas" songs, but that didn't save it.

Absolutely adorable

[apeymoore2003 · 9/10 · 16 July 2018]

Just a feel good movie and I love the storyline. I wish Hallmark played it more!!

REALISTICALLY REAL!

[nkaffe-55037 · 9/10 · 21 November 2021]

Absolutely one of the few 'fantasy celebrity' movies that had a most realistic ambiance ! I am a 60 year old (masculine) widower; so besides tears, (joyful & sad), I was smiling with a very warm heart! The actors, ALL of them, were awesome! And the music! Wow! Thanks Hallmark!

Keith.

Hallmark strikes gold again.

[druatlax · 10/10 · 16 November 2021]

I saw the movie listed, decided to just give it a glance. Got pulled into a believable, heart warming story of Love, Fate and Family.

I watch it now when it comes up on "Other movies Like This"- a Hallmark Movie with Heart.

A Second Chance at anything is rare...A lesson to learn, A Star to wish upon.

A Good Movie to Catch for Christmas

[gehewe · 8/10 · 1 December 2018]

I liked the movie. Steve Byers as the lead guy was great. He also played in Christmas Cure (2017) which I rated low as a 6. Also liked the girl who played his daughter. We had a few good songs like I hear the bells on Christmas day. Story had some depth to it. Remember the quote by the lead Shannon Elizabeth "Being famous hasn't changed who I am but it has changed how everyone treats me". Thought her performance was adequate if that was her singing- I liked that. I did not like the part of her male assistant Carmine in this movie. A strange character who was attracted to the Steve Byers character along with our female lead. Why put this character in the movie unless this is a part of stardom. It did not distract too much and wasn't so obvious as to discourage watching with our children.

So glad to 'catch' this!

[cjleigh-00339 · 8/10 · 31 October 2021]

I assumed this was a new movie until I looked it up. I must have missed it previously. It's thoroughly enjoyable - unrealistic, it's true, but most movies are unrealistic. That's why we watch them - escapism - and if I'm going to see unrealistic fiction I like it to be happy and have some good music and a couple of cute kids who, of course, are wiser than the adults. This movie has all of that. Maybe the villains - the record company man and the actor - could have been nastier but we end up hating them anyway. I could have done without the 'camp' assistant in his pink jacket but I guess there has to be one. I struggled to decide whether Shannon Elizabeth did her own singing or not. If she did, Hallmark really missed an opportunity by not producing a Mistletoe over Manhattan soundtrack album. A Christmas Cracker!

Good Movie with Some Subtle Cross References

[gmw803 · 8/10 · 2 December 2013]

It seemed a little out of character. Shannon Elizabeth, having played in several sultry roles and in a few other movies where clothes came off,was cited as the lead star in a Hallmark movie, a network that thrives on cutesy and family oriented entertainment. The movie is rated G. Why would the casting director be interested in Shannon Elizabeth? While this question is never really answered, her having been cast in the lead provided at least two opportunities for cross-referencing Elizabeth's other appearances, particularly in her brief appearance in Love Actually. Shortly past the middle of the movie, Elizabeth's assistant, Carmine, tries to advise her about how to express her feelings to the male lead character Chris Marshall. He asks her if she had ever seen the movie "Love Actually," likely a deliberate reference to a movie she has not only seen, but had played in. But what has to be deliberate is that the character name of the love of her life, Chris Marshall, is phonetically identical to the name of the actor who played Elizabeth's boyfriend in Love Actually, Kris Marshall.

Guilty pleasure

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 25 December 2023]

8.4 stars.

I love Shannon Elizabeth, I always have. I mean what guy doesn't love that face? Is her smile fake? Who cares, she makes it look genuine and sweet. And we feel so sorry for her and we are angry at the guy for breaking her heart. Yes, I understand the reality of the situation, she being a celebrity, he being a widower with two young children, is difficult to translate onto the screen. So this man is probably being somewhat rational when he runs from his soulmate yet again. In real life that would be very possible. But I still feel that hopeless romantic inside of me that I dare only reminisce about from time to time.

Back when you were a teenager and even into your early twenties (maybe you are there now), remember when you'd fall in love with a Disney or romantic movie and you'd have to watch it over and over again just to purge it from your blood? Those feelings don't visit so much now that I'm beyond my twenties, but sometimes I wish they would. This story evokes just a glimmer.

And the lead male, I don't know his name, but he has a wonderful performance. The two of them have good chemistry, and even though the story doesn't necessarily lend itself to an organic romance per se, it still works in its own uneven way. And the children, are you kidding me? These are two of the most adorable child actors I've seen in a very long time. And to see one reviewer didn't like the kids? A few reviewers didn't like this movie, that's fine, but the kids? They were perfect for this. I guess we humans have vastly different tastes, and we don't have to like the same things, but I just can't process how someone could detest 'Catch a Christmas Star'. Maybe the music is a bit weird. Miss Elizabeth has some quirky singing with the odd lyrics and stuff, but her voice isn't bad. I still can't fathom someone not liking this film. I just loved all the actors and the dialogue, and how the little girl acts and talks like a grownup and the stuff she says is so poetic and on point. Sure, it might be a bit far fetched, but just barely. I've met kids with just about that much savvy at a very young age like she is. It's not unheard of.

This is a sappy and cheesy experience, but it's as entertaining as any of the greats.