I was utterly shocked. ha-ha! The leads are actually good actors (very good...) I've got a sneaking suspicion they were stage actors first and knew how to "read" the subtext of the script. The teleplay is realistic and not a living cartoon. There's a warmth about the story. I was quite impressed that The Princess was so understated and engaging. The Builder opted out of the slapstick motif. Great romantic chemistry between the leads. Very enjoyable!
33 Reviews
'Roman Holiday' at Christmas
HotToastyRag11 December 2019
Every once in a while, the usual Cinderella genre gets a new twist, so if you're tired of an average, common young woman falling for a royal prince, check out Once Upon a Holiday. In this one, an average, common young man falls for a princess!
Briana Evigan is a royal princess visiting New York, and she's pretty tired of the rules and schedules, so she runs away from her assistants and guardians to see what life is like as a regular person. This isn't exactly Roman Holiday, but it's the same basic concept. Paul Campbell is the non-royal person she meets, but unlike Gregory Peck, he's not a journalist vying for a story about her. He really doesn't know who she is, and he thinks they're just two people experiencing holiday magic.
Not to sound like a snob, but if Hallmark had cast another of their actresses, I would have like this movie much better. Briana was very pretty, but she didn't for one minute seem like a royal princess. Her speech and mannerisms were very contemporary and common. Paul was a total cutie, so if you can get past a princess who doesn't seem like a princess, you'll definitely be rooting for her to snag the guy. He's not only sweet and cute, but he does lots of good deeds that show her a good example. Next up, check him out in either A Godwink Christmas or Window Wonderland!
Briana Evigan is a royal princess visiting New York, and she's pretty tired of the rules and schedules, so she runs away from her assistants and guardians to see what life is like as a regular person. This isn't exactly Roman Holiday, but it's the same basic concept. Paul Campbell is the non-royal person she meets, but unlike Gregory Peck, he's not a journalist vying for a story about her. He really doesn't know who she is, and he thinks they're just two people experiencing holiday magic.
Not to sound like a snob, but if Hallmark had cast another of their actresses, I would have like this movie much better. Briana was very pretty, but she didn't for one minute seem like a royal princess. Her speech and mannerisms were very contemporary and common. Paul was a total cutie, so if you can get past a princess who doesn't seem like a princess, you'll definitely be rooting for her to snag the guy. He's not only sweet and cute, but he does lots of good deeds that show her a good example. Next up, check him out in either A Godwink Christmas or Window Wonderland!
Happy Wholesome Holiday !
PossibleOptimism12 February 2018
It sounds like something Hallmark's done before: a young royal away from home during Christmas meets normal person and falls in love---but this one actually felt...right.
Paul Campbell's light humor brings us a mildly-magical holiday movie we really can't resist. Simple jokes reflect back upon a golden heart, revealing all he wants is make sure she's where she needs to be. After all, she's the only happy Holiday he knows ;)
It's an easy story, no breakups, no unnecessary drama, no tears, as it all wraps up neatly in a perfectly cozy Christmas way. And with Briana Evigan gracefully doing her part as a princess with a passion for photography.
It'd be shame, though, if she never got her camera back. With all those blurred photos of random NY buildings..
Wonderful Subtleties Worth the Watch!
xetaprime-642579 January 2016
What a nice surprise! I sat down with my Cat and some Cabernet and let roll. Sure, there have been countless Christmas movies in 2015 and I didn't expect to like this as much but I did. Early on it pulled me in and there is no shortage of (spoiler) a Princess and Commoner hooking up. Yet this took a mature and believable route. Nothing overhanded. Nothing unbelievable (as TV goes). The big reveal was actually subtle and loving! In short I really did enjoy this film! In the middle I actually said to myself out loud- "This is a good movie"! Which doesn't happen very often and I take note when it does. That and I wrote a whole better review before Firefox dumped it before I could post it! D'Ohhh!
Enjoyablish
amanda_raffi8 December 2019
The acting is quite good, as far as hallmark Christmas movie qualities. It was just ok, not terrible or excellent just fine. I found myself enjoying it at parts and rolling my eyes at parts. I watch Christmas movies all through December and I dont regret watching it.
Stop those Santas
Jackbv12325 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is a different take for Hallmark on a commoner meets royalty for Christmas, although the story has been done before.
I can't say the acting was great but it was OK. Unlike a few Christmas stories this one spends most of its focus on Jack and Katie. It's not a complicated story and no great surprises.
It was fun to see the private security guys get the run around, especially when they had to chase all the Santas. And it was fun to see the reporter make a fool of himself.
For two hours, it was a nice story about a sheltered princess getting to relive the happy days of childhood, and about two people falling in love..
I can't say the acting was great but it was OK. Unlike a few Christmas stories this one spends most of its focus on Jack and Katie. It's not a complicated story and no great surprises.
It was fun to see the private security guys get the run around, especially when they had to chase all the Santas. And it was fun to see the reporter make a fool of himself.
For two hours, it was a nice story about a sheltered princess getting to relive the happy days of childhood, and about two people falling in love..
Not too bad
lisafordeay19 November 2019
Once Upon A Holiday is a 2015 Hallmark film starring Briana Evigan as well as her own dad Greg Evigan,and tells the story of a princess named Katrina who travels to the US to become a photographer as she likes to lead a normal life. Problems arise when she meets Jack and the two start to like each other. But when a sleazy news anchor wants to dig some dirt on her will her secret be blown?
Overall I watched this because I never seen it before and I was in the mood to watch a christmas movie. Story is decent and it was very predictable.
problem princess
SnoopyStyle14 July 2019
Katie (Briana Evigan) is a reluctant princess. She's tired of being over-scheduled and wants to see the sights in New York. She sneaks away from her aunt and gets robbed on the streets. Nice guy Jack Langdon (Paul Campbell) tries to help but the thieves get away with her purse and her old camera. He tries to help her navigate the big city and she keeps her identity a secret.
It's always a little wrong to have Canada for New York although modern cities are more uniform than before. I don't particularly like this princess. She's a little too old to be so clueless and so tired of responsibilities. That sort of story is better done with teenage princesses. Quite frankly, it would make more sense if she has amnesia. Evigan has the constant smile necessary for the role but the role isn't good. It may not fit the Hallmark brand other than the simplistic romance. Also nobody steals old cameras. I do like the Santa Claus community but the movie doesn't follow that up with the couple doing Elf duties. At least, that could have been fun.
It's always a little wrong to have Canada for New York although modern cities are more uniform than before. I don't particularly like this princess. She's a little too old to be so clueless and so tired of responsibilities. That sort of story is better done with teenage princesses. Quite frankly, it would make more sense if she has amnesia. Evigan has the constant smile necessary for the role but the role isn't good. It may not fit the Hallmark brand other than the simplistic romance. Also nobody steals old cameras. I do like the Santa Claus community but the movie doesn't follow that up with the couple doing Elf duties. At least, that could have been fun.
Solid Hallmark Christmas Entry
RNMorton3 December 2016
I dabble in the Hallmark Christmas movies, but they do have to meet certain strict criteria: appealing and not too affected female lead, male lead who's not a total doofus, not too complicated a story line, or too overly contrived or unpleasant. This hit the spot very nicely, Evigan is a particularly attractive lead and Campbell does quite well as the humble, honest worker who happens upon Evigan on the run from her position of European princess. Okay, so this owes a lot to Roman Holiday and other runaway royalty movies, but you might notice originality isn't on my criteria list. Both Evigan and Campbell seem very into their roles and very natural, this sort of fits the Hallmark romantic comedy format to a "t". Even Briana's dad gets a role as royal retainer. Enjoy.
Heart-warming
allmoviesfan14 October 2023
Not sure why there is so much hate for this charming and pleasant Hallmark movie.
As long as you understand what you're going to see going into one of these made-for-TV movies, and overlook some of the obvious discrepancies, Once Upon a Holiday is a nice Christmas movie, featuring Briana Evigan as Katie a princess who finds herself on royal duty in New York City in the lead-up to December twenty-five, and Paul Campbell (who is always excellent) as Jack, your NYC Average Joe, who - rather precipitously - runs into Katie on a couple of occasions and shows her around the city, at first now knowing who she really is...and you probably have a pretty good idea of how the movie will end.
Absolutely a movie with plot holes and inconsistences, but it is saved by the performances of Campbell and Evigan, who have a warm and easy chemistry. Once Upon a Holiday is an above average Hallmark royal film.
As long as you understand what you're going to see going into one of these made-for-TV movies, and overlook some of the obvious discrepancies, Once Upon a Holiday is a nice Christmas movie, featuring Briana Evigan as Katie a princess who finds herself on royal duty in New York City in the lead-up to December twenty-five, and Paul Campbell (who is always excellent) as Jack, your NYC Average Joe, who - rather precipitously - runs into Katie on a couple of occasions and shows her around the city, at first now knowing who she really is...and you probably have a pretty good idea of how the movie will end.
Absolutely a movie with plot holes and inconsistences, but it is saved by the performances of Campbell and Evigan, who have a warm and easy chemistry. Once Upon a Holiday is an above average Hallmark royal film.
A royal holiday
TheLittleSongbird24 December 2019
This rating and some of the review is probably going to sound like it has been written by somebody who hates Christmas and criticises anything Hallmark and festive. Far from the truth on all counts. Have seen some surprisingly good Hallmark films, festive and overall, and have liked some of the Christmas films seen recently from this year because they succeeded in charming the viewer and warming the heart regardless of the cliches and formulaic storytelling.
'Once Upon a Holiday' is not one of the best of my recent Christmas film viewings seen as such a fan of Christmas and needing some serious distracting from health woes. Neither is it one of the worst. Somewhere in the solid middle if anything. It is certainly watchable and much better than the basic plotline looks like on the page, with some things noticeably done quite well. 'Once Upon a Holiday' is also not a great film either, with some obvious flaws that are as noticeable as the good things. So not a must see but far from a must avoid as well.
Will start with 'Once Upon a Holiday's' good things. It is nicely photographed and has a quite magical atmosphere in its best parts. Always love nostalgic festive soundtracks, and 'Once Upon a Holiday' is no exception to that. There is nothing mean-spirited about it, it is generally very charming and it does warm the heart enough.
Did like the nice subtle humour present in the film, there is an easy-going chemistry and Paul Campbell is a very likeable male lead. Greg Evigan is the standout in a more than serviceable supporting cast.
For all those good things, 'Once Upon a Holiday' does have debits too. Briana Evigan really doesn't fit her role, the voice and attitude sounded and felt all wrong and like the role needed somebody more at ease and looked and sounded younger. The dialogue has its moments but really could have done with more energy and too much is very forced and cheesy. The location never looked authentic and at times had a cheap look.
Predictability is inevitable in festive Hallmark films, but the predictability here was excessive with at times contrived situations and stereotypical characters and the pace was like the dialogue, more energy was needed. The ending was cute but quite pat.
Summing up, watchable but not great. 5/10
'Once Upon a Holiday' is not one of the best of my recent Christmas film viewings seen as such a fan of Christmas and needing some serious distracting from health woes. Neither is it one of the worst. Somewhere in the solid middle if anything. It is certainly watchable and much better than the basic plotline looks like on the page, with some things noticeably done quite well. 'Once Upon a Holiday' is also not a great film either, with some obvious flaws that are as noticeable as the good things. So not a must see but far from a must avoid as well.
Will start with 'Once Upon a Holiday's' good things. It is nicely photographed and has a quite magical atmosphere in its best parts. Always love nostalgic festive soundtracks, and 'Once Upon a Holiday' is no exception to that. There is nothing mean-spirited about it, it is generally very charming and it does warm the heart enough.
Did like the nice subtle humour present in the film, there is an easy-going chemistry and Paul Campbell is a very likeable male lead. Greg Evigan is the standout in a more than serviceable supporting cast.
For all those good things, 'Once Upon a Holiday' does have debits too. Briana Evigan really doesn't fit her role, the voice and attitude sounded and felt all wrong and like the role needed somebody more at ease and looked and sounded younger. The dialogue has its moments but really could have done with more energy and too much is very forced and cheesy. The location never looked authentic and at times had a cheap look.
Predictability is inevitable in festive Hallmark films, but the predictability here was excessive with at times contrived situations and stereotypical characters and the pace was like the dialogue, more energy was needed. The ending was cute but quite pat.
Summing up, watchable but not great. 5/10
One of my favorites!
debbiemac732 February 2017
I loved this movie. Wish it was on DVD. Brianna Evigan is adorable as the Princess and her dad, Greg, was so cute in BJ and the Bear. It was fun watching the two of them working together. The plot was good and the goofy, ambitious reporter was a nice touch. When the Princess gets lost in the city after her purse is stolen, Jack rides to the rescue. He has a feeling she's in trouble so he watches out for her. They develop feelings for one another. Look forward to seeing it every year. Would like to see Brianna on more Hallmark movies. She has such a beautiful smile and enjoyed her acting style. She was great in filling her role.
A princess from Orange County?
MickyG33328 December 2022
6.2 stars.
First of all Briana Evigan was born in Los Angeles, and so you'd think they would at least have her fake an accent to portray a princess of some unknown European country (a very small country). She sounds like a native Californian as far as I can tell, so it's obvious she put forth zero effort to fake the accent. Was this because it's cheesier to botch an attempt than to abandon it altogether? I can see the logic in that line of thinking to be honest. But now it gives me something to think about and put in this review. And our lead male, he's not from NYC, sounds nothing like anyone from the east coast as I mentioned in another review of a movie with him as the lead male and they claim he's from Philly...
I looked up some trivia on the movie and the castle at the end is/was actually Dracula's lair as far as the legend goes...
So what's great about this movie, not much. She is not a princess, doesn't look, act, talk, or anything like one. For male lead roles, he was up to snuff, not anything special. I agree with other reviewers, give us a different leading lady in this, for me personally, maybe get an actress from Eastern Europe, I'm sure we have many of them just champing (chomping?) at the bit to do a Hallmark production.
His sister was actually pretty cool and I hope to see more of her. Her boyfriend, the news guy, what a moron. I thought they might give him some redeeming qualities, but nope they went the other way and make him a total loser. The princesses aunt is a tough nut, plays her part to the tee. The other guy, whatever his title (the princesses guardian fella) did a good job, I liked his performance. The security detail investigator guy was a real sewer rat sort of dirtbag type. He felt like a smarmy Columbo (if you could be more smarmy than the original Columbo).
I'll not return to this film again.
First of all Briana Evigan was born in Los Angeles, and so you'd think they would at least have her fake an accent to portray a princess of some unknown European country (a very small country). She sounds like a native Californian as far as I can tell, so it's obvious she put forth zero effort to fake the accent. Was this because it's cheesier to botch an attempt than to abandon it altogether? I can see the logic in that line of thinking to be honest. But now it gives me something to think about and put in this review. And our lead male, he's not from NYC, sounds nothing like anyone from the east coast as I mentioned in another review of a movie with him as the lead male and they claim he's from Philly...
I looked up some trivia on the movie and the castle at the end is/was actually Dracula's lair as far as the legend goes...
So what's great about this movie, not much. She is not a princess, doesn't look, act, talk, or anything like one. For male lead roles, he was up to snuff, not anything special. I agree with other reviewers, give us a different leading lady in this, for me personally, maybe get an actress from Eastern Europe, I'm sure we have many of them just champing (chomping?) at the bit to do a Hallmark production.
His sister was actually pretty cool and I hope to see more of her. Her boyfriend, the news guy, what a moron. I thought they might give him some redeeming qualities, but nope they went the other way and make him a total loser. The princesses aunt is a tough nut, plays her part to the tee. The other guy, whatever his title (the princesses guardian fella) did a good job, I liked his performance. The security detail investigator guy was a real sewer rat sort of dirtbag type. He felt like a smarmy Columbo (if you could be more smarmy than the original Columbo).
I'll not return to this film again.
clichéd
gretel_au30 October 2017
Light weight and dreadfully clichéd. No attempt to create a workable background for the "princess" with an American (Canadian?) accent. Woeful. Roman Holiday on a budget. They want me to go on for five lines with the revue for this movie but in truth, it just doesn't rate it. One more line to go.
nice
Kirpianuscus1 August 2018
The good thing - the memories about Roman Holiday. the bad point - the use of an old recipe not in inspired way. the escape - it is a Hallmark Christmas film. nice. and nothing more. full of cliches - in this case too many- , unrealistic - too unrealistic in this case - and absurd- in this case , obvious fact. but , sure, for modern fairy tales fans, a reasonable must see.
Tries but fails
phd_travel1 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Any Roman Holiday theme movie without someone close to Audrey Hepburn will suffer by comparison so it's lucky this one doesn't bother to try. This version is in New York in Christmas. It's always a charming enough formula though this one doesn't quite succeed.
Brianna Evigan is a strange choice for the Princess with her husky voice and slightly tomboyish manner. She doesn't act or talk princess like at all so that part of the humor is missing. Her real life father Greg hasa role.
Not quite worth watching.
Brianna Evigan is a strange choice for the Princess with her husky voice and slightly tomboyish manner. She doesn't act or talk princess like at all so that part of the humor is missing. Her real life father Greg hasa role.
Not quite worth watching.
Good relationship building
VetteRanger26 October 2022
I might have rated this at 7, but it's one of my wife's favorites, so that earns it an extra star. I don't tend to rate movies against other genres, but within their own. So my 10 in a Christmas romance doesn't mean I regard it in the same league as an excellent feature film, but against other films of its type. So in these Christmas romances, if I find something I like in a movie, it gets more than a 5, and progressively higher the more I find to recommend it.
The member who named their review with a nod to Roman Holiday amused me. This story isn't really close, but there is a tiny connection in theme, as a princess gets bored and frustrated with her regimented schedule and goes walkabout in Manhattan.
This story puts the lead characters together for most of the movie, and that helps sell how they become closer to each other. The secondary plot about the reporter chasing the story of the "Runaway Princess" adds some tension.
The leads are both likeable and the story holds my interest, so I can recommend the film.
The member who named their review with a nod to Roman Holiday amused me. This story isn't really close, but there is a tiny connection in theme, as a princess gets bored and frustrated with her regimented schedule and goes walkabout in Manhattan.
This story puts the lead characters together for most of the movie, and that helps sell how they become closer to each other. The secondary plot about the reporter chasing the story of the "Runaway Princess" adds some tension.
The leads are both likeable and the story holds my interest, so I can recommend the film.
Its an okay movie. Nothing terrific
rimagage12 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Okay she's a princess and at first when these theives steal her purse and a camera that was her prized possession given to her by her now late mother, The camera is stolen along with her purse and when this random guy sees what is clearly going to happen stands there and does nothing till it's too late. At the least he could have gotten closer and followed the guy and if nothing had happened no problem. But since it did he could have been close enough to stop it. Then instead of calling the cops nope I'll do it when I get back to the hotel. With no clue how to get there. He offers her money which she reluctantly accepts and can't afford the full ride there not thinking to ask he take her as close as her money allows.
She then proceeds to do nothing about her situation. She ditched her cell to avoid being found so no way to call. Instead of tsking the guys offer earlier and instead of the cops call her people. I'm sorry she's too whiny and if you had told me she had only been a princess a few years and had been raised in seclusion or something then yeah. But nope she acts like she has never been a princess before. She knows she has TONS of responsibilities. But eh suck it, Don't care, I want my own life!
Oh and her precious camera the thieves stole that was a memento of her mother that she cherished, Ah don't care about that anymore either. I met a BOY! Said boy gives her new camera and she's happy. So no tears or thanks but I really want my camera that belonged to my mother nope the BOY gave this to me its better. Never bothers to have her people in the end look for ot or care.
Several day pass and even hears a reporter that's the boyfriend of her new beau's sister hint that about a missing princess that was supposed to be at a concert but she doesn't care about that either.
She NEVER beyond the trying to get a cab in the beginning tries to get in touch with her people. If any thing she goes out of her way to avoid her people. Only calls her mother's lawyer a close friend of the family last minute to get him to help calm her guadian, her aunt while avoiding her detail searching for her, then reveals to her new friends AS the reporter closes in who she is.
The princess to me was a spoiled little brat and took the attitude of who cares that we're done this same traditional year after year. Yes she wanted a family christmas she hasn't had in years but still. She should have stood up to her aunt and her strict itinerary and demanded down time rather than be a spoiled brat running away from home.
She then proceeds to do nothing about her situation. She ditched her cell to avoid being found so no way to call. Instead of tsking the guys offer earlier and instead of the cops call her people. I'm sorry she's too whiny and if you had told me she had only been a princess a few years and had been raised in seclusion or something then yeah. But nope she acts like she has never been a princess before. She knows she has TONS of responsibilities. But eh suck it, Don't care, I want my own life!
Oh and her precious camera the thieves stole that was a memento of her mother that she cherished, Ah don't care about that anymore either. I met a BOY! Said boy gives her new camera and she's happy. So no tears or thanks but I really want my camera that belonged to my mother nope the BOY gave this to me its better. Never bothers to have her people in the end look for ot or care.
Several day pass and even hears a reporter that's the boyfriend of her new beau's sister hint that about a missing princess that was supposed to be at a concert but she doesn't care about that either.
She NEVER beyond the trying to get a cab in the beginning tries to get in touch with her people. If any thing she goes out of her way to avoid her people. Only calls her mother's lawyer a close friend of the family last minute to get him to help calm her guadian, her aunt while avoiding her detail searching for her, then reveals to her new friends AS the reporter closes in who she is.
The princess to me was a spoiled little brat and took the attitude of who cares that we're done this same traditional year after year. Yes she wanted a family christmas she hasn't had in years but still. She should have stood up to her aunt and her strict itinerary and demanded down time rather than be a spoiled brat running away from home.
A Holiday not to be missed
Mark-12920 March 2016
Really enjoyed this holiday season movie. It's different from the usual. This one involves grownups. There are no children, dire personal problems to overcome or last minute miracles. Not even a bad guy in sight. Just two people finding their way to each at Christmas. With a single exception, the charming supporting characters are pleasantly grounded. The two leads perform well together with much chemistry. The supporting cast performs on a high level. Production is of a high caliber for these films. The satisfying ending is earned, not just a given. I'm looking forward to a DVD release in the near future. Until then, if you get the chance, see it. You'll be glad you did.
Tries to do too much and ends up too little
JaynaB16 November 2016
It's a modern American mash-up of The Princess Diary, Roman Holiday and While You Were Sleeping, with remarkably little of the charm of any of those.
For a Christmas story set in part around a magic store run by a dedicated seasonal Santa Claus, it was sadly lacking in magic either festive or cinematic. The dialogue is no more flabby than usual in the holiday rom-com genre but the actors – with the mildly amusing exception of the older couple in their magic shop – have very little personality and absolutely no spark. The little homage to Brosnan's Thomas Crown Affair at the end had masses of comedy potential, all of which was left untapped. The romantic ending, of a man with a very busy life of his own dropping it all for a helpless woman he hardly knows, felt very flat despite the pretty alpine setting.
If you're looking for a heartwarming romance or a sparkling comedy this holiday season, look elsewhere.
For a Christmas story set in part around a magic store run by a dedicated seasonal Santa Claus, it was sadly lacking in magic either festive or cinematic. The dialogue is no more flabby than usual in the holiday rom-com genre but the actors – with the mildly amusing exception of the older couple in their magic shop – have very little personality and absolutely no spark. The little homage to Brosnan's Thomas Crown Affair at the end had masses of comedy potential, all of which was left untapped. The romantic ending, of a man with a very busy life of his own dropping it all for a helpless woman he hardly knows, felt very flat despite the pretty alpine setting.
If you're looking for a heartwarming romance or a sparkling comedy this holiday season, look elsewhere.
My least favorite Hallmark Movie
golferchick-7913317 December 2017
I love hallmark movie but wow was this one bad. The main girl is terrible. Every time she talks I feel like she is trying to sexually seduce the other character. I did not feel they had any connection... instead I'm sitting at home feeling awkward for them. Very uncomfortable and super unfortunate bc this is the first Hallmark I have yet to not like!
Forced to watch it
msudude222 December 2019
Jack makes this movie :)
debejere18 December 2018
So very boring
deskisamess29 July 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable
istine-286879 January 2020
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