I end up watching a ton of these Christmas romcoms around the Holidays. They are all pretty schlocky. This one is no different. The story-such as it is-is a predictable trope driven yarn that is a gentler version of A Star is Born ultimately. Yet, the leads are both appealing and the director keeps the proceedings moving. The film feels more high end than a lot of this subgenre. There's enough warm fuzzies and laughs present to recommend this.
34 Reviews
I liked it
amarnold-5245331 January 2021
Entertaining but lacking
freyk215 December 2020
Sing me to sleep Greyston.
adamjohns-4257518 December 2020
Well, Zane and Billy's parents obviously had some good genes. What a fine looking pair of boys they have and Zane, played by Greyston Holt is such a lovely character, but yet again, I don't see why he would fall for the girl. She's really not very nice and far too self absorbed.
The story isn't brilliant because of her character, but it's not a badly put together film. I've seen similar films where both characters have something going for them and it just works better however. She seemed to enjoy the hard knock life to go with her permanently sulking face.
The music Exec is another bee-hatch, the local guy who fancies the lead female is another loser and the Mother is poorly acted, but somehow with all these issues, I quite liked it. The honest part of me thinks that it's due to the bit where Greyston has just exited the shower, but I'm sure it's something more deep and meaningful than that?
Take a look and see what you think?
The story isn't brilliant because of her character, but it's not a badly put together film. I've seen similar films where both characters have something going for them and it just works better however. She seemed to enjoy the hard knock life to go with her permanently sulking face.
The music Exec is another bee-hatch, the local guy who fancies the lead female is another loser and the Mother is poorly acted, but somehow with all these issues, I quite liked it. The honest part of me thinks that it's due to the bit where Greyston has just exited the shower, but I'm sure it's something more deep and meaningful than that?
Take a look and see what you think?
"I could use a dose of the real world about now."
classicsoncall5 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a nice enough, if bland love story that makes for holiday family viewing, but somehow just didn't resonate for this viewer. The lead characters when all is said and done, didn't really seem to have the kind of chemistry necessary to pull off a whirlwind romance, while the supporting players did little to add to the story. I thought Greg Vaughan in the role of talent agent Billy was actually a better looking guy than Greyston Holt portraying country singer Zane Gunther. His boss at the agency (Michelle Morgan) was decidedly one dimensional, but the most annoying character was Brigitte Kingsley as the officer who pulled Zane over to give him a ticket. She acted like a high school girl in a cop uniform with her pretense of a dating relationship with the singer. At least Gunther could play a guitar, but if you're going to call it "A Very Country Christmas", it might have been a good idea to throw in a country tune among the more traditional Christmas songs.
Familiar story
Boonhawk56196311 December 2021
Finding roots
TheLittleSongbird7 September 2021
'A Very Country Christmas' was one of those films that was part of my Christmas film completest quest that has been happening on and off over-time after it appeared as a recommendation here earlier this year. Absolutely love Christmas, have said this quite a number of times in my reviews in the past but am trying actually to not make it as obvious now unless when challenged if a review for any Christmas film is negative. Did sort of like the idea and the title was cute.
Saw 'A Very Country Christmas' actually with relatively mixed expectations, excepting at least some degree of heart and charm while not expecting a particularly great story or dialogue. Watching it, 'A Very Country Christmas' had its moments. But it was a film that pretty much delivered on not having a great story or dialogue (neither were even good) and didn't have enough heart or charm. Not unwatchable but quite bland with a number of things working against it.
There are good things here. Gresyon Holt was an amiable male lead and has the one character to have any form of likeability or development (while being generally thin on both). The music and songs are very pleasant and nostalgic.
Furthermore, the scenery is suitably picturesque and beautifully photographed. Some parts are cute.
Unfortunately, the bad things outweigh all of them. Bea Santos is nowhere near as appealing, actually found her annoying and self-absorbed as a result of her overdoing her character's negative characteristics. And this is a character full of negative characteristics and quite blatant ones with not many redeeming merits to balance them out, to the extent that one wonders what he sees in her. The rest of the cast overplay and all the characters are one-dimensional (outside of moments of development with Holt's) in a way that's irritating (the villainous boss for example) or dull. Both in the case of the female lead character.
In terms of chemistry, there is none between Holt and Santos. Quite cold, takes too long to get anywhere and then rushes through when it finally shows some sign of developing and too much of a mismatch. 'A Very Country Christmas' is very cheesy in writing to the extent that the pong that exudes from it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The story is a major failing, it's paper thin and beyond bland that is excessively predictable and moves very slowly to chronic dullness. This could easily have been 45 minutes at the maximum.
Concluding, watchable for one time only but mostly a failure. 4/10.
Saw 'A Very Country Christmas' actually with relatively mixed expectations, excepting at least some degree of heart and charm while not expecting a particularly great story or dialogue. Watching it, 'A Very Country Christmas' had its moments. But it was a film that pretty much delivered on not having a great story or dialogue (neither were even good) and didn't have enough heart or charm. Not unwatchable but quite bland with a number of things working against it.
There are good things here. Gresyon Holt was an amiable male lead and has the one character to have any form of likeability or development (while being generally thin on both). The music and songs are very pleasant and nostalgic.
Furthermore, the scenery is suitably picturesque and beautifully photographed. Some parts are cute.
Unfortunately, the bad things outweigh all of them. Bea Santos is nowhere near as appealing, actually found her annoying and self-absorbed as a result of her overdoing her character's negative characteristics. And this is a character full of negative characteristics and quite blatant ones with not many redeeming merits to balance them out, to the extent that one wonders what he sees in her. The rest of the cast overplay and all the characters are one-dimensional (outside of moments of development with Holt's) in a way that's irritating (the villainous boss for example) or dull. Both in the case of the female lead character.
In terms of chemistry, there is none between Holt and Santos. Quite cold, takes too long to get anywhere and then rushes through when it finally shows some sign of developing and too much of a mismatch. 'A Very Country Christmas' is very cheesy in writing to the extent that the pong that exudes from it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The story is a major failing, it's paper thin and beyond bland that is excessively predictable and moves very slowly to chronic dullness. This could easily have been 45 minutes at the maximum.
Concluding, watchable for one time only but mostly a failure. 4/10.
A great escape from noisey stuff all around
ripanmiglani5 July 2020
Generally i would see imdb reciews before watching a movie i am glad i did not before seeing this one.
It was really nice to see such beautiful, simple romantic movie after a long time.Its a gr8 soothing experience for one n half hour.
No flashy screenplay or over the top twists and turns.Just a simple sweet love story highly recommend.
Slow and sad
MickyG33326 January 2024
6.3 stars.
A woman works multiple jobs and is raising a young daughter. She meets a country music star, doesn't realize who he is, he's enamored by her, she is not so interested in him. Heard this story before? Yeah. It's nothing new. The actors are a bit different. I haven't seen most of them in any films before. The lead female appears chronically sad and lacks any expressions other than what appears to be sadness. Sometimes there's a flicker of disappointment or maybe dissatisfaction, not sure which, but I don't think she is ever happy. I don't know if the actress can exhibit those emotions. The lead male is the music star, but he has limited abilities, so the combination of the two brings us a very narrow interpretation of emotions. Even the supporting cast all lack emotions, it's very strange. I don't understand why all the woodenness, it's unnerving.
A woman works multiple jobs and is raising a young daughter. She meets a country music star, doesn't realize who he is, he's enamored by her, she is not so interested in him. Heard this story before? Yeah. It's nothing new. The actors are a bit different. I haven't seen most of them in any films before. The lead female appears chronically sad and lacks any expressions other than what appears to be sadness. Sometimes there's a flicker of disappointment or maybe dissatisfaction, not sure which, but I don't think she is ever happy. I don't know if the actress can exhibit those emotions. The lead male is the music star, but he has limited abilities, so the combination of the two brings us a very narrow interpretation of emotions. Even the supporting cast all lack emotions, it's very strange. I don't understand why all the woodenness, it's unnerving.
OK
Jackbv12319 November 2018
Celebrity hiding out trope.
I don't know if it was bad acting, poor directing, or lame dialogue, but most of the movie felt clumsy.
The plot was thin but instead there was a lot of screen time for Greyston Holt and Bea Santos together. I just wish that had resulted in great chemistry.
Some of the secondary characters were cliche. I wish the evil threatening boss wasn't soooo one dimensional in so many of these movies, but she wasn't the only one. And the other pathetic characters weren't really funny.
There were a couple of nice Christmas songs, more than just family around the piano.
I don't know if it was bad acting, poor directing, or lame dialogue, but most of the movie felt clumsy.
The plot was thin but instead there was a lot of screen time for Greyston Holt and Bea Santos together. I just wish that had resulted in great chemistry.
Some of the secondary characters were cliche. I wish the evil threatening boss wasn't soooo one dimensional in so many of these movies, but she wasn't the only one. And the other pathetic characters weren't really funny.
There were a couple of nice Christmas songs, more than just family around the piano.
Deana Carter Fan Alert
pollyebeel28 January 2021
Who doesn't love a star connecting to their roots? Don't we all really just want to go home and feel the love. Greyston Holt and Bea Santos are adorable together and Deana Carter is a sheer delight to watch on screen.
Cheesy!!!
thenry-212493 July 2021
awkward, confusing, and tasteless
lewiefreese1517 November 2020
This is one of the worst movies I have watched on Netflix
first, there is nothing Christmas about this movie other than the cheap decorations and two lip-synched hymns at the end.
if you're looking for romance, it's comparable to stale bread. disregarding the toxicity of this relationship and the degrading tone Zane uses to Janette, they simply do not know each other enough to say I love you
lastly, where is the plot??? there is no point in this movie so unless you're looking for a seriously mindless video to watch, I recommend literally any other movie.
if you're from Netflix and are reading this, who is funding movies like this and how can I apply to be a writer. I swear I wrote better stuff for my seventh-grade writing club
oh and a side note to the Netflix execs, have we not decided what good vs poor acting is? not trying to be a ruse I just want to know where my 15 dollars a month goes to
first, there is nothing Christmas about this movie other than the cheap decorations and two lip-synched hymns at the end.
if you're looking for romance, it's comparable to stale bread. disregarding the toxicity of this relationship and the degrading tone Zane uses to Janette, they simply do not know each other enough to say I love you
lastly, where is the plot??? there is no point in this movie so unless you're looking for a seriously mindless video to watch, I recommend literally any other movie.
if you're from Netflix and are reading this, who is funding movies like this and how can I apply to be a writer. I swear I wrote better stuff for my seventh-grade writing club
oh and a side note to the Netflix execs, have we not decided what good vs poor acting is? not trying to be a ruse I just want to know where my 15 dollars a month goes to
Enjoyed it
chiefsequatchie19 November 2018
Boring and extremely cheesy
diegoclassen8 December 2019
I wanted to know these people
mdoliver_200010 December 2020
Very boring
frukuk23 November 2019
CHEESIEST MOVIE EVER!!
ribbsh23 November 2020
Deann Carter to carry on Dolly Patrons Torch!!!
tesswysko8 December 2020
First, I'm just going to touch base on my feelings about Deann's acting as Jolene. I've never seen her act before, but she really stole the show! Maybe because the part was so much like her in real life, I don't know, but she just blew me AWAY!!! She is just as sweet as the peach pie my Gran used to make, still as naturally beautiful as The Land Between The Lakes in Kentucky near where my folks are from, with a voice still as clear and fresh as "Strawberry Wine," and as poised and graceful as any Southern Bell EVER WAS!!! She as the heart of the film!
That aside, they picked a REALLY great cast, they all seemed quite natural in the parts (except for maybe the mom/grandma & the Asian girl who kept breaking things while set dressing, I could see she was pushing it so hard that it became over acting, because she was uncomfortable,) and they really seemed to have chemistry! Even the little girl, she wasn't one of those annoying child actors who don't know what they're doing, won't take direction, and so the crew just gives up and uses them as little as possible, this little girl was a DOLL!! And I could totally see them as a family going forward! That's a lot of credit for her being so young!
Meh
tijuarnajane18 November 2020
I'm a Christmas movie fan and a country music fan, so perhaps I expected a bit much from the movie.... contained no country music and pretty sure the guy wasn't actually singing (and definitely not playing the guitar) in the couple of Christmas carols performed in the move - WHERE'S THE MUSIC!
Your typical Christmas movie plot, with typical level acting and cheesiness, but missed an opportunity to make it good with talented musicians.
Your typical Christmas movie plot, with typical level acting and cheesiness, but missed an opportunity to make it good with talented musicians.
Just what I want in a Christmas movie
fiwebgrl19 November 2018
No plot no flavor
joey_k-7406018 November 2020
I came around....
juanmuscle19 November 2020
At first I was a lil' non-plussed at the incoming data assailing me but after I while I realized the protagonist was just like that and then I turned and I realized the single mom really loved her daughter and it seemed like she had her guard up , way up and so she denied a lot of guys including hot rich famous dudes and then well it all came around and I realized she just didn't want to be hurt and it was sweet and nice and it all worked out and it wasn't a bad trip, it was nice and good and I would recommend this for people who don't want like bad words and things of that nature. Also the mom and the daughter were great and cute and fine actresses. Good job , I really came around and it was nice.
Worse than your classic tacky Christmas movie
lordsandever21 December 2022
I immensely enjoy watching hours of tacky and clique Christmas movies, it's apart of my family Christmas activities.
However this movie is beyond unbearable.
From this heavenly light put into almost every scene, it's faker than the green screens of the Star Wars prequel movies.
Then there's the scenes involving the making of a music video. The singing is horrible, I get these aren't disney level in terms of singing ability, but they're just downright awful.
In addition to that, they're just a headache to get through constantly going back and forth in an awkward manner.
The plot started out fine but branched into a chaotic mess of spaghetti. I've seen Lego advertisements with more creativity.
However this movie is beyond unbearable.
From this heavenly light put into almost every scene, it's faker than the green screens of the Star Wars prequel movies.
Then there's the scenes involving the making of a music video. The singing is horrible, I get these aren't disney level in terms of singing ability, but they're just downright awful.
In addition to that, they're just a headache to get through constantly going back and forth in an awkward manner.
The plot started out fine but branched into a chaotic mess of spaghetti. I've seen Lego advertisements with more creativity.
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