Switched for Christmas (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews

Swappity swap don't swap back

[LeoMarvin88 · 8/10 · 6 November 2018]

Candace Cameron Bure is one of those Hallmark ladies that I'm always excited to see on the Christmas Line-Up. Maybe it's because I grew up with Full House or I enjoy the cheese she brings to the party.

I love The Parent Trap (the superior one with Lindsey Lohan. Sorry, the old one is SO LONG AND SO BORING). So this premise is already enjoyable with the twin sisters trading places. Thank goodness there's no husband/boyfriends so there isn't any *cover your eyes* bedtime weirdness. The only thing I'm disappointed in is that they didn't make one the twins British somehow, I know, I know it doesn't make sense but it would have been fun to see Candace Cameron Bure try. (yes, you must say her name as a whole, its required)

What is with her and her damn Dream Board? I'm not opposed but this is the second movie I've seen her have one.

Overall, the premise is fun and familiar, the acting is decent and the music is perfectly seasonal. I'll be putting this on my rotation for next year.

Which one is that?

[Jackbv123 · 8/10 · 30 November 2017]

This was confusing. The idea of twins switching is probably as old as mankind. It's certainly been done in books and movies. But it isn't done in Christmas movies as often as so many of the other devices. And this one was done pretty well.

The story had all kinds of possibilities and made good use of some of them. If nothing else, the movie kept you on your toes trying to remember which one you were looking at as the settings switched back and forth. I think we knew that in the end we weren't going to be very surprised.

So often in reviews we talk about the chemistry of the leads. Candace Cameron-Bure had chemistry, with two men. Eion Bailey and Adam Sinclair each clicked with Candace.

Production and scenery were good. It had mountain view and exterior Christmas decorations and interior Christmas decorations which were all beautiful.

As is often true with Hallmark, family was a big theme. And many of the other traditional themes were present as well including some sappiness. However, overall, I think this movie presents it all in a little different way.

Cute, but inaccurately describes Denver/Littleton

[jentaulbee · 7/10 · 4 November 2018]

The movie itself is cute, but as a Denver native, the inaccuracies are ridiculous. First, some of the aerial shots weren't even of Denver. Second, while Littleton does have some outlying areas and a Main Street, it's a suburb of Denver. When one of the twins mentions wanting to get out of Littleton as a child - you hop in the car and are in downtown in 15-20 minutes, not an hour. It's not some small town an hour out of the city.

seductive

[Kirpianuscus · 18 November 2018]

...not for the story itself but for nice and useful moral. An interesting twist, lovely performances, the atmosphere of Christmas, the answer to envy and the simple solutions to the desire to be the other. And, sure, a great film about family. Simple, touching, precise message. And good performances . A sort, maybe only at the first sigh, of "The Prince and the Pauper". Working in admirable manner.

Cute little movie

[susanmaple · 6/10 · 12 December 2018]

I am in hopes that the other review, which gave this movie a low, low, low rating, does not discourage anyone from watching it. IMDB gave it a 6.7 rating, which I pretty much agree with. Although we all know how the movie will turn out, it is enjoyable to watch. I really like the actress who played the main character(s) and did not agree with the reviewer's disparaging remarks in that line, as well as other comments made about this movie. That said, I did have to do a little thinking at the beginning of each scene to remember which sister it was. I just personally liked the movie enough to counter the other review.

Did I miss a scene?

[bishopclisa · 7/10 · 23 November 2018]

Where is the scene with teenage Chris, Kate, Blake, and Tom? They are all listed in the credits, but I don't remember any scene with them in it.

Not your typical swapping place tale!

[Reno-Rangan · 7/10 · 24 December 2017]

The best part of this film is it was not your typical Christmas film. When it says 'Switched', that seems not interesting. There are many films on that theme, so you might think you are exhausted to take a chance on this. But this is a good, a decent one at least. Even though, it revolved on a silly concept, everything was told in a much better way. I meant very maturely, without any fuss.

Chris and Kate a twin drifted away while growing into adults. Now on one Christmas eve they are brought together by their loving father. They envied each others lives, which led them to switch the place just for like a day as they did a long ago. But the following events made them stay a bit longer. For such deed, there's always waits a serious consequence to explode and how that affects these sisters are revealed in the climax.

Only recently I've checked out Candance Cameron's 'Aurora Teagarde Mystery' film series and liked them. So I was excited for this to see her one more time. A much better Christmas film I've seen in this season. Because usually Christmas themed films are overwhelmed with nothing but Christmas elements. This one happened in the backdrop of Christmas, but the preference was given to other than that. Forget about the cliches, but still it is worth a watch. Nothing like children's films you've seen on the same theme.

6.5/10

Not one of her best!!

[Marynewcomb2013 · 6/10 · 18 November 2018]

Candace has done some good Christmas movies & I have a few of those but this one was just not there. I guess it's just where the "switch" thing has been done to death. If you feel like seeing this, go on and watch but you might feel the same way. Also, watch out for a professional reviewer on here that goes by "Christmas reviewer"!! They put up first thing that they have reviewed 400 Christmas movies on one review and the next one I read it was over 500 in less than half a year & that tells you they are PAID for those reviews!!

One of my favorites!

[lovemontana · 10/10 · 28 December 2019]

Candace Cameron Bure is usually in some of the best Hallmark movies and this is one of them. The haters don't like her values and/or are just jealous bitter women. "No Meryl Streep" who cares? Meryl Streep has become a bitter old woman too! I realize the twin switch has been done, so what? She did a fantastic job and the leading men were great also. I don't watch Hallmark expecting to see these movies on the awards shows (not that I watch awards shows) I watch them to feel good and Christmasy. So watch and enjoy!

Good story

[toncincin · 6/10 · 17 July 2018]

The story is cute. Candace is a pretty face as twin sisters... but that's it. She's not a very good actress - these roles were too complicated for her. Hey Hallmark! You might not want to use a real city in your story. Littleton is a suburb of Denver - with a population of 50,000. That's NOT a small town ... in anyone's book.

Casting Mistake

[alexpaulson-13924 · 1/10 · 9 February 2018]

I fully understand Candace Cameron's appeal. However as light hearted as this film is her charms do not work at all in this film.

In this film she plays "twins" that are opposite. Each think of course the other has an "Easier Life". So they both decide to switch for the holidays. Now this is not a "Freaky Friday" its "Wife Swap".

The film suffers because Candace fails to bring 3 dimensions to both parts. She is flat. She also need to make each "Person" have different mannerisms. Because she fails the film fails because the truth is "The Minor Differences" that she brings isn't enough to being an "A-Ha" moment to a full realization.

Hallmark Staple Alicia Witt should have been given this project. She would made a film people would remember!

Watch Out Alicia. Here Comes Candace.

[gehewe · 10/10 · 15 January 2018]

I consider Alicia Witt as the Queen of Christmas movies. I have to say that Candace is close to getting that title with this movie. Both actresses have had one Christmas movie a year since 2013. Alicia had one great (A very Merry Mix-up), 2 excellent and 2 OK. Now Candace has 2 greats (the other is Christmas Detour) and 3 so-so (Let it Snow, Christmas Under Wraps and Journey Back to Christmas). I think Christmas Detour was better than this because of Paul Greene and Sarah Strange.

This movie was all Candace playing both twin sister parts. She did an awesome job. It was great all the way through. The nature of the story made for constant conflict and change which made it exciting. The movie effectively played music during some scenes which otherwise could be boring. The two male leads were great and it was very apparent why each liked the sisters.

I think it so unfair the two top reviewers (as I write this) give it a 1/10. Support Candace and lift up the good reviews.

Could of been better

[Christmas-Reviewer · 6/10 · 19 May 2019]

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 500 CHRISTMAS MOVIES! BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I WATCH EACH ONE WITH AN OPEN MIND.

When identical twin sisters are stuck planning their respective Christmas parties, they're convinced the grass is greener on the other side. Deciding to swap lives for the holiday, the lessons they learn along the way may turn out to make this the best Christmas ever.

This film would have been better had the makers of this film cast "Ashley Williams". Candace is sweet but she can not pull off the dual role here. If Hallmark Don't get me wrong "Candace is nice" but this film shows her limitations!

Candace Fans Keep Reporting This Review

[Sober-Friend · 1/10 · 1 February 2018]

I wrote my review when this first aired. I know Candace has her fans. I like some of her films but she can't act that great. She is pleasant but she is no Meryl Streep. Because Candace plays twins in this film she proves how limiting her acting is 2 fold.

In this film Candace plays twin sisters. they each think the other has a simpler life. So like they did once when they were children they decide to change places.

Now each twin has a vastly different life from one another. That should set up complications and it does but Candace can not pull off the dual role.

Her "Twins" act the same. Candace does nothing to make each twin have its own "personality" . Candace you need to learn how to spend time building a character. Obviously you are playing a version of yourself and you are boring!

At times you overdo your eye gestures like you are filming a situation comedy.

This is not a bad film. It would of been a great film had they cast "An Actress" not a "Personality". You can call Candace an Actress but I really can't

Let's see how long this review stays up!

Enjoy this one

[Northener · 12 November 2019]

Not a fan of Candace at all, but I actually like this one best of all of hers. I'm sure another actress would have done better, but I enjoyed the story anyway. Probably because it doesnt involve the usual insipid Hallmark plotline - woman gives up her whole life and career in the big city to move to smallville for some guy she just met. Ridiculous. This film is just fun, which is what they should be.

I noticed in the goofs someone incorrectly mentioned a change of coats on the opening scene. That's two different scenes, the two different characters in two different coats. Unless they fixed a goof after first airing, do they do that?

2020 Update

[klaverweid · 7/10 · 18 July 2020]

Nice HM movie staring Candace Cameron Bure. While I like the movie some of it just doesn't work for me. On an aside, this movie was #17 of the top 25 movies for Christmas In July!

Twins separated at birth...

[rightisright · 7/10 · 7 September 2019]

Meet up at a summer camp, and switch places! Okay that's what I would rather watch than this movie. As much as I like Candace Cameron Bure, this one doesn't work. Both twins look and act the same. Put a little more effort into it.

Family flurry with food and festivities in this Christmas experiment

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 30 November 2022]

"Switched for Christmas" is a good film for the annual flurry of usual Christmas romances at year's end. There have been some films over the years, including a couple of Christmas season comedies, in which people switch places (geographically, but not in jobs and families). But, this is the first one in ages, that I know of, involving switches by twins of their regular lives for a short period. The first one was the 1961 smash hit, "The Parent Trap," in which Haley Mills starred as twins Susan Evers and Sharon McKendrick. In this film, Candace Bure plays twin sisters Kate Lockhart and Chris Dixon.

Kate has never married, lives in Denver, likes the big city lifestyle, is a vice president of a development firm, and is a health food nut (smoothies, etc.). Chris lives in the suburb of Littleton, likes the smaller town atmosphere, is a single mom (apparent widow) of two young teens, who fixes hearty bacon and egg breakfasts for her family in the morning. And, after she gets Piper and Gabe off to school, she heads out to teach art. With their different life styles and likes, Kate and Chris have gone their separate ways. It's been two years since they've seen one another. Now, their dad, Ed Lockhart (played by Walter Platz) has invited each one to brunch with him - unbeknownst to the other. When they all meet, he tells them that this is the renewal of their promise to their mother before she died, that they would have Christmas brunch together every year. And, he leaves them to their brunch.

As they sit down to eat, they bicker. Each one thinks the other has it made in the shade, an easy life, etc. They had switched places once before, when they were younger. But now the opportunity arises again, for each one to step in the other's shoes just until Christmas. It's a challenge that each one looks forward to. And, with cell phones to be able to keep in constant contact, they are assured of knowing who and what on one another's end.

One can guess how this will go, and it is very interesting, with some good comedy, romance for each twin, and very good interplay with other members of the cast. Chris tells Piper and Gabe because they would be able to tell for sure. Bure does a very good job in playing both roles. I watched the interviews on the DVD of the film, and she talked about how it could get confusing at times. Many of her scenes had her one character talking to the other, and it was challenging to keep straight which one she was in each instance. It's quite understandable, and she did a very good job.

The film is a good picture of family, friendships, understanding and appreciating one another, and romance. It has just the right amount of humor. A brief opening scene shows what is supposed to be the Denver skyline with the mountains behind the city, but it's clearly Salt Lake City. That's where the movie was filmed.

Here are a couple of favorite exchanges of lines.

Piper, "We would have known." Gabe, 'You're twins, not clones."

Greg, "I can come up with the dimensions, but I need the gingerbread." Kate, as Chris switched to Kate, "Oh, I can do it. I love baking." Greg, "Who are you, and what have you done with Kate Lockhart?" Kate/Chris, "I could tell you, but I'd like you much better alive."

It's the same person

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 13 November 2023]

7.3 stars.

It's the same person, an actress named Candace. Ok, but isn't this supposed to be a switch where some people can tell the difference between the twins, thereby adding some intrigue? Only the father can tell? Not even the kids? Not even the man she worked with for years, or the principal or other people who the other she worked with for years as well?

This is a fun film, but it goes way beyond the boundaries of acceptable norms. Like I said, this is a lot of fun and entertaining, all the actors are lively and likable. The romances are endearing and sweet, so I'm glad they put that element in it. The attractions of different men to the "same" woman was realistic, and yet so totally outlandish. You'll see. In the end, I like everything about the movie except for the fact that there is no attempt to make it dramatic or suspenseful. We need more challenges and obstacles, but there are none. Where are the consequences? None. Oh well, but it's fun.

Movie Surprised Me

[rdrivera-78101 · 9/10 · 31 December 2017]

My girlfriend loves Hallmark --I'm not much into it , but for me being a suspense, action type --I loved the movie ! The reason --the movie producers did a great job of making Candace play two parts which is a job in itself . Good FAMILY morals -- which this country needs so badly . The naysayers should not take this movie so serious --my friends and kids loved the movie . I must admit a lot of other Hallmark movies are too corny , but this one kept me interested until the ending .Good job Hallmark !

Let's See if they will report me

[caiforniagirl · 1/10 · 1 February 2018]

I found this film to devoid of any charm or acting talent every time Candace pops up. She seems to act like she is a 25 year old twins in this but she is 42. This makes this film dreadful.

The story is also short on plausibility and likability. Candace is just so bad in this you just want to avoid the next movie she does which I most likely will.

This film is about identical twin sisters are stuck planning their respective Christmas parties, they're convinced the grass is greener on the other side. Deciding to swap lives for the holiday.

Candace you made this film stupid.

I loved this movie for the most part

[justdoodlingaround · 10/10 · 16 February 2020]

I thought Cameron C-B was so cute throughout the movie, although I didn't feel she had any connection with the actor Eion Bailey. He was ok, but I felt the character was a little flat. I have watched this movie 4 x over the past Christmas season, as I loved the chemistry between her and Mark Deklin, but Eion Bailey wasn't as strong of a character in terms of him being interesting. I did find the most annoying part to be the end when he says, "Then...now...." at the end while skating with her. In fact, it was so annoying and hilarious to me that I made it into a meme that I torture my kids with. I feel like his character was so almost withdrawn that it was hard to connect with him, but Cameron C-B really sparkled around Deklin. A feel good movie - we all know how it's going to end after watching the very beginning, but who cares? The point of Christmas/romance movies is to feel good.

Another movie watching cameron candace bure change clothes

[hallmarkmov · 2/10 · 21 May 2021]

We get it, you look amazing and have kept in shape after dancing with the stars, but would it be bad to have a scene without cameron candace bure? She likely produced this movie too as with all the other Christmas movies she is in. I've wondered if they say the wrong names and if we would even notice? Every movie she is in, she loses nothing and gains everything! And now you get a double dose with her pretending to be TWO people! This seemed like an excuse to change even more outfits than in her other movies.

Great!

[rokitdeluxe · 2 December 2017]

I loved this movie. Décor is great. Not always the case with Hallmark. You either get real Christmas decoration that look professionally done or the occasional flat red bow thrown here and there. Enjoyed the actors. Fun fun Christmas movie. Will save this one. I also liked the one she did last year Journey Back to Christmas. That one surprised me. I thought Candace's acting was the best I've seen in her. Well done.

One of my favorite Christmas movies!

[drbingham1959 · 10/10 · 28 October 2019]

I love watching Candace in all of her movies. I am seeking to find out the bedding name and brand of one of the openings scenes where she is the teacher getting out of bed to make breakfast and wake up her kids. It is a beautiful set! Reds and other colors. Love it and all her movies!