Before I get into the review, here are my ratings for the movie.
The story gets 1.25 out of 2: The Direction a 1.25: The Pacing receives a 1: While the Acting gets 1: And my Enjoyment level earns a 1.25 out of 2: This brings the total for A Shoe Addict's Christmas to 5.75 out of 10.
So here we have Candace Cameron Bure's take on A Christmas Carol. And, though it gets foolish in places, it isn't too terrible an effort.
Rick Garman and Beth Harbison provide the viewer with a festive tale about missed chances. When store assistant, Noelle, gets locked in after-hours she is joined by a mysterious woman in red. She calls herself Charlie and waxes lyrical about Christmas, and it's true meaning. Regrettably, she comes across as a little bit tapped, because she cannot fully explain exactly, who she is or why she's 'helping' Noelle. But we all know from the blurb that Charlie is the Angel of the story.
In Charlie's and God's eyes, Noelle should be at a different point in her life. And Charlie has been assigned to set her back on the right track. She does this through the magic of the high top sneakers and razor-point stilettoes. Whenever Noelle slips her toesies into the glamourous footwear, she's transported back into the past, present, or future.
While all these Christmas miracles are happening to her, she still finds time to fall in love and organise a business gala for her department store and local firefighters.
What works best, and keeps the film and story entertaining is the relationship between Noelle and Charlie. It would have been good to have more powerful chemistry between the lovers, Noelle and Jake. The enhanced attraction would have made the conflict Noelle feels when she's unsure of her affections even stronger. To be honest, I don't feel a romantic and loving bond between them. The couple would probably make better friends. Though, we all know there's nowt worse than the Friend-Zone.
Michael Robinson does an excellent job of Christmastime. The whole movie is like an action Hallmark card, which is superb for this style of festive-based film. As with the majority of Christmas flicks the flow is quite fast. Though, it does flag between the middle and fourth quarter. It's not by much, but I did find my attention shifting. It would have been delightful to see a few pleasingly composed iconic shots. There are plenty of moments where these can be produced. And, it would have added to that heartwarming feeling these films possess.
Bure is passable as Noelle, though this is not her most enjoyable screen performance by a long shot. Remember when she started as Aurora Teagarden(?) The character fit her like a glove. However, over the years and episodes, that glove began to appear a little more shoddy and worn. And her take on Noelle has that feeling, for me.
As for Charlie, I wanted more from this Angel. Jean Smart is good but fails to make the character her own. I loved Mrs Miracle, who was superbly acted by the great Doris Roberts: She embodied that character. Even Rob Morrow carried out a decent job in the sequel. For me, an Angel needs to be more pervasive. I don't mean they should be there all the time, but when they are there, you know about it.
The most impressive performances came from the rest of the cast; especially the love interest, Jake, who was portrayed smoothly by Luke MacFarlane; Tenika Davis gives good friend; and Kristian Brunn deftly depicts an under-the-heal, campy son with a heart of gold, to the tee.
A Shoe Addict's Christmas isn't the best Christmas romance, but it's a pleasant way to waste an hour and a half. I'd gladly recommend this flick for a night in with your beloved or for just kickstarting that Christmastime feel.
Slip on your sneakers and sprint over to my Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Belles and check out where our Addict landed in my rankings.
Take Care & Stay Well & Merry Christmas.
The story gets 1.25 out of 2: The Direction a 1.25: The Pacing receives a 1: While the Acting gets 1: And my Enjoyment level earns a 1.25 out of 2: This brings the total for A Shoe Addict's Christmas to 5.75 out of 10.
So here we have Candace Cameron Bure's take on A Christmas Carol. And, though it gets foolish in places, it isn't too terrible an effort.
Rick Garman and Beth Harbison provide the viewer with a festive tale about missed chances. When store assistant, Noelle, gets locked in after-hours she is joined by a mysterious woman in red. She calls herself Charlie and waxes lyrical about Christmas, and it's true meaning. Regrettably, she comes across as a little bit tapped, because she cannot fully explain exactly, who she is or why she's 'helping' Noelle. But we all know from the blurb that Charlie is the Angel of the story.
In Charlie's and God's eyes, Noelle should be at a different point in her life. And Charlie has been assigned to set her back on the right track. She does this through the magic of the high top sneakers and razor-point stilettoes. Whenever Noelle slips her toesies into the glamourous footwear, she's transported back into the past, present, or future.
While all these Christmas miracles are happening to her, she still finds time to fall in love and organise a business gala for her department store and local firefighters.
What works best, and keeps the film and story entertaining is the relationship between Noelle and Charlie. It would have been good to have more powerful chemistry between the lovers, Noelle and Jake. The enhanced attraction would have made the conflict Noelle feels when she's unsure of her affections even stronger. To be honest, I don't feel a romantic and loving bond between them. The couple would probably make better friends. Though, we all know there's nowt worse than the Friend-Zone.
Michael Robinson does an excellent job of Christmastime. The whole movie is like an action Hallmark card, which is superb for this style of festive-based film. As with the majority of Christmas flicks the flow is quite fast. Though, it does flag between the middle and fourth quarter. It's not by much, but I did find my attention shifting. It would have been delightful to see a few pleasingly composed iconic shots. There are plenty of moments where these can be produced. And, it would have added to that heartwarming feeling these films possess.
Bure is passable as Noelle, though this is not her most enjoyable screen performance by a long shot. Remember when she started as Aurora Teagarden(?) The character fit her like a glove. However, over the years and episodes, that glove began to appear a little more shoddy and worn. And her take on Noelle has that feeling, for me.
As for Charlie, I wanted more from this Angel. Jean Smart is good but fails to make the character her own. I loved Mrs Miracle, who was superbly acted by the great Doris Roberts: She embodied that character. Even Rob Morrow carried out a decent job in the sequel. For me, an Angel needs to be more pervasive. I don't mean they should be there all the time, but when they are there, you know about it.
The most impressive performances came from the rest of the cast; especially the love interest, Jake, who was portrayed smoothly by Luke MacFarlane; Tenika Davis gives good friend; and Kristian Brunn deftly depicts an under-the-heal, campy son with a heart of gold, to the tee.
A Shoe Addict's Christmas isn't the best Christmas romance, but it's a pleasant way to waste an hour and a half. I'd gladly recommend this flick for a night in with your beloved or for just kickstarting that Christmastime feel.
Slip on your sneakers and sprint over to my Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas Belles and check out where our Addict landed in my rankings.
Take Care & Stay Well & Merry Christmas.