Hallmark Christmas films are very variable. There is a handful of them that are surprisingly good/decent, many that are somewhere in between barely average and decent, some lacklustre at best ones and some really quite bad ones. This is coming from somebody who has considered Christmas her favourite time of year for the whole of her nearly 28 years (have not revealed my age on here for a long time in trying to be discreet about personal details). Merritt Patterson can be very appealing when served well.
'Picture a Perfect Christmas' is neither one of the best Hallmark Christmas films or one of the worst. For me it is one of the somewhere in between efforts and the ones that are slightly above average. Not a bad film at all by all means, but didn't consider 'Picture a Perfect Christmas' a great film unlike respectfully some of the other reviewers. Patterson is served well thank goodness, but this is a case of her deserving of a better co-lead, whereas she is one of the reasons to see the film he is a main reason as to why it doesn't work better.
Will start with the good things. 'Picture a Perfect Christmas' is a nice-looking film, the scenery being especially attractive. The music is suitably festive and doesn't overbear, the use of old favourite Christmas songs/carols didn't come over as too obvious or over-the-top nor inappropriate for the scenes. There are some charming and heart-warming moments and the story does have some genuine and unforced heart.
Generally the characters didn't bore or annoy me, Sophie being a likeable characters. There are enough moments of sweet chemistry between her and Jon Cor. Mostly the acting is better than average, Patterson coming out on top in a sparkling performance that was never dull or over-acted. Paula Shaw and Nicole Oliver are worthy support for her, Shaw seeming to enjoy herself. Luke Roessler as Troy has proved to be more divisive here, to me he wasn't cloying or obnoxious.
On the other hand, Cor never seemed as engaged or as at ease. Actually thought like a few others here that he looked lost and out of his depth. His chemistry with Patterson has its moments but too often is awkward and lacks spark. The story is a formulaic one in the first place, being mostly standard festive Hallmark, and 'Picture a Perfect Christmas' does nothing new with it.
Also, there is a lack of tension and little at stake, outcomes never being in doubt, so the film too often feels too bland (the erratic pace doesn't help) and safe. Too much of the dialogue is enough to make one cringe in its cheesiness and it tends to be strained and too schmaltzy.
In summary, slightly above average but to me it was nothing special. 6/10
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