'Countdown to Christmas' movie review: 'Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater'
A small-town teacher derails a Manhattan architect's holiday plans in the romance 'Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater' (premiering Nov. 7 as part of the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas).
In short: Maggie (Ashley Williams, 'Christmas in Evergreen') is facing Christmas alone until Lucas (Niall Matter, 'Marrying Father Christmas') become an unexpected house guest.
As far as meet-cutes go, it really doesn't get any more disastrous than when Lucas literally ran into Maggie. Well, to be fair, he runs into her Christmas tree - and gets to spend his holidays in an arm cast rather than on the ski slopes. (Yes, the two briefly meet a little earlier in the movie - but it's so quick and superficial that it doesn't really count as a legit 'meet cute'.)
Ashley Williams is one of the best performers in the Hallmark family of stars - and she gets a lot of credit for her radiant charm and a smile absolutely lights up any room. But Williams doesn't get enough credit for the nuance she brings to her characters. Just beneath that irresistible, bubbly charm, Williams adds a subtle, guarded facet to the divorced teacher, wary of falling for a workaholic.
Although Maggie is the first character the audience meets, there's a strong argument that Lucas is actually the protagonist and Maggie is the incredibly charismatic supporting character. From the outset, Lucas is a bit standoffish and a bit of a wayward soul. Not much is known about Lucas - except that he's on some sabbatical and seemingly reluctant to return to his old life in New York City. This frees William up to be the absolute personification of Christmas cheer, while letting Lucas rediscover what truly inspires him.
While 'Christmas Sweater' is a nice holiday romance - but the movie only has the vaguest of direction. Once the plot gets Lucas into staying in Maggie's guest house ... the first third of the romance does not move much beyond Lucas being aloof and Maggie laying on the kindness super thick. Lucas isn't excessively rude - if anything, he just seems like a vacation rental guest who's a little surprised by the generosity of his guilt-ridden host. The movie is ... basically Maggie and Lucas spending time together while volunteering with children - which is an unexpectedly relaxing and nice departure from some high-concept Hallmark movies.
Final verdict: 'Sweater' just lets Maggie and Lucas fall in love, so it's a great Hallmark romance that's the perfect relax-and-watch holiday flick.
Score: 4 calling birds (out of 5)
'Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater' is rated TV-G and has a running time of 90 minutes. The movie premieres on The Hallmark Channel on Nov. 7.
