Not only is the love interest in this movie extremely difficult to root for, but the heroine contradicts herself constantly and ends up choosing the wrong man! In other words, parts of The Sweetest Christmas is just like real life.

At the start of the film, we're introduced to Lacey Chabert and her boyfriend Mar Andersons. He's too focused on his work and seems to only value her work ethic and contributions to "the team", so she breaks up with him. Then, she's reunited with an old flame from high school, single dad Lea Coco, and sparks fly. The only problem is Lea also lets work take his first priority, and he also only appreciates her inner qualities, like how she interacts with his son and her ambition and creativity at work. I got the distinct impression that the audience isn't really supposed to notice the similarities. It is realistic, though; how many times do we find a new main squeeze who's exactly like our ex and we claim that "this one's totally different!"?

There's absolutely no chemistry between Lacey and Lea, and the only good part of the movie is the best friend and comic relief, Jonathan Adams. He's absolutely hilarious and even ad libs when Lea spills his coffee on him during one scene. To top everything off, Lacey utters the corniest, most ridiculous line in Hallmark history: "I have to show him how I feel, the best way I know how: with gingerbread." Trust me, you don't have to sit through this one. Watch Family for Christmas instead.

There were quite a few reasons for wanting to see 'The Sweetest Christmas'. The title was a little corny but also somewhat appetising. The idea for the story was hardly innovative but sounded cute enough. Lacey Chabert is always a likeable watch, like her voice work too, and generally one of the better prolific Hallmark leads, whether their festive efforts or in general. Have been on another one of my completest quests since November/December, and this was part of it.

If there was one word to sum up 'The Sweetest Christmas' it would be okay. It is not a bad film, it is at least palatable, and there are things that come off well. At the same time it is not one of Hallmark's better Christmas efforts and a bit of a missed opportunity, too many of its components being average at best. Will say though that 'The Sweetest Christmas' is not one of the worst either, there are worse written, acted and looking and ones that bored, annoyed and insulted the intelligence more.

Visually, 'The Sweetest Christmas' looks quite good with it being shot and lit well and while standard the settings were appealing at least. The music is a pleasant listen with some nostalgic song choices, and didn't sound over-scored or gimmicky.

Chabert is her usual likeable and charming self and carries the film with ease. Jonathan Adams is amusing and quite delightful in his role, his comic timing bringing some welcome levity, and the cast in general look comfortable and nobody is below average. The chemistry always came over as natural.

However, the story doesn't have enough to it. Actually don't mind awfully that it was very formulaic, what bothered me was that there was very unimaginatively executed, was really not much of one at all, had some fairly contrived situations and the film gets so sweet (too much so) in places it was almost sickly. The script is similarly thin and quite routine, it has some shining moments with Adams but it tended to have an awkward flow and was excessively cheesy and schmaltzy.

Pacing can be a problem, with the story being too little a lot of the film crawls along and feels over-stretched. The direction is only functional at best and can be on the leaden side of things and while the characters are inoffensive enough there is no real depth to them.

Summing up, okay but a middling/middle-tier festive Hallmark effort. 5/10

Kylie Watson (Lacey Chabert) is trying to start her own cake business and expecting a marriage proposal from boyfriend Alex. He brings her to a pizza place owned by her high school boyfriend Nick. Instead of a marriage proposal, Alex offers her a promotion. Disappointed, she breaks up with him. She gets into the American Gingerbread Competition and needs Nick's oven.

I actually like Alex trying to fix it. It's not the greatest move. It could have been funny. Of course, Kylie has to go with the hunkier guy and on top of that, he has a cute little boy. Lacey Chabert is super sweet and that's the central heart of this Hallmark romance. Otherwise, I don't think this would work. I don't really like Nick. She makes it work. She is so up that she uplifts the whole movie. In the end, that's all that matters in this type of movies.