It certainly helps that the plethora of songs used throughout is all catchy and works well within the narrative. Cheatham sings quite well and with lots of heart, adding to the characterization and use of music in the film. However, several scenes are clearly overdubbed and not very well. This, much like the lens flare, is distracting when it happens.
The story of All I Want For Christmas Is You is not as deep as Past Lives, but for a Hallmark-esque offering, it covers some interesting territory. The characters, Ashley especially, are engaging, charismatic, and likable. Nick has a lot to offer and is a lot of fun. Bobby is patient and kind. Both are great picks for Ashley, but her choosing one or the other means she’s breaking someone’s heart and hurting herself in some way. There’s a lot of weight here, and the screenplay doesn’t allow anyone to gloss over the heavier themes. However, some scenes end or begin abruptly, and the sequence at a diner seems to have come from a different film entirely. It is unnecessary, tonally different, and just awkward.
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“…for a Hallmark-esque offering, it covers some interesting territory.”
But what guides audiences through the various issues, technical and storywise, is the cast. While Cheatham’s singing is good, she’s even better at acting. She makes Ashley’s push-pull over who to choose compelling. The actor is charming and fun, making the fact that Nick and Bobby fall for her so quickly entirely believable. West underplays the first few scenes, which works well, because as Nick and Ashley’s heat up, he opens up. Perry lights up the screen with ease, commanding attention in each scene. Further complicating the relationship dynamics is that Cheatham has strong chemistry, of a different kind, with West and Perry.
All I Want For Christmas Is You is a different holiday romance offering. While it has flaws in the audio and visual departments, those flaws stem from trying to stand out and not feel so cookie-cutter. The strong cast really sells the engaging story and keeps the film afloat through all the ups and downs.
"…a different holiday romance offering."
