Christmas Encore (2017)

I am a big Maggie Lawson fan from Psych and was excited about her being in a Christmas movie. I also love Brennan Elliot. They were both a delight throughout the movie. The first 30 minutes of the movie was pretty good. The movie lacked something in the execution of the story. The story was actually pretty good in which an actress gets her big break by starring in a Christmas play as a female scrooge. Wish they had included more of this play dynamic. The movie was not dull (stayed awake and engaged the whole time). A bit of a disappointment here but I hope Maggie keeps up the Christmas movies.

There is really nothing redeeming about this movie. It just doesn't get it. It really has nothing to do with Christmas. Just doesn't work. Maggie Lawson has got nothing going on. Ugh, Noting works in this movie.

There's nothing wrong with this movie, but there is also nothing really great about it. The story revolves around putting on a production of A Christmas Carol, which is pretty well used. (But the story itself is not patterned after Christmas Carol.) There is the additional plot device of they're-going-to-close-our-theater-we-have-to-save-it. That's also well used. It picks up some sentimental points with an underdog-makes-it-big story. And of course the romance. There aren't any really exciting plot twists.The acting was good. Maggie Lawson is charming and optimistic and energetic. Brennan Elliott is his usual being a regular in the Hallmark romance stable. He's maybe a tad old for Agostino. The rest of the cast was also decent.It's pretty typical Hallmark, so if that's what you like, you should like it well enough. If that's not your cup of tea, this one is probably not for you.

OK, I admit I enjoy sappy holiday movies. I don't expect award winning fare. I have no problem "suspending disbelief" for movies that incorporate magic, Santa, or even time travel. Christmas Encore pushed the boundaries a little too far. It starts AFTER Thanksgiving with nothing but a title and plans to put on a play for Christmas. That concept in an elementary school would be a massive stretch. This is a NY City theater. I can only imagine people who work both behind the scenes and on stage being mortified by the ridiculous time frame.Christmas Encore has the usual romantic conflict and misunderstanding (Which is minor so that is a positive) with a decent supporting cast. I wish some of the theater group had actually been shown doing their jobs. ie: sets, costumes. I love the set director, Sid.It is made more watchable by Brennan Elliott who seems to have become a Hallmark "go to" guy and Maggie Lawson who also has a Psych movie released at the same time. If you have time kill or are a fan of a cast member then by all means enjoy the movie. If you only have time to choose a few movies to watch, I would recommend moving on to another one...