Magic in Mistletoe (2023 TV Movie) User Reviews

My favorite parts all revolve around the fictional Christmas fairy.

[cgvsluis · 7/10 · 11 December 2023]

This is the story of an author of a Christmas series who has lost his parents and become disillusioned by the commercialization of the season and his book. In a pre Christmas interview he says as much and the publishers receive a big backlash from fans.

Enter the fixer, who lies to the author to get him back to his home town and participating in the Christmas festivities that inspired his books in the first place.

I really liked the dialog between these two. It was well written and well delivered. I liked the cameo by Paul Campbell's cowriter and frequent costar, who appears as a barista. I appreciated that his childhood friends and townspeople who knew Harrington, understood and still cared about him...and were grateful for what his books had done for their town of mistletoe.

I really appreciated that we get to see the inspiration for the Christmas fairy, but that he kept it a mystery for all his readers.

I liked that the fixer, April, really did seem prepared for anything...and her fairy outfit was amazing.

It wasn't my favorite film this holiday season, but I did enjoy it especially the inspiration backstories.

Super cute, but could've been better!

[rdubz-23518 · 6/10 · 12 December 2023]

I would've loved for this movie to have done something a little bolder in terms of conflict. What I mean is, Harrington's trauma about his parents being a barrier as to why he wanted to return to town, to celebrate Christmas in general, etc. Was believable enough, but I think the storyline would've benefitted if April's backstory played a role into her over-preparedness.

She could for example be that way because when her dad died, she really had no warning and wished there was more she could've done. So now in adulthood she goes above and beyond to prepare for every possible outcome that way there wouldn't be any unforeseen circumstances. And then that could've strengthened she and Harry's bond even more! But hey, that's just the aspiring writer in me talking.

Overall I found this movie cute. I think Paul and Lyndie had good chemistry as the leads, and I hope she's in more Hallmark movies. Really liked the fact that they only acknowledged they liked each other and not loved, lol, it made it feel more real! There could've been some more bonding opportunities between Harry and April to beef up their attraction to each other, but all in all, a fairly decent offering from 23' CTC!

Christmas with some Conflict

[innerlooper96 · 7/10 · 31 December 2023]

I have read the other reviews so far, and I definitely understand why this movie isn't necessarily a favorite.

A quick summary: Paul Campbell, known for his clever wit and affability, takes a more moody tone in this movie. Instead of being his usual laid-back self, he portrays a 'down on life' author, and is insufferably grouchy, though we understand his plight.

He lost his parents, and has become sour on Christmas as a result. On top of this, his infamous books (which struck me as Harry Potter-esque) have bloated his fame to proportions that make him feel overcommericalized and basically sick of everything.

His publicist is helping to save him from himself; she tries her best to do damage control, but he's slow to trust her and she is equally put off by him.

They find common ground by the end of the movie, although the chemistry (in my eyes) never forms. I don't know if PC is trying to stay out of really romantic roles; I understand he's happily married in real life, and I'm sure that there's some hesitation on his part to sink into these overly romantic roles. He does fantastic work with comic relief, and that is his strongest suit.

I missed the witty writing in this movie; none of the lines or situations were particularly memorable for me. What I did love was that we can all relate to imperfect relationships and feeling down on ourselves/life. Even when we have everything we need, or success as it is defined in society, loneliness and isolation are pervasive; in fact, it is often worse when we have reached success.

The hardest thing for me to write is that I find this movie somewhat dull. I wanted to love it, and the two leads are both attractive and brilliant in their skill. It just wasn't a good Christmas-escapism kind of movie. From the drama standpoint, this would be a good flick to watch if you feel a little blue, or have been struggling to make sense of well-intentioned people that inadvertently have caused you pain.

The movie touches on the reason for his sadness, and it's something most adults will experience.

The scenery was beautiful, including the properties they used; his house is perfection. I also loved the few scenes with children in them, especially when Paul's character is fielding questions and he dotes on the adorable little girl (the fairy!). He shines with children, and it's easy to see he was being completely himself in that moment, and also with Bree and Luca (the other children in the movie).

It's possible that the movie could be improved by a little more softness from the female lead; it was hard for me to feel any chemistry at all between the two leads, and this was mainly his doing (getting significantly miffed in two scenes), but she also had a sort of 'edge'. In real life, I would never expect these two characters to really connect romantically.

Slow moving Christmas romance

[SeabrookeSmiles · 6/10 · 19 December 2023]

The movie was rather slow moving. But it was your typical Hallmark Christmas romance film so that's to be expected.

Most of the acting was average-Except the woman who played April. She was very good. It never felt like she was "acting."

Once again, there is a Hallmark movie in a small town with some Christmas festival going on. I don't know why they came up. Can't come up with better plot lines.

And it sure was slow moving. I wished I could fast forward.

It had your typical sappy ending. All is well with the world in a Hallmark movie. The drama from the conflict is insignificant in these movies. But it doesn't matter. This is like drinking a cup of hot cocoa in a small town in December. Soothing, comfortable, and basically unimportant.

Uneven and drawn out

[dankolbet · 4/10 · 10 December 2023]

Full disclosure, I was hoping for a comedy since this film stars Paul Campbell (Three Wisemen and a Baby). The dude also wrote Unexpected Christmas, a classic. Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Paul plays Harrington, an author who wrote a series of Christmas novels focused on his hometown of (you'll never guess) Mistletoe. He posts a scrooge-like message online and is on the verge of being cancelled until his publisher's PR rep shows up to save him; wow him; spend time with him; hand him pens; decorate in ways he hates; slow the story down; meet people who already know him; accompany him to sparsely attended events. OK, all of these things. This film is incredibly uneven. Harrington seemed to learn his lesson in minute 36 or so, when my movie-watching buddy turned to me and asked if the movie was already over. Sorry, there was 1.5 hours of bland mushiness, and mild life-lessons remaining.

You Get EXACTLY what you came for ...

[JaneU2143 · 9/10 · 10 December 2023]

This is a Hallmark Christmas Movie. It's this time of the year that I come to Hallmark to get out of the "Real World" and stick my head in the Christmas Sand.

The formula is basically the same with each film but THAT IS WHY WE WATCH THESE !!! They make us feel good at Christmas.

There are about 6 or 7 Actors that I'll watch the Christmas Movie without knowing what it is about. In particular, Paul Campbell is one. I used to look for the new Christmas Movies to watch by the current year first. Now I look by Actor's Name AND the current year hoping they've made a new one!

After last year's "THREE WISE MEN AND A BABY", he stuck out. That film is a Hallmark all-time Fave and you don't need to be a Hallmark Fan to love that one.

So when I read negative reviews, I can't help but think "why are you here?". You are getting exactly why you turn on these holiday films to begin with.

No doubt that some ARE better than others and I am a huge Hallmark Movie Fan. I watch with my cuz and we came up with our own Rating System as follows: Fair (7) Cute & Good (8), Very ROMANTIC (9), BIG Feel Good movie that makes us CRY & a Fave (10).

There have been a couple of them that I have stopped watching for 30 minutes bc they have not captured and kept my attention. We warn each other not to bother. They NEVER star one of the big Hallmark Stars.

THIS MOVIE WAS CUTE & GOOD...hardly a flop by any means.

One of the worst Hallmark Movies I've seen

[videoacct19 · 2/10 · 10 December 2023]

This has to be one of the worst Hallmark Christmas movies I have ever seen. The beginning of the movie is very abrupt. There's no introduction or build up as to what the story line is. Then the entire movie is choppy with no real flow to the events that take place. On top of that the casting is absolutely horrendous. There is no chemistry between the two main characters, the woman who is cast as one of the lead's mother looks literally nothing like her, and the people who are to be the neighbors in the small town seem to have no connection, don't appear to be family or anything. It almost seems like whoever did the casting for this either just told their friends they could be in a movie, they were in a rush to cast it, or they were filling the roles with people who needed experience.

Entertaining and sweet

[dbuckshnis · 8/10 · 10 December 2023]

For a Christmas movie, it was cute and entertaining.

To start the show with a selfish quote about Christmas being only about money.

The actor playing Harrington was a good and played being aloof at the start. But that little girl Bree took the show as did little boy Luca! Yes, the Christmas Fairy is real! The other acting ensemble good and show their respect and gratitude towards the key players.

The chemistry of Harrington and April was great and it's predictable what's about to happen and of course she looks stunning as Christmas Fairy.

Harrington's house is fabulous and the entire town is picturesque. The scenery is stunning, especially that beautiful tree farm.

We all need to see the world in a less negative way and this movie made me smile.

No magic in mistletoe

[paulfwhitejr · 1/10 · 21 December 2023]

I know I sound like the grinch but this is the worst hallmark Christmas movie I've ever watched...my wife and I watch alot but this guy and the leading lady would never make it in the real world...he's flat and drab in acting and is way below her pay grade...no chemistry at all. Most of these movies are around 5 with an occasional 7...maybe cause I'm a guy but I watch alot of these and this one was a bomb...if the guy could be replaced with most dudes they use it actually might have a half life...and the script of getting upset with the leading lady twice proves to me he's a turkey and she needs to find a better human being.

A publicist rescues a writer

[MickyG333 · 8/10 · 1 January 2024]

8.0 stars.

'Magic in Mistletoe' is of a rare breed of films that really caught my attention, even though there isn't anything particularly outstanding. The whole production is above average, not a single aspect is tawdry or leaves us expecting for more than what is delivered at each precise and timely moment. The romance is spot on, not too fast, not too slow, not too much, or too little. We don't have to wade through the formulaic monotony of most Hallmark stories, but instead we are humored by a cast of characters and a production crew with something fresh. But is anything really original in 'Magic in Mistletoe'? No, not really. But what is novel is the way it's presented. Something about the method in which the leads interact somehow feels different like genuine attraction, more than a performance.

He portrays an author of bestselling Christmas fantasy novels that are based upon the town he grew up in: Mistletoe. As of late, he has been morose and somewhat of a scrooge, recently caught posting a statement about how he no longer believes in Christmas. His sullen attitude is very believable. She is his publicist, and must be a taskmaster as she attempts to resurrect his career from total devastation. What a wonderful and charismatic actress she is to bring to life a "groupie" persona, of a woman who secretly adores everything about him: his writing, his character, his faults, and his failures. But she must also control her emotions and guide him back to the focused and successful writer that he once was.

This story builds up to a wonderful ending. It's a rare gem that can gain momentum like 'Magic in Mistletoe' and leave us wanting more. I hope to see a sequel, but I don't feel it lends itself to one.

This is a keeper!!

[chickory7 · 10/10 · 28 January 2024]

We really enjoyed "Magic in Mistletoe!" The script is great, the leads have excellent chemistry, the acting is great. Paul Campbell really creates a character that is sharp tongued and somewhat prickly but also kind, thoughtful, and sincere. I think this would have been caricature instead of a character in many other actors hands. The script really excels with the flirty dialogue between the leads and the communication between the three friends since childhood. It also excels in not creating bogus conflict or understandable conflict bizarrely over reacted to.

I would love to see Lyndie Greenwood and Paul Campbell make more Hallmark movies together. I would love to see more scripts by Skyy Blair. I'll be looking!