Il Natale di Belle

I like holiday movies and I like "Bad" movies as most have redeeming qualities. However, this slice of festive fun is neither festive or fun. The story is loosely based on Beauty and The Beast. Sadly, when The Beast isn't a Beast, just a man whose beastly, then it becomes difficult to have the love interest fall for a man, who shouts at her, degrades her, and lashes out at her.

However, this gaping whole in the script isn't the only let down. The acting is below average. Even C Thomas Howell cannot lift the cast... to be truthful he takes it a bit further into the quagmire; his high-pitched effeminate portrayal of the father is cringeworthy. It made me smirk the first time I heard it, but by the end of the film I'd had enough. Which is a shame as I think C Thomas Howell is a pretty decent actor.

I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone.

This one wasn't all that bad as story lines go. But most of these PG holiday girl meets boy TV specials have incessant music accompaniment that over soothes the heart. Unfortunately this one is worse than most. The constant piano/violin in the background mutes the believability of the storyline, and ultimately destroys the climactic scenes because it's incessance is worn thin by then. Music should support the hot scenes, but can't here.

The acting is acceptable, but though I adore Haylie, she could have dropped a few pounds for this one, getting back to her best look, so as to more reasonably match her costar's figure and presence.

Haylie Duff has grown into such a beautiful woman, I really enjoyed her performance in Christmas Belle. I think so many stars are led to believe skinny is that only acceptable size and they struggle like hell to achieve that, and I'm sure a large part of the male population probably like skinny and are responsible for that attitude, I on the other hand appreciate a lady with that nice natural beauty, a bit thick and curvy in the right places, like Haylie Duff. From my point of view, all too often Hollywood have these really beautiful stars like Haylie Duff and they do not produce enough movies while these stars at the peek of beauty! We see so much violence and special effects being used as a substitute for talent. It's like a breath of fresh air to see a sweet love story, as in the movie Christmas Belle, I'm sure I'm not alone in saying, please keep it up! More of the sweet beautiful Haylie Duff!

A fan!

Josh

This movie is terrible... the script, the direction, the plot, THE CONSTANT MUSIC! But I'm ngl I had a fun time watching it.

The story kept my attention, although the script was awkward and stilted. But the music during the ENTIRE movie was so invasive it ruined the movie. The male lead was attractive and Duff was refreshing because she is a normal weight woman, not a stick figure. The setting was beautiful.