The Perfect Christmas Present

Simple formula Christmas Movie, acting very good. Showcasing the Windy City was a plus.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW Christmas MOVIES AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!

Tom Jacobs has built a business around helping clients find the perfect gift for their loved ones. When he's hired to find a gift for his friend's girlfriend, he finds himself in a bit of trouble: The more he researches her, the more he likes her.

This film is a little different for the average Hallmark Movie. However I highly recommend this film because it gives you an idea on how to create the perfect gift for someone.

What also makes this film special is the fact the scenes leading up to the conclusion are not what you expect.

In my opinion, the male roles should have been switched, as Sam Page could have played a better embarrassing villain. Very unconvincing character, I don't mean he's not a good actor, he just doesn't feels like he belongs there.

I went into this with low expectations because the premise of a "gift consultant" (known as "Mr. Christmas") being hired by an old frat buddy seemed kind of ridiculous to me. But it turns out there are such people, and some of them make as much as $100,000 a year.

This was a really good Hallmark movie, and a very different one. As another reviewer noted, It was kind of an updated twist on the old Cyrano de Bergerac story.

Sam Page is a Hallmark veteran who's also been in other shows like the Bold Type. He's solid as usual, but I was really impressed by Tara Holt who played Jenny. She was cute, fun, radiant and believably expressed a range of different emotions. I was a little shocked to see that she hasn't had a more successful career. I guess that's just another reminder that show business is a tough business.

I found the growing chemistry and familiarity between Tom and Jenny convincingly depicted and it was quite touching when Jenny said "today was the kind of day I used to have with my dad".

I loved the "real" story of the origin of the 1871 Chicago fire.

The movie also had some great editing (which I can't recall ever noticing in a Hallmark movie before). For example, I like how they switched back-and-forth between the two leads having separate conversations with their friends. It reminded me of a scene from Annie Hall (Involving two separate visits to therapists).

I liked this description during one of Jenny's video chats:

Jenny: "I'm the worst person ever" Meg: "No, you're just in a complicated situation."

There's a rather unbelievable couple of "bros. Before... women" scenes that, while unlikely, include some noble sentiments expressed by Paul. I thought he was a pretty good boyfriend but hey, the heart wants what it wants.

Victoria also (and more believably) comes across as quite noble which, frankly, is refreshing. It's always easier for writers to paint the "wrong ones" as very flawed and deficient people; but here, the "wrong ones" were quite the opposite.

Jenny's gift was truly amazing and extremely thoughtful.

This is the sort of life I could be living if I'd had more of a plan and the ability to see it through. I would love to run the sort of service that Mr Christmas does. Ensuring people get the best Christmas present and letting others take the credit is a good thing.

It helps that the lead is seen in just his boxers and that he has that sultry, sexy Marlon Brando thing going on. I have to say though, that it would be difficult to choose between the two fellas here, as the other one is also quite easy on the eye and not the usual jerky character that we've come to expect.

It's a sweet romance and builds up to a big festive party. Cheerful and lovely.