Just a feel good movie and I love the storyline. I wish Hallmark played it more!!

From the beginning of this movie, I was on the edge of my seat, and not in a good way. The plot was even more ridiculous and unbelievable than 99% of romantic Christmas movies. Don't get me started on how many impossible things happened.One problem was that there wasn't much romance. The movie was far more about the struggles created by Nikki's fame. And it was barely about Christmas except for some of the songs and the dates it was set in.When I watch a Christmas movie, I want heartwarming moments. I welcome tradition and nostalgia. This movie had none of that. I wouldn't even call the ending that heartwarming.I thought the acting was bad. The kids weren't even cute enough to save the movie. Shannon Elizabeth had so many shots of a fake smile plastered on her face. If there was chemistry between her and Steve Byers, it was squeezed in with an eyedropper because the two of them had very little screen time together that was positive rather than negative. Christopher Jacot managed to add some humor despite the fact that he overplayed his character to the point of cliché.There was quite a bit of singing in this movie, far more than typical in this kind of movie. It ate away screen time that could have been spent on building chemistry between the leads. I'm guessing that Shannon Elizabeth did her own singing, in which case that's one plus for her, but I'm really not sure it was her. I found one site that says it was her.

I enjoy Hallmark Xmas movies. Where an average gal can become a Queen yada yada. Always a stretch but such things happen. As for casting, Nikki and Chris have little on screen chemistry. Daughter Sophie shines and the all time star is Nikki's assistant Jason.Sadly this is a story without an ending. Would be different if it was titled Taylor Swift Becomes A Housewife. Chris and Nikki admit they live in two different worlds that totally clash, super star and ex high school jock who still loves visiting the old burger joint.Knowing the two must, in the end, be together the screenwriters decided to punt on the nearly impossible to wit: an ending that sees both worlds co-existing with one another. Instead, boy kisses super star and fade out with not a glimmer of any hope they can make it work without destroying his life or having her give up a lifetime of achievement and dreams.Could there be a 'happy ending'? Yes, with a decent screenplay. I could do without great thought. My ending: Fade-in to NYC TV morning show. Nikki is introduced as new co-host. Nikki greets audience and sends loving message to Chris and kids who live just across the bridge. Nikki sings the first of her daily songs to millions of fans. fade out.

I had no idea who Shannon Elizabeth was. As I watched this movie, she was so full of herself and her acting was so "self aware" ( like a smiling in the mirror all the time effect) that I looked her up. I have never seen her in anything else.The main Dad's daughter was a little brat to me where they thought they wrote her part as a cute kid helping her Dad find love, the actress overplayed it and was obnoxious. I did not find her cute and sweet trying to set up her Dad with "Nicki" the rock star old high school girlfriend. Ugh. Nicki makes speeches about fame, the paparazzi and her life as a famous person and it is so cringe-worthy. All the scenes where she is a big famous person felt so fake and cheesy. The Dad and her do not any chemistry either. The other bit actors felt like they got hired from local theater or were extras. The actor who played the Dad was not bad. I have never seen him again either. I watch lots of Hallmark not so great Holiday movies, but this one was below even that standard.