I have seen so many Christmas films and usually they are subpar or downright cringeworthy so I wasn't expecting much from this. I'd seen this title pop up under the Christmas category when I'd do a search but I always skipped over it. Thank goodness I didn't this time. This is exactly the type of film I have been in search of for the holidays. I am so over these low quality productions they churn out that are the same story over and over but with different actors. The ridiculous storylines and horrendous acting and the over the top events that would never take place in real life are just too awful to endure - I generally don't even try anymore to watch a movie all the way through if it's bad because I know it won't get better. So to say this surprised me and surpassed my expectations is an understatement.

I felt this was a very nice clean story that was very realistic. There was no goofy screechy annoying characters or dumb storyline-just a sweet low key film that was very touching.

The music was very nice and really evoked a "down-home Christmas" vibe. Everyone knew how to act pretty well and the production and cinematography seemed solid. I liked that they used people of color too because most of these Christmas films seem like they only employ white people.

The town this took place in looked like the type of place you'd love to visit. It reminded me of places some of my family members have lived.

Yes it did seem kind of ridiculous that the lead character was mad at this guy all this time for basically being a normal young guy and her continued anger seemed a bit excessive. She should have moved on long ago but I still felt the story was nice. Also I really liked the low key tone of the film as opposed to the usual loud music and loud acting in these types of films.

My only complaint is it seemed to just kind of wrap up and end very abruptly. I was expecting the lead to go out of town and not be able to make it back in time for the concert...then have to find a way to make it up to the lead female. Also thought that there would have been some type of showdown with the one business owner who wanted her property but it just ended with their farm being saved and the two leads most likely being together forever. There really wasn't much tension or problem before everything just resolved itself perfectly.

This obviously didn't win any awards but it still managed to be a nice clean story that would be safe for family viewing. No swearing or sexual inuendos or even kissing.

This movie renewed my faith that there are good clean simple Christmas films out there...unfortunately I'm pry gonna have to wade through a whole bunch of stinkers to find the hidden gems like this one.

This might not be everyone's cup of tea but I enjoyed it and I do recommend it.

Am not giving 'Christmas in the Smokies' a low rating or negative review out of maliciousness or prejudice. Although the story sounded very tried and tested (by a few years after this it was a concept that became done to death) with not much to it, Sarah Lancaster is often watchable and Christmas has always been very special to me and my family. So actually there was some potential in it. Hardly a film doomed from the get go, very few films in existence are like that.

'Christmas in the Smokies' just completely failed to deliver in nearly every area. There are redeeming merits, sadly over-shadowed by the many big flaws. Is it a complete waste of time? No, and it takes a lot for me to call anything that and has done so for quite some time. Some films do have less than promising concepts but actually do manage to execute it in a far more engaging way than one would think. 'Christmas in the Smokies' does not do that.

Lancaster is an appealing lead and is expressive and easy to like as the one halfway interesting character in the whole film. Barry Corbin is decent too.

The film looks quite nice, lovely scenery and well shot.

Everything else however is done rather badly. While the supporting cast are not terrible, nobody stands out as memorable or identifiable. What is the point too of having Jill Wagner in the film and give her practically nothing to work with. The characters are shallow cliches and nothing more, with no real development to them. The central relationship is both underdeveloped and rushed with no conflict or growth, it also lacks spark and at times looks awkward. The music can be intrusive and too schmaltzy sounding and the direction is at best workmanlike.

Regarding the story, there is practically nothing to it. It is very dull due to having a wafer thin story that is over-stretched and does absolutely nothing new with over-familiar material. Add to that a leaden pace and no charm, heart or any discernible tension (everything seemed too neat),and one has a very dull and bland story and film that resolves too easily and obviously.

Overall, not a waste but not recommended. 3/10

An American television drama film; A story set in Tennessee about a woman in danger of losing her family farm to developers, yet the return of her childhood sweetheart may give her new hope. This is a predictable faith-based romance with a well-trodden plot but it has an attractive and competent cast guide the inoffensive, uninspiring mediocre storyline. The music is nice too. It lacks scale in parts where clearly the producers didn't even have the budget for a few hundred extras. The story is swiftly brought to an end with an appalling plot device, but overall it is a warm-hearted, good natured flick.