Kansas City Publicist Darcy, played by the gorgeous and love-able Candace Cameron Bure, is getting a chance to work with a grouchy VP for some much needed good PR.

"I feel so defeated and small."-Darcy

After loosing a publicity award...Darcy decides to put her talents to good use on a charity, Emerald Education Trust.

Darcy loves Christmas and she has a big boisterous family who loves her. She has two good natured brothers, including one who is a teacher along with his wife. They tell her about Emerald Education Trust when she is looking to do some pro-bono work.

"When you have a gift, you don't hide it under a bushel. You shine it where it can do the most good."-Darcy.

Darcy flies in early to meet with the "No" man for Austin, inc. Hoping to change his mind about giving her a chance. Not knowing what he looks like she meets him in the hotel bar and tells him all about himself...referring to him as a bit of a curmudgeon.

"Glen Goodman, vp of communications of Austin, Inc. Local curmudgeon."-Glen

Candace Cameron Bure is as infectious as usual. I think I would watch anything that she is in...She is the best thing on Hallmark. And the humor in the writing was spot on.

"You're just used to charming everyone immediately, that's all."-Emma.

Romantic and lovable, filled with holiday cheer and goodwill.

Enjoyable watch. Nice touches. Well worth watching. There is chemistry between the main actors which comes across naturally, no forced expressions here.

Ok it may not have too many surprises but it is also kinda cute with so many references to the Wizard of Oz. Want of a heart, bravery, oh those red shoes lol. Even worth a second watch to get all those recognised.

'If I Only Had Christmas' to be honest didn't sound anything special on paper. Still saw it anyway as a big fan of many Christmas films, as a fan of the holiday and also because Candace Cameron Bure (one of Hallmark's most popular leading ladies for understandable reasons) has done good work in other things. Also, there are films etc that on paper do sound basic and nothing special, but the film etc manages to make something a lot more significant out of the concept.

Sadly cannot say that for 'If I Only Had Christmas'. It is watchable and there are good things about it, such as the referencing. But there are a lot of shortcomings, it feels undercooked and this is one of those occasions where Bure isn't a redeeming quality (not entirely her fault though here). There are definitely far worse Christmas films out there from the year 'If I Only Had Christmas' was made and in general, but there are also much better on both counts. This is somewhere around average middle.

The good things will be mentioned first. Really liked the affectionate and entertaining references and homaging to 'The Wizard of Oz' (a favourite since childhood). Also really liked the dog, who is so adorable and has an infectious personality.

Warren Christie is a subtle and amiable leading man, while still having confidence, and his character is infinitely more likeable. The supporting cast are solid and make much of material that could have been stronger in all honesty. The production values are very attractive on the eye, particularly the scenery, while there is a pleasantness to the music without being exceptional.

Really do wish that Bure was a redeeming quality as well, as she usually is, but she comes over as both hammy and not particularly comfortable here and the way her character is written is what really brings 'If I Only Had Christmas' down and unbalances it. Her character is very badly written (that's being generous),very self absorbed to an excessive degree and overblown character flaws to the extent that any strengths are hard to spot is a big pet peeve of mine. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of characters in film/television history that are not likeable in a way that's deliberate but they still manage to be interesting and make one feel something emotionally. Bure's character just seemed too one dimensional and don't really grow or develop, and to me it was clear one was supposed to root for her later but the overdone self-absorbed ness and lack of growth made that a failure. The characters in general are sketchy, with only Christie's having anything that was properly worth liking.

Furthermore, the central chemistry lacks spark and plays too much second fiddle to the homaging. The dialogue more often than not is cheesy and stilted, conversations not feeling like everyday conversation, the sentimentality is too much and the story (which was not a particularly grabbing one conceptually in the first place) is very unimaginative, very predictable and too slight which makes the pacing drag badly and the atmosphere bland. Charm and soul are not enough and writing wise it was too much going through the motions. The direction is workmanlike and not much more.

Overall, watchable but pretty average. 5/10.