I've watched Christmas light competitions every Christmas and I have noticed more and more are automated with club lights and music than Christmas time, so I liked the concept of the movie fighting for traditional lights and set ups over commercialized ones. The b story with the business partner was distracting. Maybe because I watched it in the background, but I found the scenes awkward and didn't fit with the story. I hated the "friend" and they didn't make her likeable or redeemable. I liked the chemistry between the leads and the families but that b story really got to me and lowered my rating of the movie.

"Anybody can string a bunch of lights and enter a computer code. Where is the soul in that?"-Frank I feel exactly the same way about those computerized light displays with their mega trees and pixels...boring! Give me displays with meaning, interest, history, personality any day.

"That spark of joy in their eyes. All because of something we've created."-Frank

"They were a great partnership."-Arlene "We brought out the best in each other."-Bill

Two families are brought together to compete in a town Christmas light competition and this year the stakes are higher, a $50,000 cash prize. The patriarchs, Bill and Frank, of two families used to run a business together until Frank accused Bill of putting quantity over quality. Bill was so offended he dissolved the partnership immediately and the two started their own businesses. Their kids, including Grace and Tony, used to be friends but have become strangers. With there families pitted against each other, their initial amicable reunion turns contentious.

Bill expanded his business and may have bitten off more than he can chew, making this year's competition monetary reward even more important. The competition is important for Frank as he hasn't competed for the last seven years and feels like he has a lot to prove.

Meanwhile, Grace and Tony keep being drawn together...and discover their moms have secretly maintained their friendship this whole time...meeting clandestinely and taking an annual trip together. Inspired by their moms' secret relationship, Tony volunteers to put his MBA to work reviewing Bill's financials secretly.

Frank confesses to Tony how much he gets into his head and how that prevents him from being able to execute his plans.

"A real partner will value all of your opinions. Even if sometimes it may be wrong."-Bill

"Mutual embarrassment kind of tears down the walls."-Tony.

Expectations were mixed here for 'Making Spirits Bright'. Taylor Cole has always been inconsistent for me, in some roles she is charming, in others she's too icy. Am less familiar with Carlo Marks, but what has been seen of him has been pretty amiable if not mind-blowing. Was a bit mixed on the premise, with it not being novel territory but did like that it did try to do something different with the feuding. Kind of like Romeo and Juliet or Hatfields and McCoys set at Christmas.

'Making Spirits Bright' as far as the 2021 Hallmark Christmas films go is somewhere around middle of the pack. Meaning that it's watchable and inoffensive but also unexceptional and nothing out of the ordinary, with some good things but also some things that came off a bit ehh. Nothing is inherently awful here, it's never on the same level of for example Paul Greene's truly awful character in 'Christmas CEO', but not an awful lot amazed at the same time.

There are good things here. Cole does not come over as an ice queen and is instead quite engaging, with her character not being too perfect or having exaggerated flaws. Marks is also appealing, looking relaxed and not overplaying or under-acting. Their chemistry, while low key, is sweet, natural and is definitely there, the change not being too fast as it could easily have been with this type of story.

It looks good, some lovely scenery here as usual and loved the lights, which reminded me fondly of the annual Christmas parade that went through our town for charity. The music is pleasantly festive and the placement is just about right. Some of the supporting cast are solid, primarily the parents. Did like the sister relationship, which had a lot of heart.

Having said all of this, the supporting cast did vary. Was also not a fan of the friend character, who came over as obnoxious and over-zealous. The dialogue generally could have been tighter and been more natural. The cheese and schmaltz can be a little much. The story has charming and touching moments, but generally felt too low key and safe with not an awful lot new. The business subplot was too much of a filler distraction that didn't have that much to it.

Overall, just like my expectations mixed feelings here. 5/10.