2020 was very variable when it came to Lifetime's Christmas films, and there was definitely the sense that the films were made in a rush with not a lot of preparation time. Yet enough of them were far from amateur-hour efforts and were still watchable all things considered. Lifetime just have done a lot better in previous years, although their festive output is very hit and miss it should not be dismissed outright as enough have left me pleasantly surprised.
'Spotlight on Christmas' was though more or less what was expected, which was a watchable enough film with good moments and better than expected acting. But also one that is nothing extraordinary and does nothing new with pretty familiar plot tropes. Lifetime did a lot better than 'Spotlight on Christmas', but also worse than what is a somewhat middling effort for them. Considering the difficult circumstances though, it did make do perhaps.
Am going to start with the good. The best thing about 'Spotlight on Christmas' is the acting. Tori Anderson is a very charming lead and performs with a lot of spirit and sincerity. Lia Frankland is cute without being sickly and a natural in front of the camera. Victor Zinck Jr is not quite as strong in the likeability factor, but he has a natural and engaging presence and never overdoes it or underacts. His chemistry with Anderson is genuine and endears, it also doesn't move too fast while not taking too long.
The film also at least looks professional, with lovely scenery in particular. The music doesn't intrude and doesn't feel overused, also it has a festive sound to it. Too often not the case with Lifetime. The messaging is very honest and doesn't get laid on too thick or feel treacly or sentimental.
However, 'Spotlight on Christmas' is not an all round success sad to say. The story never properly grabbed me, as well as being very predictable it is very thin on the ground and drags a lot from too much stretched padding and an uncertain feel most of the time. There isn't enough of an emotional core or charm which made the film come over as bland and lacking in substance too. The direction is competent in some parts but is disorganised and hesitant in others.
Furthermore, the script on the most part is too verbose and the flow is very stilted, had a feeling of it being written in haste and that it had not been proof read. The conflict completely lacks tension and it didn't actually feel like there was much at stake with the indifferent and too hasty way it's written in. A lot of ingredients in the story that are done very little with. Janet Kidder is a bit too hammy for my tastes, especially in the early portions.
Overall, watchable if not great. 5/10.
Spotlight on Christmas
2020
Action / Drama / Romance
Spotlight on Christmas
2020
Action / Drama / Romance
Keywords: christmashometownfamous actor
Plot summary
Movie star Olivia O'Hara looks like she will have a bittersweet Christmas. The third movie in a successful superhero franchise in which she stars will be released on Christmas Day, but she wants to return to what she trained for, namely the classics and more taxing dramatic fare. But what she is most concerned about this Christmas season is avoiding reporters and the paparazzi who only seem interested in her public humiliation surrounding the breakup with her rock star now ex-fiancé, Ryan Wrangler, who broke up with her via text. She can admit in hindsight that their relationship was heading in the direction of a split in Ryan now seeming more concerned about his fame than about her. To avoid the publicity, for the first time since she became famous, Liv heads home to small town Happy Valley, Colorado unannounced to spend Christmas with her family. Not returning before now was as much about lack of time as it was about the painful memories of her long deceased father, Michael O'Hara, the basketball coach at her alma mater, Eagle Heights High. In Happy Valley, she runs into an old high school classmate, one of her father's star basketball players Casey Rawlins, who now teaches English at Eagle Heights. Liv will find that she can return home as she reconnects with the school through its annual dramatic Christmas Eve production, there where she became inspired to become an actress, and with Casey, he an unspoken crush when they were students together. But as Liv and Casey start to fall for each other, a future for them could be placed in jeopardy if the paparazzi finds her, they who could manufacture any story they want with the right photograph, that is unless Liv can provide the truth to combat that which is made up.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Christmas in the spotlight
Started off very promisingly but fizzled in the last half.
This started off strongly with the great casting of Tori Anderson as a believable A-list movie star. I also liked the actress that played her little half sister, though I was at first confused about the family dynamics. I found Victor Zinck just OK as the hometown love interest and was underwhelmed by the chemistry. I am apparently in the minority on this issue.
Unfortunately, It got slower and more boring as the movie went on. Interestingly I noted a small cameo by one of my favorite hallmark actresses at the beginning of the movie, Kimberly Sustad. Had she continued contribution in the role of the conflicted paparazzo, it might have added a needed spark to one of the dull subplots. Also noted that it was directed by another favorite, Ali Liebert. Good for her and better luck next time. I would like to see more of Tori Anderson in these Hallmark-type movies.
OK
This is a pretty common plot in general. Jilted Hollywood starlet flees the paparazzi and doesn't quite succeed. Meanwhile she builds a new relationship which is threatened by public exposure. The conflict is just as over overused. Likewise the ending.
What appealed to me was the sweet woman, Olivia, whose first impulse is to give of herself to others. This generous heart shines through even after the conflict is introduced. I didn't think one big thing she did was consistent with her character, but what that is gives away a spoiler.
Tori Anderson and Victor Zinck Jr. are fair to average actors. This was also reflected in that they had little chemistry. They just weren't quite natural in their roles.
There isn't anything special, no real highs or lows, but it's OK and will appeal more to anyone who hasn't inundated themselves with dozens of Christmas movies already this season.