I couldn't help but notice writer Anna White recycled plenty of her previous Lifetime movie 'My Christmas Inn' for 'The Christmas Edition.'

Here is Rob Mayes (Finn),again in Alaska, as an artisan who inherits his father's biz, mixing it up, again, with a driven San Francisco career gal of color on the verge of a promotion, Carly Hughes' Jackie, who lands sideways in a Christmas-happy small town.

Happily, Hughes is a breath of fresh air, and, with the exception of Finn's clutch of fugly sweaters (hello, wardrobe!),this movie is definitely an upgrade.

For one, Jackie, Finn & Co. unite around a real and heartfelt issue-the death of newspapers, specifically community news, a rare commodity in these films.

Jackie and Finn have an easy chemistry. Finn is off-the-beaten-path for a male lead, played with a laid-back touch by Mayes. It works. Most of the supporting characters bring some originality. It makes things flow, like rain in a desert of a stale among these movies.

All in all, it had a more natural vibe: less cardboard, more variety of folk, a few more interesting happenings, rather than the typical 'event' feel. Some thoughtfulness all-around. Even Marie Osmond, as the presumed villainess, packed a little surprise in the end.

One rub, FWIW: if you're set on calling it Alaska, and your cast is diverse, how about including Native Alaskan actors?

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. And 'The Christmas Edition' did have the sort of premise where the execution could have gone either way.

Lifetime's 2020 Christmas film batch, like all their previous years, was pretty hit and miss which was not unexpected when one takes the circumstances into account, though a better standard than 2019's. 'The Christmas Edition' managed to be one of the better ones once it settled fully, despite there being a medium sized gap where there was some uncertainty of whether to continue or not. It also had a more mature theme than most which was appreciated and done quite well.

'The Christmas Edition' isn't perfect. It does start on the slow side and the dialogue is a bit cheesy to begin with. Will agree that the relationship did feel rushed at times, as did some character motivations towards the expectedly too tidy end.

Marie Osmond for my tastes overdoes it in her role, though she does have a character that is difficult to play subtly and dialogue that is not always easy to take seriously.

However, 'The Christmas Edition' is worth seeing for primarily the effervescent performance of Carly Hughes, who really brightens up the screen and makes her character likeable. Rob Mayes also has the likeability and charm factor, he looks comfortable and doesn't take any flaws with his character to extremes. Their chemistry didn't quite ignite straightaway but when it settled it was genuine and charming. Aloma Wright and Emily Alabi are lively support and don't come over as forced.

Furthermore, a great job is done with the Christmas atmosphere, where it does feel like Christmas and in an affectionate way. Some lovely Christmas touches and there are some very sweet, but not sickly, scenes. Was not crazy about the script early on, but it did have a nice mix of funny and poignant lines. The story may be thin but has a warm heart and charm and doesn't take itself too seriously, despite exploring a topical issue (which it handles quite intelligently). It benefits from some nice photography and scenery and the music isn't constant or too drone-like.

Overall, worth watching. 7/10.

I haven't cared for Rob Mayes in other movies - but he did a good nob in this one. Carly Hughes was great. Loved her in American Housewife - didn't know she could sing like that. Need more! The best part was the romance grew over time ... not just a few days. It was a fun escape.

Did anyone else notice - in the VERY beginning of the movie - the directional sign? One of the cities/towns was Garland. Shout out to Christmas Under Wraps - which also took place in a fictional Alaska town. Loved that ...