Sadly, only the main character, Gwyneth, was played by an actor with any real chops. How is it that a supposedly faith-based production company can't even get Christians right? Nearly every Christian in the film was portrayed as a one-dimensional cardboard cutout of the secular stereotype. These characters had no humor. They were judgemental and flat out boring. They all came across very cultish. As one who came to Christ as an adult, I can honestly say it may never have happened if the Christians I'd encountered were like those portrayed here.
36 Reviews
Insane movie
samuel_adams-2831918 December 2018
One of those movies where you can't help but wonder what the people who made it were thinking. Reads like a satire of christianity, but it's too on the nose. Paul is an absolute weenie. Chabert is delightful, and her character is the only one that seems at all human.
Dull and mind numbingly bad
mdilday9427 November 2018
I am a Baptist Christian, but I know for a fact that just because it's a Christian movie doesn't mean it's a good movie. The writing is bad, the acting is painfully awful, the humor is forced and unfunny,the characters are shallow and forgettable and it's like watching a bad parody of a Christian film and lastly it's boring. I couldn't watch it all, that's how bad it was. Oh did I mention that the main character is dull and loony(in a bad way). Skip this movie and watch a good Christian film like Ten Commandments or Nativity Story.
Can't even market a website subtly, let alone depict anything in the way of believable intimacy
StevePulaski27 January 2015
Christian Mingle: The Movie is so brazenly artificial and inauthentic that it almost begs to be ignored; not reviewed, not analyzed, and not even discussed, just quietly, humbly passed by as other films nudge it out of the limelight and into obscurity. Criticized in the past were films like Jobs and The LEGO Movie, for allegedly being nothing more than product placement for Apple and LEGO, respectively, despite bearing actual story lines, characters, and thematic depth; on the other hand, Christian Mingle: The Movie is a film so deeply-rooted in insincerity, it disrespects its actors by giving them shallow human characters with not a shred of humanity to be found all in the means of promoting an already ubiquitous dating website. Lord have some mercy.
The film focuses on Gwyneth Hayden (Lacey Chabert), a well-off woman who has worked her way to the top of the corporate ladder, and rather showing the more interesting story at hand here - Gwyneth's clear business success in what looks to be a male-dominated feel - we explore her dating life, or lack thereof. Gwyneth fears the clock is ticking faster and faster, as she's approaching middle-age and spends holiday after holiday alone, only meriting a handful of poor, short-term relationships in her life. After catching its cloying and persistent ads on Television, Gwyneth, despite being a non-practicing Christian, with little knowledge of The Bible and the story of Jesus Christ, signs up for the dating website Christian Mingle, where devout Christians can meet like-minded believers and hopefully find happiness on their way to eternal bliss.
In an act contributing to the new era of "click, meet, marry, die, done," so coined by Gwyneth herself, Gwyneth agrees to meet Paul Wood (Jonathan Patrick Moore), a loyal, good-natured Christian man who clings to his beliefs with his clean and equally good-natured family. Gwyneth admires Paul's niceness and genuine charisma, leading her to try and put on a Christian act to fool Paul and his family that she is a practicing Christian. Gwyneth's methods are appallingly, obviously fake, but Paul's vision seems to be too clouded by the glow of his halo to notice. The two carry out a picturesque relationship together, so long as the conversation steers away from anything remotely biblical, or else Gwyneth turns into a babbling, tongue-tied idiot.
It's impossible to appreciate Gwyneth and Paul as people because they never emerge as more than anything but ridiculous, cardboard cutouts for the length of the entire film. Writer/director Corbin Bernsen seems keen on making this film as cloyingly fake as possible, never offering any sort of real conversation between these characters nor allowing them to grow to be more than wooden caricatures programmed to spout perfunctory dialog and unsubtle website promotions. The only thing more miserable than the romanticism in the film is the abundance of corny jokes, which are so painfully unfunny I can't bring myself to reiterate their stupidity in my review. The less said about them, the better.
There's not an ounce of sincerity in the way the dramatic scenes of the film are handed; typical for low-budget, independent Christian films, there's always overly obvious orchestration or explosive Christian rock thrown in to assure you laugh and smile at the right times and cry at the appropriate moments. Christian Mingle functions with the latter, throwing in catchy but terribly overwrought and unsubtle Christian rock ballads that do nothing but make an already fake, insincere film more phony and insincere.
To those who think the love in Christian Mingle: The Movie depicts anything close to the kind of love or passion found in real life, I got news for you, it can barely market a dating website in a believable manner, let alone begin to understand or depict anything in the way of genuine intimacy.
Starring: Lacey Chabert and Jonathan Patrick Moore. Directed by: Corbin Bernsen.
The film focuses on Gwyneth Hayden (Lacey Chabert), a well-off woman who has worked her way to the top of the corporate ladder, and rather showing the more interesting story at hand here - Gwyneth's clear business success in what looks to be a male-dominated feel - we explore her dating life, or lack thereof. Gwyneth fears the clock is ticking faster and faster, as she's approaching middle-age and spends holiday after holiday alone, only meriting a handful of poor, short-term relationships in her life. After catching its cloying and persistent ads on Television, Gwyneth, despite being a non-practicing Christian, with little knowledge of The Bible and the story of Jesus Christ, signs up for the dating website Christian Mingle, where devout Christians can meet like-minded believers and hopefully find happiness on their way to eternal bliss.
In an act contributing to the new era of "click, meet, marry, die, done," so coined by Gwyneth herself, Gwyneth agrees to meet Paul Wood (Jonathan Patrick Moore), a loyal, good-natured Christian man who clings to his beliefs with his clean and equally good-natured family. Gwyneth admires Paul's niceness and genuine charisma, leading her to try and put on a Christian act to fool Paul and his family that she is a practicing Christian. Gwyneth's methods are appallingly, obviously fake, but Paul's vision seems to be too clouded by the glow of his halo to notice. The two carry out a picturesque relationship together, so long as the conversation steers away from anything remotely biblical, or else Gwyneth turns into a babbling, tongue-tied idiot.
It's impossible to appreciate Gwyneth and Paul as people because they never emerge as more than anything but ridiculous, cardboard cutouts for the length of the entire film. Writer/director Corbin Bernsen seems keen on making this film as cloyingly fake as possible, never offering any sort of real conversation between these characters nor allowing them to grow to be more than wooden caricatures programmed to spout perfunctory dialog and unsubtle website promotions. The only thing more miserable than the romanticism in the film is the abundance of corny jokes, which are so painfully unfunny I can't bring myself to reiterate their stupidity in my review. The less said about them, the better.
There's not an ounce of sincerity in the way the dramatic scenes of the film are handed; typical for low-budget, independent Christian films, there's always overly obvious orchestration or explosive Christian rock thrown in to assure you laugh and smile at the right times and cry at the appropriate moments. Christian Mingle functions with the latter, throwing in catchy but terribly overwrought and unsubtle Christian rock ballads that do nothing but make an already fake, insincere film more phony and insincere.
To those who think the love in Christian Mingle: The Movie depicts anything close to the kind of love or passion found in real life, I got news for you, it can barely market a dating website in a believable manner, let alone begin to understand or depict anything in the way of genuine intimacy.
Starring: Lacey Chabert and Jonathan Patrick Moore. Directed by: Corbin Bernsen.
Offensive, Anti-Christian and Racist
epiexoto26 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
How can I explain how bad this movie is? The entire time I am hoping that Gwenyth will meet a fabulous guy as well as find Christ. And yes, it is possible! It is also possible to be a good person when you are not a "believer" or a certain type of Christian. I could not believe how judgmental all of the Christians depicted in this movie were toward Gwenyth. Instead of welcoming her to the beginning of her journey with Christ, they were testing her knowledge of bible verses, judging her clothes, and demanding she pray on command. As a Christian (Catholic) I was shocked at how rude, unwelcoming, and elitist they all were to her. That is not how Jesus would treat anyone, let alone someone who seeks Him and wants to grow closer to Him.
When Paul "caught" Gwenyth in her slight exaggeration on her level of faith, he confronted her with no compassion or understanding. Why didn't he listen to her, and offer to support her search for Jesus? Gwenyth even asked Paul for his help, but he was too selfish, prideful, and judgmental to help. What a jerk! I was hoping she wouldn't end up with him, but would continue on her journey toward Christ without Paul.
And the racist stereotypes of the Mexicans! The stereotypical costumes, bad accents, and Taco Bell set design was so distracting and unnecessary! Would it really be that much time/money to take a trip to Mexico and get some accurate specifications for a village down there? What a missed opportunity to show the reality of what they need in Mexico, possibly calling someone watching to take a mission down there one day (which I have, by the way, and it is nothing like what was portrayed).
Even Gwenyth's work friend, Pam, who I at first thought was the most realistic depiction of a true Christian (spoiler alert! She's a Christian too!) ended up being judgemental too! When Gwenyth was telling her about how she was beginning to feel closer to Christ, she said, "Sweetie, you are not there yet." Who is Pam to judge anyone's journey? And isn't life about this journey? Are any of us ever really "there" until we get to Heaven? Sheesh!
The only shining light was Lacey Chabert's performance. She is a great actor. I felt sorry for her to be stuck with such a poor script with such a despicable leading man.
If this shows you anything, it's that the guys on Christian Mingle are all pompous, judgemental, mama's boys. Not all Christian guys are like that! Maybe try a different website. And DEFINITELY watch a different movie while you are at it!
When Paul "caught" Gwenyth in her slight exaggeration on her level of faith, he confronted her with no compassion or understanding. Why didn't he listen to her, and offer to support her search for Jesus? Gwenyth even asked Paul for his help, but he was too selfish, prideful, and judgmental to help. What a jerk! I was hoping she wouldn't end up with him, but would continue on her journey toward Christ without Paul.
And the racist stereotypes of the Mexicans! The stereotypical costumes, bad accents, and Taco Bell set design was so distracting and unnecessary! Would it really be that much time/money to take a trip to Mexico and get some accurate specifications for a village down there? What a missed opportunity to show the reality of what they need in Mexico, possibly calling someone watching to take a mission down there one day (which I have, by the way, and it is nothing like what was portrayed).
Even Gwenyth's work friend, Pam, who I at first thought was the most realistic depiction of a true Christian (spoiler alert! She's a Christian too!) ended up being judgemental too! When Gwenyth was telling her about how she was beginning to feel closer to Christ, she said, "Sweetie, you are not there yet." Who is Pam to judge anyone's journey? And isn't life about this journey? Are any of us ever really "there" until we get to Heaven? Sheesh!
The only shining light was Lacey Chabert's performance. She is a great actor. I felt sorry for her to be stuck with such a poor script with such a despicable leading man.
If this shows you anything, it's that the guys on Christian Mingle are all pompous, judgemental, mama's boys. Not all Christian guys are like that! Maybe try a different website. And DEFINITELY watch a different movie while you are at it!
Oh dear god.... pun intended
davispittman18 July 2018
The only reason I watched this cringe fest was because I made a deal that I'd watch this if my friend watched a horror movie. I knew going into it that it would be bad, but wow just in the first 10 minutes it was worse than I thought. The plot revolves around Lacey Chabert's character and Jonathan Patrick Moore's character. Chabert's character is desperate to find "mr. right", so she goes onto the religious dating site, Christian Mingle. Now is she a Christian? No ofcourse not... and that's how we get our movie. This movie literally does everything wrong, like I'm just wondering who thought this was a good idea.... The acting is atrocious, Chabert has a few scenes where I'm reminded that she's actually a decent actress, but my god she just has no material to work with. The dialogue is soooo cringeworthy, there were many times I just felt so emberrased for the actors involved. They try to be funny with the fact that Chabert isn't a Christian, and she has to pretend to be one around his family... but it's not funny at all. The "comedic" moments are just flat out cringe inducing, instead of being genuinely funny. And then when you're not cringing, you're just being preached at. 1/10, shockingly bad.
At least get your scripture references correct...
ashleyannethornhill5 June 2016
I sat down to watch this movie thinking it would be a little cheesy, but overall produce a feel good emotion by the end of it. However, throughout the entire movie I cringed at how awkward they made Christianity seem to the public eye. I felt that Christians were portrayed as awkward and exclusive in this movie. The amount of times the family said "Praise God" was embarrassing. Also, the final straw of my aversion toward this movie came during the mission trip scene when the scripture in James is misquoted. James 1:7- 8 is the incorrect passage, it should be James 1:2-3. I will never suggest this movie to anyone unless they want to spend two hours mocking the screen.
A borderline toxic feature length commercial...
ethal-1061120 June 2019
This 100 minute advertisement/Christian propaganda film seems to mainly focus on the message that "When a woman says DON'T do something, she secretly wants you to do it! Because Christian women are property and consent is just a fun game!"
Overall cute, but third act is a little shaky.
tdewey-49 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Christian Mingle: The Movie is basically a cute-meet rom-com. Gwyneth (Lacey Chabert) is feed up with dating and ends up signing up to the eponymous website despite the fact she's not an evangelical Christian.
She ends up meeting Paul (Jonathan Patrick Moore) and what follows is a series of small calamities as she dives into the deep-end of a religious community of which she knows nothing. There are several funny fish out of water moments.
At the same time her relationship with Paul is blossoming, she's having trouble at work, her boss Douglas (the wonderful Stephen Tobolwsky) and the firm has just been hired by Donny De Bona (John O'Hurly) to come up with an ad campaign for a new fake baldness cure. Her assistant at the firm Pam (Saidah Arrika Ekulona)is the only one who knows about her "double-life" on ChristianMingle at the firm, and strongly disapproves.
As happens in this type of movie, Paul and his family (David Keith, Morgan Fairchild) discover that Gwyneth has been fakin' her evangelical Christianity. Paul drops her like a hot potato and Gwyneth ends up joining a church and going on her own spiritual journey.
This leads to the faltering third act: there are two big problems with the third act: there is a conversation with God sequence that just seems unnecessary but even the conversation with God sequence would have been acceptable, if not for the worst moment in the movie, which blows up a lot of good will that Lacey Chabert has built with the audience as Gwyneth. Right before the final scene of the movie Gwyneth receives a letter from a young Mexican girl she helped mid-way through the movie, and the letter is read as a voice-over in a very strange and stilted accent. The movie ends with Paul and Gwyneth back together (of course) and with her now an English teacher in Mexico.
Ms. Chabert is as lovely and likable as always, quite funny at moments and believable, aside from the unnecessary conversation with God sequence. Mr. Moore is a little too stiff, but that may in part be because his character was written fairly stiff.
It's a movie I want to like more but the third act problems are too distracting. Still I give it a 7 due to Ms. Chabert's charming performance, and the presence of some great character actors.
She ends up meeting Paul (Jonathan Patrick Moore) and what follows is a series of small calamities as she dives into the deep-end of a religious community of which she knows nothing. There are several funny fish out of water moments.
At the same time her relationship with Paul is blossoming, she's having trouble at work, her boss Douglas (the wonderful Stephen Tobolwsky) and the firm has just been hired by Donny De Bona (John O'Hurly) to come up with an ad campaign for a new fake baldness cure. Her assistant at the firm Pam (Saidah Arrika Ekulona)is the only one who knows about her "double-life" on ChristianMingle at the firm, and strongly disapproves.
As happens in this type of movie, Paul and his family (David Keith, Morgan Fairchild) discover that Gwyneth has been fakin' her evangelical Christianity. Paul drops her like a hot potato and Gwyneth ends up joining a church and going on her own spiritual journey.
This leads to the faltering third act: there are two big problems with the third act: there is a conversation with God sequence that just seems unnecessary but even the conversation with God sequence would have been acceptable, if not for the worst moment in the movie, which blows up a lot of good will that Lacey Chabert has built with the audience as Gwyneth. Right before the final scene of the movie Gwyneth receives a letter from a young Mexican girl she helped mid-way through the movie, and the letter is read as a voice-over in a very strange and stilted accent. The movie ends with Paul and Gwyneth back together (of course) and with her now an English teacher in Mexico.
Ms. Chabert is as lovely and likable as always, quite funny at moments and believable, aside from the unnecessary conversation with God sequence. Mr. Moore is a little too stiff, but that may in part be because his character was written fairly stiff.
It's a movie I want to like more but the third act problems are too distracting. Still I give it a 7 due to Ms. Chabert's charming performance, and the presence of some great character actors.
Watch this film if you don't enjoy watching humanity.
bpalmer1185 September 2018
I decided to watch this movie as a joke. Sometimes going into a movie knowing it's bad will sometimes help brace for the train wreck. But no foreknowledge of this film could prepare you for how bad it is. On the nose dialogue. No empathy for any characters. Forced changed. Forced plot. Even the camera work is amateur.
The best types of films are supposed to make you forget you're watching a film. Sadly, for Christian Mingle, you're constantly reminded you're watching a movie. A bad one.
The best types of films are supposed to make you forget you're watching a film. Sadly, for Christian Mingle, you're constantly reminded you're watching a movie. A bad one.
Definitely worth the laugh.
sarahmousseau18 October 2018
If you and your friends are bored and need a movie to make fun of on a Friday night, this is the film for you. You'll have such a fun time making fun of the pathetic story, terrible dialogue, and awful acting. 10/10 would recommend.
Surprisingly good movie!
dontloveinvain11 March 2023
I heard about this movie many years ago, but since I'm not into romantic movies, I've never had any desire to watch it. But on one boring Saturday afternoon, I decided to see what it was all about. Even though they exaggerated how true Christians actually behave, I did find it a very interesting and sometimes funny movie.
Whether you are "religious" or not, it greatly matters that you must be true to yourself and not pretend to be someone that you're not.
From my own personal experience as a Believer,I know sometimes you have to hit rock bottom and get to a low place to actually realize what was really missing or needed to change in your life.
Whether you are "religious" or not, it greatly matters that you must be true to yourself and not pretend to be someone that you're not.
From my own personal experience as a Believer,I know sometimes you have to hit rock bottom and get to a low place to actually realize what was really missing or needed to change in your life.
I Wanted Paul to be Shot (With a blue pill Gun)
asmarie21 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
First of all,,, this website sucks. I typed everything and it was deleted. I will be writing a review later on. Secondly, I don't want to bash this movie completely because I loved Gweneth but frankly she can do so much better than that jerk face of a guy Paul. She was trying to get away from her normal type of guy but she went right into another male related trap. Paul was a two faced, narcissistic jerk who only cared about himself. He literally told her that he never wanted to see her again. And them as soon as he breaks up with his precious girlfriend that he thought was so much better than Gwen, he tries to be all romantic and show up in freaking Mexico. Like no Paul. You can't just do that. You caused days and weeks and maybe months of agony for her. she had to leave the country she was so upset. And then you think you can just get her back? Well in real life that would not happen. It's not that easy Paul. You suck Paul. If I were Gweneth you know where you would be? Back in America crying with your ruined reputation to you mama and papa that are jerk faces as well.
0/10 would not recommend >:[
0/10 would not recommend >:[
Worst depiction of how Christians are.
terry-heffron8223 September 2018
If you watch strictly as romance movie, 5 stars
Jackbv12324 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I spent the whole movie trying to figure out if this movie was an intentional parody of Christians or a movie that would have a Christian message at the end. I decided that it very well may be a parody, possibly a parody of Christian movies. That surprises me given the people who are supposed to be Christians associated with the film. I will say it avoided foul language (note the use of "dung" late in the film). The characters who were supposed to play as Christians seemed to be self-righteous, judgmental and hypocritical with the exception of Paul and maybe Pam. On the mission trip, the Americans did very little that was beneficial long term for the town, and there was one scene where they were supposedly working, but it seemed pretty obvious that they were only moving things (mostly tires) around. Christians were expected to quote or recognize verses that aren't well known by memory for a lot of actual Christians. Gwen spent most of her Bible reading in the Old Testament which is not where you find the clearest explanations of the Christian message. In fact, through the whole movie, I was waiting for the central Christian message and it only appeared once in a voice over by Gwen and if you "blinked" you missed it. At one point, someone (I think Pam) says to Gwen "you have a lot of work to do" which is the opposite of the Christian message. *Spoilers* Gwen's "drift-wood" moment happened quickly, but almost invisibly - it wasn't totally clear how it happened. All of a sudden she was a teacher in Mexico and next thing you know Paul shows up. In this sense, the movie really seemed to end up being like a Hallmark romance movie rather than a message movie. Other than Chabert and a couple of other actors, the "acting" was shallow and bad. Even Chabert had some poor moments as far as acting. So take this movie in whatever way you think is appropriate, but personally, I think the movie was schizophrenic - I don't even think it knew what it was. If you watched it as solely a romance movie, and ignored anything other than that, it might be worth 5 or 6 stars. There was some comedy with the attempts to market the hair-growth pills.
Lacey Chabert can't save a mess of a film
studioAT5 December 2019
Lacey Chabert does seem to pop up in an awful lot of these Christmas TV films.
This one is well intentioned, designed maybe to get people to reassess the role that the Christian element of the season features in their Christmas, but it's so heavy handed with the message that it's off putting.
Not great unfortunately.
This one is well intentioned, designed maybe to get people to reassess the role that the Christian element of the season features in their Christmas, but it's so heavy handed with the message that it's off putting.
Not great unfortunately.
Phony Portrayal of Christians
buddy-8118522 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This movie portrayed Christians as legalistic and hypocritical. When in the movie does anyone really witness for Christ? What about the office Christian? Why didn't she try and witness about Jesus? All the characters behave so phony and the main character Gweneth is always under some kind of scrutiny as to whether or not she knows Bible scriptures. Not all Christians have to know each chapter and verse in the Bible to prove they are Christians. Neither does attending a church mean that you know Jesus better than someone else. She entered the dating website under the pretext of being a Christian, but this decision pales in comparison to the terrible way she is judged by Paul's family and the blond holier-than-though Cal (sp?). This movie did not show genuine love, kindness, patience. Instead of being angry at Gwen, why didn't Paul minister and witness to her about his love for Christ. Why couldn't he be the one to lead her to the Lord? I hated this movie. The script was awful, the characters are not believable, and Jesus was not represented for who He really is and for the enormous sacrifice He made.
The sort of movie an atheist would make if he wanted to mock Christians
Reaper9 November 2018
My first impression is, "how far has Lacey Chabert fallen!?" before I realize that she didn't fall much, because she was never really much of a star.
My second impression is, "how many platitudes, stock characters, and predictable 'twists' can one movie hold?"
My third impression was "I wonder if the male lead has a bunch of women dismembered and stashed in a freezer in his basement, because he looks like the type who would." Not to mention the fact that I think he was wearing a rug, in a movie that pretends to be all about being (or becoming) true to oneself
My fourth impression was that if an atheist wanted to make a movie to mock Christians, he'd probably end up with something that looks and sounds like Christian Mingle: The Movie.
My fifth impression is that if I were a Christian, I'd resent the heck out of this. The filmmakers seemed to feel that any sort of crap -- predictable plot, D-list stars, idiotic dialogue -- was perfectly fine, as long as they put out a theologically correct message.
My second impression is, "how many platitudes, stock characters, and predictable 'twists' can one movie hold?"
My third impression was "I wonder if the male lead has a bunch of women dismembered and stashed in a freezer in his basement, because he looks like the type who would." Not to mention the fact that I think he was wearing a rug, in a movie that pretends to be all about being (or becoming) true to oneself
My fourth impression was that if an atheist wanted to make a movie to mock Christians, he'd probably end up with something that looks and sounds like Christian Mingle: The Movie.
My fifth impression is that if I were a Christian, I'd resent the heck out of this. The filmmakers seemed to feel that any sort of crap -- predictable plot, D-list stars, idiotic dialogue -- was perfectly fine, as long as they put out a theologically correct message.
There's No Santa In This Christmas Tale - You'll Have To Settle For God Instead.
P3n-E-W1s329 November 2022
Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Christmas Mingle.
Story: 1.00/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.50/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2
Total 6/10
First thing first: This movie is not a Christmas romance. The film was originally titled Christian Mingle after the dating website that the story depicts. The ending feels rewritten to tie in with the Goodwill Season. That said, the story is your pretty basic boy meets girl tale; they fall in love, and trouble ensues, but a happy ending is always on the cards. The difference between this and all similar romances is the inclusion of God and Christianity. Should you not be religious, you may find the biblical stuff a tad heavy, especially in the cringeworthy bible reading segments; this is because the lead female character, Gwyneth, is not a committed Christian. She was born into Christianity but doesn't practise, so she has to rely on the book Christianity for Dummies to carry her through her adventures in finding God and Love. After seeing the television advert for Christian Mingle, she decides the couples all look blissfully happy and opts to give it a go. Big G must have been smiling down on her. Her first date through the site is with the man of her dreams. But not being a true bible basher, she stumbles along her path to love and happiness, as her beau's family suspects the truth.
Corbin Bernsen isn't too terrible a writer, though the subject matter gets a tad sticky and unrealistic in places. His characterisations aren't great. The principal characters are solid; however, the background cast appears a tad flat. His directorial skills are in a similar vein of averageness. There are a few missed opportunities to add more engagement for the viewer. Happily, he captures the heart-warming aspect of the romantic movie, even if the light-heartedness misses in a few areas. Another letdown was the cast. Lacey Chabert is her usual perky, delightful self and carries the movie. Paul Wood as her love interest is okay. Sadly, it's the seasoned performers who fail to entertain. I love Stephen Tobolowsky, but in this story, his character is risible. Morgan Fairchild comes across like a cardboard cut-out. And David Keith appears to have taken the Dad role so he could strum the guitar and sing.
I'd say that Christmas - Christian Mingle is a one-time-only watch, and only then if you don't mind the religious slant.
Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.
Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.
Story: 1.00/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.50/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2
Total 6/10
First thing first: This movie is not a Christmas romance. The film was originally titled Christian Mingle after the dating website that the story depicts. The ending feels rewritten to tie in with the Goodwill Season. That said, the story is your pretty basic boy meets girl tale; they fall in love, and trouble ensues, but a happy ending is always on the cards. The difference between this and all similar romances is the inclusion of God and Christianity. Should you not be religious, you may find the biblical stuff a tad heavy, especially in the cringeworthy bible reading segments; this is because the lead female character, Gwyneth, is not a committed Christian. She was born into Christianity but doesn't practise, so she has to rely on the book Christianity for Dummies to carry her through her adventures in finding God and Love. After seeing the television advert for Christian Mingle, she decides the couples all look blissfully happy and opts to give it a go. Big G must have been smiling down on her. Her first date through the site is with the man of her dreams. But not being a true bible basher, she stumbles along her path to love and happiness, as her beau's family suspects the truth.
Corbin Bernsen isn't too terrible a writer, though the subject matter gets a tad sticky and unrealistic in places. His characterisations aren't great. The principal characters are solid; however, the background cast appears a tad flat. His directorial skills are in a similar vein of averageness. There are a few missed opportunities to add more engagement for the viewer. Happily, he captures the heart-warming aspect of the romantic movie, even if the light-heartedness misses in a few areas. Another letdown was the cast. Lacey Chabert is her usual perky, delightful self and carries the movie. Paul Wood as her love interest is okay. Sadly, it's the seasoned performers who fail to entertain. I love Stephen Tobolowsky, but in this story, his character is risible. Morgan Fairchild comes across like a cardboard cut-out. And David Keith appears to have taken the Dad role so he could strum the guitar and sing.
I'd say that Christmas - Christian Mingle is a one-time-only watch, and only then if you don't mind the religious slant.
Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.
Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.
God cares about your dating life, not a village in Mexico?
jhester96142 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I only watch this because of the memes, and oh boy. I've never seen a greater disconnect from reality, God literally helps Gretchen Wiener and some dude who can't even handle the blandest sushi get together through the power of bible study and teaching children in other countries to assimilate to American Christianity...
Also, it's blatant lies about how dating works, why stay with a guy who'd break up with you IN ANOTHER COUNTRY and then come back later after getting bored with another girl and finds you in Mexico talking to kids who's lives have been forever changed after a disaster and he decides "yee, you christian enough now."
Hallmark movies aren't great, but this was TERRIBLE. She also hates bald people and thinks life without hair is God's plan but also chases after a guy in a relationship because he's the first person she met on a dating website...
Also, it's blatant lies about how dating works, why stay with a guy who'd break up with you IN ANOTHER COUNTRY and then come back later after getting bored with another girl and finds you in Mexico talking to kids who's lives have been forever changed after a disaster and he decides "yee, you christian enough now."
Hallmark movies aren't great, but this was TERRIBLE. She also hates bald people and thinks life without hair is God's plan but also chases after a guy in a relationship because he's the first person she met on a dating website...
Funny and Good if judged on a Hallmark romance scale
rebekahrox22 June 2016
I enjoyed this rom-com very much. I loved the angle of a non-Christian pretending to be an evangelical to catch a Christian guy. Lot's of Laughs. It gently skewers a few foibles of the Christian culture while still being respectful and pro-Christian. Lacey Chabert did a charming job and was quite funny in places. The guy was pretty much a non- entity, unfortunately. This movie has gotten a lot of flack from both Christians and non-Christians. Either Christians not able to laugh at themselves, and non-Christians taking it way too seriously. This is not some kind of manifesto for Christianity that needs to be attacked so virulently. It's just a cute rom-com with using a rather unusual take on a fish out of water story. Morgan Fairchild, by the way. I wouldn't have recognized her. I guess older actresses are screwed either way. Either look your age and get criticized for looking old or have a lot of work done and look frozen and artificial. I admire actresses who choose the former (if they can get work!)
Started strong, but I almost died
dianegale-3792310 June 2020
My friend (P) and I were really looking forward to this film. The beginning was great, I liked how they let the website's digital marketing team handle the whole script... what other movie incorporates the phrase "direct response" into the plot? Brilliant.
Everything was going great - until I discovered (the hard way) that our dealer had sold me 9 baby aspirin and one identical tablet of pure fentynal. Within moments of slamming it, I knew we were gonna have to pause the movie!
What followed can only be described as a mad dash through Beverly Hills, trying to obtain the naltrexone needed to prevent me from going straight to heaven without learning what happens with Lacy Chabert's character. Would she finally accept Jesus as her Lord and savior, or revert to her repugnant secular lifestyle?
I was fading fast in the car, but P put on TSwizzle's "Shake it Off" and turned the volume up to 11, which def kept me from slipping into the void. So when we found an e-doctor willing to push a scrip for naltrexone to the only 24 hour drugstore in West LA, I was still conscious enough to observe him stop to buy a few scratch-off tickets after paying for the miracle nasal spray. (No harm no foul, cuz I did say to get some gummi bears too.) Yada, yada, yada, we left Rite Aid with one squirt bottle of prescription buzzkill, 10 scratchers - and only like 6 gummi bears. Srsly, I didnt know Haribo sold such small quantities. What is this, Halloween for ants??
Anyways, we got back to the crib where I finally figured out how to talk and read and pee again, but the movie was pretty much over by then.
So, 10 stars for a solid beginning and stellar facial emoting from Ms. Chabert. Minus 4 stars for the accidental overdose, minus 3 cuz none of the scratchers paid out, and minus one star cuz I would've liked a few more gummi bears.
Everything was going great - until I discovered (the hard way) that our dealer had sold me 9 baby aspirin and one identical tablet of pure fentynal. Within moments of slamming it, I knew we were gonna have to pause the movie!
What followed can only be described as a mad dash through Beverly Hills, trying to obtain the naltrexone needed to prevent me from going straight to heaven without learning what happens with Lacy Chabert's character. Would she finally accept Jesus as her Lord and savior, or revert to her repugnant secular lifestyle?
I was fading fast in the car, but P put on TSwizzle's "Shake it Off" and turned the volume up to 11, which def kept me from slipping into the void. So when we found an e-doctor willing to push a scrip for naltrexone to the only 24 hour drugstore in West LA, I was still conscious enough to observe him stop to buy a few scratch-off tickets after paying for the miracle nasal spray. (No harm no foul, cuz I did say to get some gummi bears too.) Yada, yada, yada, we left Rite Aid with one squirt bottle of prescription buzzkill, 10 scratchers - and only like 6 gummi bears. Srsly, I didnt know Haribo sold such small quantities. What is this, Halloween for ants??
Anyways, we got back to the crib where I finally figured out how to talk and read and pee again, but the movie was pretty much over by then.
So, 10 stars for a solid beginning and stellar facial emoting from Ms. Chabert. Minus 4 stars for the accidental overdose, minus 3 cuz none of the scratchers paid out, and minus one star cuz I would've liked a few more gummi bears.
Not converted, sorry.
alex_jefferies8527 November 2020
Doesn't really work either as a romance or as a Christian movie
buckythewonderhorse4 February 2023
The problem with "Christian Mingle" is it seems unsure whether to be a Christian movie or a comedy-romance, and it ends up being not particularly good as either.
I can understand it not wanting to get too full-on Christian and preachy, but the result is that the Christian message is so diluted that the Christians coming off looking pretty bad. So if they were trying to make a good advertisement for Christians, they failed.
When not-so-Christian Gwyneth meets the church friends of her new boyfriend Paul, they immediately assume she know dozens of Bible verses off by heart, and begin smelling a rat when she doesn't. Not only it is cringey, but it's unrealistic.
But the trouble is there is just enough explicitly Christian content for this to work as a romance either, because it's also (clumsily) about Gwyneth's journey to faith.
Finally, the Mexican village scenes. Other reviewers have commented about how inauthentic they were. I don't know enough about Mexico to comment, but I will say it was hard to take it seriously when it looked so much like the village from The Three Amigos!
I can understand it not wanting to get too full-on Christian and preachy, but the result is that the Christian message is so diluted that the Christians coming off looking pretty bad. So if they were trying to make a good advertisement for Christians, they failed.
When not-so-Christian Gwyneth meets the church friends of her new boyfriend Paul, they immediately assume she know dozens of Bible verses off by heart, and begin smelling a rat when she doesn't. Not only it is cringey, but it's unrealistic.
But the trouble is there is just enough explicitly Christian content for this to work as a romance either, because it's also (clumsily) about Gwyneth's journey to faith.
Finally, the Mexican village scenes. Other reviewers have commented about how inauthentic they were. I don't know enough about Mexico to comment, but I will say it was hard to take it seriously when it looked so much like the village from The Three Amigos!
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