It Takes a Christmas Village (2021 TV Movie) User Reviews

More than your traditional Christmas romantic sap...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 18 December 2021]

Well, based on the cover alone for the 2021 Christmas movie "It Takes a Christmas Village", then it seems like you will be in for another archetypical hour and a half of raw, sugar-coated Christmas cheese. Yet, I still opted to sit down and watch this movie from writer Kate Pragnell and director Corey Sevier, as I hadn't already seen it, and also because I am on a Christmas movie roll this year.

And I will say that writer Kate Pragnell actually managed to put together a very wholesome storyline for this movie. It was one that not only encompassed the Christmas spirit, but also managed to provide proper entertainment through interesting characters, story arch and dialogue. And yeah, "It Takes a Christmas Village" does have the sentimental Christmas romantic cheese, of course it does, but luckily it is not something that overshadows the entire movie.

I wasn't familiar with the cast in the movie, but I will say that they did a good job in bringing the story and characters to life on the screen. Lead actress Brooke Nevin (playing Alexandra) and lead actor and director Corey Sevier (playing Darcy) carried the movie quite well, and definitely had a good on-screen chemistry.

I was genuinely entertained by "It Takes a Christmas Village" and it is a movie that I can warmly recommend you sitting down to watch, should you get the chance. While "It Takes a Christmas Village" is not going to become a Christmas classic for me, it is certainly a movie well-worth watching.

My rating of "It Takes a Christmas Village" lands on a six out of ten stars.

A new Christmas favorite

[ehemmeter-84743 · 8/10 · 23 December 2021]

This is a sweet but realistic movie! The actors are very keen on portraying their characters! I never saw Brooke Nevin act but she is incredible in this film.

Christmas village charm

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 30 January 2023]

Have been on a roll watching Hallmark/Lifetime etc Christmas films for a few years now. It has been an interesting and worthwhile endeavour, though a very inconsistent one. There was never the mentality of expecting a classic or the film in question to be flawless. Something that was never managed with pretty much all the films seen. There was always the expectation of seeing a film where one can see at least some effort rather than merely cash-in level. The former being obvious in most luckily.

'It Takes a Christmas Village' is one of the Christmas films in the former category. 2021 was very hit and miss for Christmas films and for Lifetime, but 'It Takes a Christmas Village' is somewhere around high middle in ranking. Can see why some will not like it and it does have issues that stop it from being a classic (never expect a classic with this company), but there was the expectation of it being a pleasant enough watch at least and to me it succeeded at that absolutely.

There are some silly, to the point of nonsense, moments, like everything with the construction which is unrealistic.

Did also find the ending too neat, which was not unexpected for a film that is also very formulaic, and there is too much music, not just in placement but also in volume (too melodramatic sounding).

On the other hand, Brooke Nevin and Corey Sevier are very engaging leads and have lovely subtle charisma and sweet charm (do agree though that Nevin's panting did distract). Their chemistry was sweet and genuine and they looked at ease together, do wish that they were together more though. The supporting cast are solid and the characters are not too perfect or have overblown negative traits.

Production values are pleasing. It's not too drab or garish in photography, the editing didn't seem rushed or disorganised and the scenery has a real charm to it. The dialogue has flow and doesn't get too cheesy or too schmaltzy. The story on the whole is light hearted and heart warming.

Nice film if not mind blowing. 7/10.

good job

[Kirpianuscus · 28 October 2022]

For many Hallmark films, nice can be enough for define them. In this case, the gin play, the sled , the reference to Jane Austen ( sure, only for the name of young Hawkins but it sounds good ), the Darcy and the Christmas market idea, like the inspired portrait of Darcy's grandmother are the good things saving, in some measure , the film, for be little more than other Christmas Hallmark movie.

But the good job of Corey Savier, as director and actor , and the interesting story - sure , the cliches are at their place , obvious - are ingredients of the secret for appreciate , real appreciate, as easy romance, this film changing, in delicate measure, your expectations.

Good story

[dallasallis · 7/10 · 30 April 2022]

Entertaining. Decent story & good directing by Corey Sevier.

However. I'm sure it wasn't easy to film in such (real) cold weather...evidenced by Brooke Nevin's heavy gasping for air throughout most of the outside scenes. It was almost painful to watch her struggle to breath and stopped me from fully engaging in the movie.

Not bad.

[lwoods2 · 6/10 · 23 December 2021]

What can I say? It's the same formula as every other Christmas movie out there on Lifetime or Hallmark and I think the lead actress has asthma, but otherwise it's pretty good.

Mayor steps up for the town

[tinatalksavon · 10/10 · 25 December 2021]

I love Brooke Nevin as an actress. I thought this was a good, all-around movie. Mayor steps up to help save the town businesses. Of course there's a romance brewing, but it's to be expected. Pretty scenery. Loved the river scenes and the fountain.

Nonsense

[Jackbv123 · 4/10 · 1 January 2022]

The story revolved around a nonsensical political situation in a small town. Like so many movies, the universe begins in the opening scene and yet somehow there is disconnected but important backstory. It was as if Mayor Foster just arrived on the scene and had done nothing prior to that moment. Either the construction situation never would have happened or the Mayor should have been immediately removed for incompetence. No construction of the only route into town would be begun without a contract stipulating huge penalties for being late. She had no idea what the status was. Like I said, it's like she just arrived. And later a powerful committee holds an unscheduled meeting without any notification to or input from the mayor. I could have overlooked all this, but much screen time was devoted to these things and really I have to think that this plot thread was intended to be as important or more important than the romance. That would not be the story thread the interests me.

There were several sequences with music and no dialogue as nonspecific activity took place. As a result, the romance, which should have been the focus of the movie, did not get enough screen time. Nevin and Sevier were good together when they had a chance.

Light hearted and sweet

[cuteasianyou-38775 · 9/10 · 24 December 2021]

I usually am in the mood to watch super sweet films during the holidays but this movie was quite interesting and held my attention. Characters were interesting. Plot saw the characters move from point A to B. Problem and solution were just enough to make the film stick to a good formula. In the end, you cheer for the characters to successfully save their town while finding their own personal happiness.

The Best boring Christmas movie!

[sammygol · 2/10 · 18 December 2021]

Christmas time, no party , no passion, no drinks, .. just hot chocolate!! The guy even isn't able to get a chance to kiss the girl to the end. Movie doesn't have any turning points, plain like children's book. Sorry for Canadian movies with such a boring theme. Movie is like drinking a glass of water and going to sleep on Saturday evening at 9 pm.