Homegrown Christmas

'Homegrown Christmas' was one of the difficult to rate films seen as part of my recent festive film quest. Which was an interesting endeavour and a fairly worthwhile one, though quality-wise it was variable. Was pleasantly surprised by the likes of 'Coins for Christmas' and 'Christmas Around the Corner'. On the other side of the quality spectrum, there were a few that were dire, one of the worst being 'A Christmas Village' that failed on every level.

This, 'Homegrown Christmas' this is, was somewhere in between. Neither among the best recently seen Christmas films (or ever even), nowhere near, but also nowhere near close to being the worst (same thing). Some good things but also some bad things, so not too bad but not particularly good and worth a one-time watch but with no desire to see it again. Not a bad position to be in, as it is good if something is at least watchable, but not too great at the same time as timeless repeat viewings (of which there's plenty around).

Will start with the good things. It looks quite nice, not amazing but not slipshod either as the location captures the Christmas spirit well and is complemented competently by the photography. Even if the editing is not always there. The soundtrack fits well and doesn't sound too loud or overdone.

Although it would have been great if they came more consistently, there are amusing moments and the drama is cute and not too heavy. Some of the supporting do well with what they have, having presence but not over-compensating.

Did feel though that the leads did try too hard and their chemistry has no subtlety or charm. Actually found it continually strained, there are times where it is meant to be because the story called for it but it didn't all the time and any gear changes stayed the same. The story is at least coherent, but the joy and heart wasn't there and there were things that felt abrupt and rushed.

Both the comic and dramatic moments have moments, but the comedy mostly is just as strained as the never really believable romantic chemistry and when there is any sentimentality it is hard to stomach. The characters are not very well defined and are quite shallow. Some of the editing is sloppy.

Overall, watchable but didn't do a huge amount for me. 5/10