The Sweetest Christmas (2017)

You could throw a dart at a TV guide and hit the title of a TV movie starring Lacey Chabert. It seems to be her thing now. I can't recall the last time I saw her in a theatrical release, which is a shame because I like her a lot. Not that I am criticising her choices. I am sure that she is very happy to have such a prolific career, and to be receiving those paydays. All I am doing here is reiterating, as I am sure I have mentioned it before, that if you enjoy these holiday TV movies then I have no doubt that you will have already seen at least one or two starring Mrs Chabert.

You may also have seen a few movies directed by Terry Ingram. He's done his fair share of Christmas films (including Wish Upon A Christmas, Finding Father Christmas, and Hats Off To Christmas! - the latter of which I have seen, and given a 5/10). So it's not unfair to think that the pairing of this director and star will result in something very enjoyable, for this kind of thing.

Chabert plays Kylie Watson, a talented pastry chef who is over the moon when she discovers that she has made it into the finals of a competition judging who can make the best gingerbread creation. Her delight is short-lived, however, when her oven breaks down. You can't work on delicious baked good creations without a decent over. So it's fortunate that an old flame, Nick (Lea Coco), runs a restaurant that has a couple of ovens she may be able to use. Not that everything will go smoothly, of course.

Thisis your typical Hallmark creation. Attractive people with problems that are far removed from real life. We don't really know how Chabert has made her way through life before this point, and it doesn't matter. Everyone is settled and comfortable, there's nothing to remind you of real problems in the world around us, and you can almost smell the gingerbread baking. That's all this wants to give you, and it does.

Chabert is a likable lead (as I have mentioned before, despite chopping and changing the way I spell the word "likable/likeable"), Coco is fine (although I have to wonder if they picked him JUST for having his surname tagged on to this movie title), and you have support from Lane Edwards, Jonathan Adams, Lara Gilchrist, and Brenden Sunderland as the child who inadvertently helps the adults to bond.

Pedestrian in the extreme, this does no more than keep your screen full of a homogenised selection of "lovely townsfolk" all doing their bit on the run up to Christmas. You'll see smiles, Christmas trees, and a marketable and copywritten vision of the season - all designed to keep you only slightly distracted as you make your own preparations during the holidays.

5/10

Hallmark Channel PR pic.