Never Been Chris'd

We didn't think Hallmark could get lower than "Mystic Christmas" this season, but this one does it - way lower. The three lead actors (Parrish, Hynes, and Lamonthe-Kipnes) are wasted in this story that you could say has a juvenile plot - but childish might describe it better. Parrish and Lamonthe are embarrassingly bad as they cavort around like two immature teenagers. And sometimes the very talented Hynes looks like he is shell-shocked and off somewhere mentally thinking "why am in this ? What am I doing here ?". We don't even think a 13 year-old would sit through this. It's a shame, really, because Parrish and Hynes have a proven track record at Hallmark, giving some really good performances is fine productions. Particularly Hynes who was excellent in last year's outstanding "Three Wise Men and a Baby," the most watched made-for-cable movie of 2022. But, this totally misses the mark. Add to it, Linda Ko and Henriette Juanas playing the two leading ladies' mothers in what has to be some of the worst and annoying acting in a Hallmark Christmas movie and this movie simply adds insult to injury. Skip it, Lil, especially if you are a fan of Hynes or Parrish.

Do I love all things Tyler Hynes? Yes. Never Been Chris'd did not disappoint. The whole cast did a phenomenal job. I loved the storyline of the high school reunion among the holiday celebrations. The movie was full of Christmas fun and I loved how they incorporated Hanukah as well. The movie reminded me of when I go home for the holidays and I wonder if I will run into my high school classmates. I like how Hallmark has been approaching their movies lately. We don't just have a story about someone falling in love, we have a spotlight on friendships being tested and strengthened, as well. I will definitely be rewatching this one over and over.

I thought "Chris'd" would also be some sort of pun on "Chris"tmas or "Chris" Kringle in addition to Tyler's character. I already read all of the bad reviews so i'll keep this brief. I went out of my way to log into this account to give this a review because it was so bad and a total waste of my Sunday Hallmark movie nights. First, getting tired of Tyler's exact same character every movie, sort of done with him in the exact same role. 2nd: Movie has NOTHING to do with Christmas other than the mother of the brunette has Christmas decor in her home. That's IT!!! These girls hate their mothers, bad relationships never explained. Chris is a loser who lies for some reason about being vegan and steals bites of fish from various places. (HUH??) "Popular kids" in high school who are now adults and trying to re-live their high school glory days are all horrible and the 2 girlfriends who have moved on from H. S. are so excited to be hanging out with them now, also puzzling. Chris is making moves on both girls, so you are confused who he is EVENTUALLY going to have sparks with, never has sparks with either of them, even the girl who is eventually the love interest. She and best friend ruin their relationship over this guy, really? I thought they would out him for the liar he is then re-strengthen their BFF bonds, that might've been an okay ending. Instead, ends with Chris getting the girl, stupid high school reunion party (that isn't even Christmas themed). I thought at least the blond would meet some charming guy at the VERY end but no. This is why I now tune in to GAC movies!! I'm done with Hallmark and the horrible movies they keep airing with no charm and sweetness that we originally loved Hallmark for. Such a bummer. Tyler - be a little picky about the roles you take, please!!!

Good movie!

Good movie!

source: Never Been Chris'd

What a disappointment. This movie had an ill conceived plot and no chemistry between the actors. None of the characters is charming. Even halfway through it's still unclear who we should be routing for. This Lead male actor usually is fun in Hallmark movies but here his portrayal is wooden. You don't want either woman to end up with him! I also strongly disliked the underlying premise of rivalry between women friends over this MEH guy. Painful to watch. I Missed the usual Hallmark portrayal of warmth and support. Skip this one! No romance or holiday good cheer in this movie. Overall, a downer.

Do you think the main character was vegan? Maybe that was the joke? But wow that was getting old quick; every scene that mentioned food he had to say he was vegan but yet he would eat latkes, cheese and then turned out to be a pescatarian? Just say he was a vegetarian, makes no sense. I LOVE both Tyler and Janelle but this movie was just out there. It made Tyler's character seem like he wanted a best friend threesome the whole time. I loved the friendship between the two women but the love triangle was very cringe. I truly hope we get a better Christmas movie out of all of these actors this year. They are better than this.

Man, so that was SO bad. Hallmark was apparently trying for somethind different but it looked like a bunch of writers tossed partial scripts in a hat and then tried to put them together. Plus borrowing from Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. The female leads (in their 30's) blathered on and on like 13 year olds and acted like them as well. The high school gang schtick was cringe-worthy with charicatures of every type of "never grew up" character. The mothers were both over-the-top caricatures of weird moms as well. Why everyone was supposedly gaga over Chris is a mystery based on how Tyler portrayed him; he totally phoned in the role. What the whole "I am a vegan" bit was pointless and stupid. There was no chemistry at all between Chris and the ultimate choice. And Hallmark had the chance to do something different and interesting - ditch the romance and have the two friends part company but remain single - but, as always, Hallmark never fails to disappoint. Gotta have the female paired up because, in Hallmarkia, single women are faiures in life without a man to lean on.

Like many Hallmark Christmas movie fans, I've been hoping and praying they'd break out of their cookie-cutter format. Never Been Chris'd gives me hope! There's the usual happy ending, but it's bitter sweet, and getting there involves a lot of honesty and soul searching, with old wounds being laid bare. Don't let this scare you away, though. There's still plenty of the usual Hallmark, er, hallmarks to keep things interesting. The two female leads have great chemistry and their comedic timing is spot on. The first 30-45 minutes contain several funny scenes, lines, and reactions. (In all honesty, I missed that comedy as the movie began to take a "darker" turn.) Never Been Chris'd may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is a refreshing change from the usual Hallmark Christmas output.