The Great Christmas Switch

source: The Great Christmas Switch

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It was a very good movie. Nothing extraordinary, but it has such warmth and kindness that it makes it special. Gac Family has started its path with very good movies. What else do they have in store for us?

I am getting tired of films whose plot is based on a an idiotic decision. They could easily avoid all these conception (breaking a dozen of laws being the least of it) by just telling the truth. Since the hubby and kids would be away and since Kay would be de facto substituting for her sister in her job what would be easier than just telling to their family/job that they would be exchanging homes with their sister? I gave it a 3/10 only for... I don't know. The plot deserves a zero.

I thought GAC's opening Christmas movie was wonderful (Much Ado About Christmas). This one on the other hand was a bit of a dud. The acting seemed off at times, the script was not very engaging, and I did not feel the Christmas spirit in this one. If you are a Christmas movie junkie, then this might be for you. Otherwise, you should consider passing on this one.

This movie gets better as it goes on. The California sisters wig at the beginning is horrible. Also her roommate is like 16 years younger than her? Deadend job. By that point in life? It seems like the sisters are very different in age. And who is like yes I'd so much rather go do your work all week thank spend time alone with my dog?! Just go visit and help out. No need to actually switch. The set up is totally Lacking. The chemistry with some characters is lacking. I just needed a bit more to care I guess. All in all provided some entertainment but definitely could have been better hashed out and better casted.

Really liked the premise for 'The Great Christmas Switch'. It's not a unique one, but it had real potential to be clever and more intricate than is usually seen with any Christmas film with this concept (or a similar one). That was my main reason for seeing the film, along with loving Christmas and many Christmas films and being on a roll watching and reviewing Christmas films from Hallmark, Lifetime, UpTV and recently GAC (the last of which being responsible for this film). 'The Great Christmas Switch' is a real waste of potential and really not a promising introduction to my recent decision to watch some of GAC'S films. A strong example of a great concept with really weak execution, undone primarily by the over-parted lead performance and the extremely flawed story execution. Is it awful? No. Does it have awful elements? It does rather. Is it recommended? No not really, merely for curiosity's sake and not much more. It has good things. The end discussion about the marriage was really heartfelt and really appreciated its well intended messaging that was actually done with a lot of honesty and little preachiness. Production values are attractive enough too. Sarah Lind however falls completely flat in her dual role, it is not easy playing twins but it has been known to be done well (Jeremy Irons, Bette Davis). Sadly Lind doesn't bring much personality or variety to either role, playing them both the same and not well, and comes over as bland and stiff. Dillon Casey does fare better but he has far too little to do and he and Lind's chemistry has no sparkle or feeling. The supporting cast fail to register in stock roles. The script always sounds awkward and has too much cheese and schmaltz. Worst of all is the story, which is painfully dull in pace and manages to be too thin for the length and too chaotic structurally to the point that the switching becomes confusing. It is also truly ridiculous, with the big secret being endlessly dragged out and still dragged out when it was clear the film had run out of ideas. Didn't care enough for any of the characters, all never fleshed out and merely just there. Lind's characters are the only ones that are particularly big in screen time but the character development isn't there. The direction is sluggish and has little control over the material. Overall, weak. 3/10.

I was a little apprehensive about this one - since it looked really close to Switched for Christmas. BUT it actually wasn't bad. Pretty much the same premise with a few subtle differences. While the storyline was totally ridiculous (as was Switched for Christmas), it has a good holiday feel to it. I enjoyed it - looking past some of the obvious flaws: Sophia - as Kaelyn - kind of starts dating a guy - but Kaelyn is married with kids. Kaelyn's husband and kids don't realize it's not their mother - and generally don't see much wrong with Sophia's - as Kaelyn - behavior or quirks. Kaelyn is able to seamlessly do Sophia's job for which she has no training. AND MORE... It's just a movie you watch to get lost in reality. That's why we're watching - right?

This one made me fall asleep a couple of times. No flow, just dull. This story could have been funny and had room for entertaining spins, but it just did not make use of it.

Was worried this would be a Swiched for Christmas repeat, but was very different and a lot more deep story. Sarah Lind was excellent. Feel good movie. Love GAC doing these family friendly movies.