Perfect Strangers

source: Lost at Christmas

source: Lost at Christmas

This really isn't a Christmas romance or comedy. There's snow and some gift wrapping around but otherwise void of sentiment. It feels like this is a sarcastic jibe at what Christmas films are rather than lodging itself in the genre. But it isn't a satire. The production values are low, which is fine. Some bad lighting etc can be forgiven for finishing a movie on smaller budgets but in 2021 where people film on iPhones, your expectations are higher. This did not deserve to be on BBC. It feels like a paid for Prime film. I thought I'd like the cast at the start but they played one note the whole way through. One trick ponies. Maybe that's through direction or inexperience. This film also claims to have been the first Scottish Christmas film which is not true at all. Self proclamation aside, I want to watch a Christmas film to feel happy, not depressive. Or indeed watch an alternative Christmas film to Regale the humbug or satire. This neither sits anywhere than directly in humbug, without the wink. Really shows what comes out of Scottish films shown on BBC. This can't be how good it can be. Otherwise the industry is already dead.

I have just watched this film on Blu Ray and really enjoyed it. The film has a wonderfully intimate atmosphere and is very engaging. The storyline is unexpected and original. The characters are heart-warming and fun to watch. I will be watching it lots at Christmas in the years to come.

There's space in the movie-verse for Christmas films from Bad Santa to Krampus, through to tenuous links to Die Hard. But if you are marketing as a Christmas Romance/Comedy, your audiences expect both romance, comedy, warm fuzzy feelings or at least want the couple to get together already... even if you know that's what happens from the start. There was unneeded bad language and an attempt to "make fresh" a tradition of Christmas movie rules. Netflix still aren't getting it totally right yet, attempting to garner the Hallmark and Lifetime audiences that see hundreds of millions flock to the cliche year in and out. But it's because it didn't either go far enough that this film fails. The characters and story feels like the actors and writer are all bitter curmudgeons (yes even the young couple) who are deftly unlikable to the final beat. I don't route for them opposed to wish them a one night fling they'd regret and I'd say "I told you so". So in that way, maybe they are meant for each other. It thinks it's a wise cracking dark comedy. It's not. It wants to be a Christmas film. It's takes more than decorations and snow to make a festive film. And it fancies itself a romance. Without an ounce of love or warmth. Leads you to think no one who worked on the film has ever fallen in love or enjoys Christmas. Both the leads need to learn what a smile is. Its so bleak. And though Scotland in the winter is a dark and chilly place, it's can't be as frosty as this relationship. Give it a miss. The festive romance movie selection is in the thousands now Spend your time somewhere else. You'll not feel as depressed.

Well worth a watch with the family over Christmas. The scenery was stunning with many laughs through the movie.

Really enjoyed, set in my favourite place in the World in my favourite pub this was lovely, funny, sad and, well nice. Characters were good as well.

All that snow, yet none falls on their heads. No 'breath' coming out their mouths? Couldn't suspend my reality for all the cheesy one liners.

Brilliant film with a bit of everything funny,moving absolutely loved it

I really enjoyed the majority of this movie. The ending implies that they probably don't end up together for good, which is not the kind of thing I am looking for in a Christmas romance. Maybe that's more realistic but it's not like the rest of the film was committed to realism so I'm not sure what the filmmakers were trying to accomplish there. I liked the other 99% of it enough to watch it again, but I'll certainly be trimming the end off of my next viewing experience. If you think you'll probably feel the same way about it that I do, then I would stop the movie after she sings her song and they kiss. Perfect ending. The score killed the vibe a little. It could have used something a little more upbeat. This movie definitely has dramatic moments, it's as much a drama as a comedy, I would say, but some jollier music would have gone a long way in improving my enjoyment. Otherwise, a cute film with a good romance and a nice change of pace from the Hallmark and Lifetime movies while still being generally the same type of movie.