A Royal Christmas (2014)

Overrated and overhyped

Just what I expected

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

"A Royal Christmas" is a very good movie that works as a very good Christmas film as well. That's because it also is a comedy-romance, and one with a different twist. Many a film has been made in which the commoner American (usually) makes all sorts of mistakes and wreaks havoc in and on a royal household. Instead, this film has an American commoner who rises to the occasion and foils the witty attempts of the royal head of household. Thus, "A Royal Christmas" is much more than another tale of princess meets prince charming. The film has a very good cast that bring the comedy off just right. The love interests are Emily Taylor (played by Lacey Chabert) and Leo James (aka, Prince Leopold, played by Stephen Hagan). Emily comes close to being too sugary at times, but fortunately, the timing in the screenplay creates switches at the appropriate moments to contain the syrup. Leo, on the other hand, starts a little cool in the first scenes, but then seems to get into his role with conviviality. There's a handful of supporting cast with smaller roles who do a lot to give life to the plot. But two other major leads stand out and guide the film to its successful finish. Jane Seymour is sparking as Isador, Queen of Cordinia, and Leo's mother. She has a match planned for him in childhood friend and sweetheart, Natasha, Duchess of Warren (played very well by Katherine Flynn). And, she loathes the thought of Leo marrying Emily, a commoner. Her conniving to make it all unbearable for Emily mostly backfires when Emily makes friends with the royal household staff, and takes a quick day-long lesson in royal behavior from Victor, the chief butler. Simon Dutton plays Victor wonderfully. He's the one staff person who isn't intimidated by the queen, while always maintaining his proper place (of course). Naturally, there's a happy ending in this film. There are more details and some small subplots within that add nice touches and enhance it as a Christmas movie. While it isn't loaded with laughter, the many foiled plots and scenarios just bring smiles and chuckles. As a chick flick, this would probably be rated tops. As a very good comedy-romance and Christmas film, it rates eight stars from me. It's a very entertaining movie that the whole family should enjoy.

This is typical Hallmark fare; Prince studies in the States, meets apple-pie, down to earth American girl with lovingly gruff widowed dad and takes her home to the Palace to meet mom the Ice- Queen Queen and his old girlfriend lying in wait. The royal decor is hilarious with deer-in-the headlights, garish portraits, suits of armour and gold everywhere; lots of gold. And just in case we viewers have forgotten this is a holiday movie we're beaten repeatedly over the head with Christmas trees standing awkwardly in every scene. Along the way, the girl predictably makes every ugly American faux pas known to sitcoms (you just KNEW she'd drink from the finger bowl, didn't you?), mugging to make the guards laugh, dressing inappropriately at every turn and giggling loudly all the way. But alas for the Queen, her campaign against the upstart begins to come apart at its snooty seams and the American wins the hearts of all around her, just as she already has that of the Prince. But will the Queen come around as well??????? The suspense will not kill you.

This is the perfect Christmas movie that is well written well acted and the soundtrack is perfect. Even though the story line itself centres around Leo and Emily and the Queen, every character right down to the servants gives this movie a strong foundation on which it builds itself on. All the little sub plots never leave this movie in a lull and there is an air of true Christmas spirit that leaves you wanting more. Our family enjoyed this movie together it seemed to really kick start the Christmas spirit within us and that's what Christmas movies are all about.I would easily say it's the feel good Christmas movie of the year.

Look, I love a cheesy romcom as much as the next girl, but can the writers PLEASE make sure the script is at least marginally accurate? There were so many peerage mistakes in this movie that really irritated me. Lacey Chabert was charming and the Prince guy was reasonably believable as a young royal wanting to find a "real" girl but aside from that there wasn't much this film could offer. I really wish that Jane Seymour wouldn't degrade herself to projects like this (speaking as a Dr. Quinn fan). If you enjoy the fluffy, feel-good, holiday films that Hallmark make then this film is for you. If you're after a real life Cinderella tale then look elsewhere. May I suggest "Ever After"?3/10 stars. Sorry Hallmark. Not your best holiday movie.