I actually had very low expectations about this movie. The title didn't make me excited, a neither did the plot or the few images I saw. I thought the same thing the first 15 minutes of the movie, but as it continued I found myself enjoying it. Both leads do a pretty good work, and so does the supporting cast. It's not the best Hallmark has made, and the end is very predictable, but it's a lovely movie to enjoy in a boring afternoon.

Fact: The actors who play Barry and Dean perform as brothers in Hallmark's "Chesapeake Shores", and I think this was shot before or during the production of the show so it was nice seeing them, even though they are not goofing around.

Sarah Lancaster stars as an actress trying to make it in New York on the stage but after 10 years of not succeeding she decides to take a break from her struggling actress profession to spend Christmas in her hometown during the Christmas season. When she arrives home she just seems to continually be disappointed by bad news until.....yes you guessed it, the magic of the Christmas season!

The actual word "Christmas" was stated at least a hundred or more times during this so-called Romance/Christmas themed film but even for a made for TV movie with all the cheerful music and all the Christmas decorations and Christmas themed fireplaces trying to warm the inside of our heart, simply put, this film only gave me heartburn. This to me was a total waste of my time and I am a big sucker for Christmas themed films. I suggest you avoid it especially if you are trying to find a movie to get you in to either a romantic mood and/or the Christmas spirit. Too mushy would be providing too nice a compliment about this stinker.

Whether it is easy to not take 'Tis the Season for Love' and similar films seriously is dependent on whether the good things outweigh the bad and vice versa. Dependent on how many flaws there are and how big they are. And dependent on how well the film executed its good things. In some cases it is easy to not take it too seriously. In other cases it is very distracting when there are so many annoyances and done to an incompetent level.

'Tis the Season for Love' is not one of those films. It does have things wrong with it, then again when has a Hallmark festive film been perfect, and the flaws are a few of the usual ones. 'Tis the Season for Love' does achieve its aims though at being undemanding light-hearted entertainment that has charm and heart and has a lot of good things, ones that are essential to get right if a film is to be halfway watchable. My festive Hallmark film viewings have been hit and miss, 'Tis the Season for Love' is one of the hits thankfully.

Sarah Lancaster is very understated but also very appealing, personally didn't think she looked bored and appreciated that character flaws are not overdone (have found this too many times with Hallmark). Brendan Penny is a very likeable, relaxed and charming leading man, did not care at all this time about his character being cliched because there is never the mistake of taking any uptightness and such to extremes. Really liked the chemistry between the two, lead chemistry has always varied with Hallmark (and Lifetime) and this is one of the cases where it has worked. Very genuine and always comfortable.

Also liked the supporting cast, especially sympathetic Gwyneth Walsh. All the cast in fact do well in fleshing out characters that are Hallmark cliches used a lot but actually make them feel real. The direction is always competent and in control of the material while not phoning in. The production values are great, with it being particularly beautifully shot. The scenery is very easy on the eyes. The script doesn't come over as corny or schmaltzy, and flows naturally. Although the story is far from perfect, it is light-hearted, succeeds in not taking itself too seriously and is charming.

It is very predictable though, not that that wasn't unexpected, with little new done with a more of the same formula. It ends too neatly and conveniently too, which is also not uncommon for Hallmark.

Personally too thought that the music score was ill-fitting, with the twinkling sound and quality being too tacky and made it sound like it was lifted out of a late-80s/early-90s family fantasy.

Overall, well above average and quite good even. 7/10.