Despite loving Christmas and having no bias against Hallmark Christmas films (far from it and this has been said before quite a number of times in other reviews of their work), the premise did not really excite me. Striking me as being too much of typical Hallmark and pretty old-hat. Saw 'Looks Like Christmas' as part of my quest to see as many Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas films as possible and because of liking both Anne Heche and Dylan Neal in other things.
Both deserved much better than the very lacking material they had in 'Looks Like Christmas', their characters were not worthy of them and makes them look bad as actors. 2016 did see some good Christmas Hallmark films, but it also saw some lacking ones. And while not as bad as 'A December Bride' and 'A Wish for Christmas', 'Looks Like Christmas' is one of those lacking films. Hallmark have certainly done a lot worse, including that year, but they have also done better.
Absolutely agree about Sean Michael Kyer and even more so Farryn VanHumbeck being the best things about the film, giving very charming and mature performances and coming over as very likeable.
It looks nice, well shot with lovely scenery. Wasn't impressed by the music on the whole, not unusual for Hallmark, but there were some pleasant and nostalgically festive parts.
Neither Heche or Neal however are on good form. Heche looks tired and like her heart wasn't in it and Neal also looked as though he had given up when his material got weaker later. Do agree about their chemistry being non-existent, with them being not remotely believable as friends let alone lovers. They don't look comfortable together and their rapport is awkward and far too hostile, the relationship is also rushed and underdeveloped. The rest of the supporting cast are bland in roles that are little more than ciphers and tried and tested Hallmark cliches.
Furthermore, the script throughout is weak. It was mostly very stilted and cheesy as well as dreary with too much blandness to have any sentimental value. The story never comes to life, with a very pedestrian pace. And because of doing absolutely nothing different with a premise already done to death is very predictable. It is also very thin, especially early on, there is a lot of credibility straining, including how Heche's character would continue having anything to do with Neal's character when his rudeness becomes excessive. The music is drab and tends to intrude.
Summing up, very lacklustre and a waste of two talented actors. 4/10.
