David (Kemp) is an American architect who recently moved to London for a prime opportunity in a prestigious firm. With just three days before Christmas, he must still purchase a gift for his... Read allDavid (Kemp) is an American architect who recently moved to London for a prime opportunity in a prestigious firm. With just three days before Christmas, he must still purchase a gift for his girlfriend, who also happens to be the boss' daughter. While out shopping, David crosses ... Read allDavid (Kemp) is an American architect who recently moved to London for a prime opportunity in a prestigious firm. With just three days before Christmas, he must still purchase a gift for his girlfriend, who also happens to be the boss' daughter. While out shopping, David crosses paths with professional shopper Anji (Shetty), who raises an eyebrow over his choice of a ... Read all
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Unfortunately, it was difficult watching Will Kemp do an American accent; I would have raised my review 2 stars if it was Brit! The actress who played Anjali was adorable, but her being a chronic hustler was not very appealing. That said, the storyline lacked appeal. All Hallmark had to do was watch a couple Michael Damian movies for inspiration. Europe is magical at Christmas time, and so much more could have been done with this great location and great cast, but unfortunately, I felt let down. Storyline/teleplay was slow and not very romantic. It was a mere 5 for me, and I did want so much to love it.
-Did I mention that dismal "American" accent? Poor Will Kemp...
This wasn't the usual Hallmark movie, the lead character is a male not a female and it had more depth to it. There were screwball comedy elements and a Christmas market that was very Dickensian. Will Kemp was a ballet dancer and the dancing scene at the charity event was probably choreographed by Will.
The trouble I had, which constantly distracted me, was that poor Will Kemp was really struggling with the American accent. (He is British.) I'm not sure if his character was supposed to have been a New Yorker, born and bred, but he often sounded as if he came from the most "flat 'a'" regions of Minnesota.
The accent was really a little bit all over the place, but not only that - The character's speech was simply written strangely, as if the writer was doing his best to imagine how an "American guy" might speak.
I've noticed that Australians seem to understand us Americans, our activities and our speech patterns pretty well. The British and Canadians, however, seem to think American males are all cowboys, hayseeds or frat boys, and overly casual even in the most formal situations.
Just as an example, when the Will Kemp character meets the female lead's parents and they ask if he is an architect, he replies, "Uh-huh." They ask him another related question and he again says, "Uh-huh." !!! In my world, a man who has attained the level of education of a successful architect would not be uncouth! When speaking with an older couple he had just met, he would reply with, "Yes, I am," - or even "Yes, Sir," especially if he's from the American South - but never "uh-huh!"
In another scene, he meets a man who is going to interview him, and when the man says, "Hello," the Will Kemp character actually replies "Hey." What??!! The writer must think we Americans are inclined to just throw our jackets over a chair, take our shoes off and pop open a beer, no matter what the setting or situation.
Mr. Kemp also seemed to have some trouble simply moving as an American man would normally move...which is "normally!" We don't really wag our heads around or walk differently from the Brits or anyone else.
Before I lay all this on Will Kemp, I have to note that it might have been the director forcing him into some of this.
(I was an amateur stage actress for decades, and the director can make or break you, and has the power to make you look and feel foolish. As much as you might plead, "I don't think the character would ever do this," what the director says usually goes. I had many great directors whose direction I trusted completely, though. I'm just speculating. Hate to blame Will if it's not his fault!)
Aside from these annoyances, it really is a pretty good movie. I got to see a lot of scenic London, and as I mentioned, there was a sweet chemistry between the two leads. Did I mention Will Kemp is gorgeous? (Ha! Sorry. Couldn't help it.)
An American architect working in London has got himself almost engaged to the bosses daughter. He goes with a gift card for a Christmas Present, it is a big red flag. When a professional gift buyer mocks him for it, he decides to hire her to pick out the perfect gift for his girlfriend. They have shopping adventures all around London and as they get to know each other, they fall in love. He learns the value of family and Christmas blah blah blah. And she learns love is the perfect gift.
I remember Reshma Shetty from Royal Pains, and she was great in this. Will Kemp was just as charming. Good mix of romance with professional drama. I loved the small dose of Indian family life and culture as well. Definitely a Winner.
A Hallmark movie set in London with people from London and an American with a strange accent. I don't know what that was all about, but he sounded like he was trying to sound American?
The setting in London is great, and the rest was Hallmark. This is just like the million based in Chicago, Boston, upstate Maine, and maybe the occasional Seattle, or NY. It had a British feel to it, credit where credit is due, they must have had some staff who knew how to give it that European sort of flair.
The dialogue was ordinary, the sets were good, the acting was good, the theme was tired, the chemistry was late. Please do another one in London with a better script and energy. Please, please, please.
Did you know
- TriviaFirst Hallmark movie set in London UK.
- GoofsAnji's car has a road tax disc which have not been in use in the UK for several years.
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- A Very Merry British Christmas
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- Covent Garden, London, England, UK(filming location)
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