These two movies are examples of what can happen when a movie is given to someone without their consent or even knowing it. They may enjoy it for a while, but eventually they will want nothing to do with it. These movies are not only unappreciated by the people who received them, but also by the filmmakers who made them.
The movie is directed by Debbie Isitt, who is most well-known for the Nativity movies and the stage musical that was based on the first and best movie from that festive franchise. She is a gifted director of children, hence the decent performances from the kids in this movie, but some of the screenplays she has written have been rather poor in quality. If you have seen Nativity Rocks you will probably agree with us, and if you sit down to watch Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, you might also share these sentiments.
The film follows the Cunningham family as they spend Christmas at Mistletoe Farm. Matt, a city man who has recently inherited a farm, is trying to figure out how to make it work while his kids are having a blast. The film is entertaining and well-made, with good acting and a good story. ..
He quickly realises that staying at the farm is not going to be the best decision for him and decides to leave. He has to look after his children and get his presentation done on time, which is very difficult.
The initial scenes of Matt struggling to cope with life on the farm are fairly amusing, but the movie quickly takes a darker turn as another character, Beano, appears. He’s a buffoonish character in a rainbow-colored sweater who undermines Matt’s attempts at coping. ..
Beano wakes up in one of the farm’s barns and startling the exploring kids who had no idea of his existence. He learns that he is the farm’s handyman and they are quickly won over by his silly charms but Matt is less-than-pleased by this overgrown man-child who ingratiates himself into his family. You might be displeased too as Beano sucks all the charm out of the movie’s potential and turns it into a farce. He is an irritating and bothersome man, which isn’t a complaint about Scott Paige, the actor who plays him, but more a criticism of Isitt’s writing as she lets him overshadow the rest of the movie’s plotting with his nonsensical behaviour!
The people in the village are a mix of different cultures and religions, and they all have their own stories to tell. We meet a baker who makes the best bread in the village, a butcher who sells meat that is fresh from the animals, and a candlestick maker who makes beautiful light fixtures. These characters are all important to the story, and we learn about them along the way.
These characters are all fairly one-dimensional, but they are pleasant enough. This makes it sad that it’s Beano and not these other local folks that get the most amount of screen time.
If you make it through the movie without hitting the ‘off’ button, you will be treated to scenes involving a pair of land developers who want to buy the farm. Their introduction is actually fairly comical as they are as uncomfortable being on a farm as Matt is. As we watch them struggle with the farmyard smells and other assorted hazards, there are a couple of laughs to be had, but as they don’t stick around for very long, neither does the comedy. ..
If you have children at home, the movie might be more interesting to them than you are likely to be. They might find the silly antics of the animals entertaining and fall in love with the farm life. This is why Christmas On Mistletoe Farm isn’t completely disposable if you need to keep your kids entertained while you’re wrapping up their presents or preparing the Christmas dinner.
If you’re looking for a festive movie to watch this year, you might be better off streaming one of the better options that are currently available. This movie will likely make you groan at its poor attempts at humor, its unconvincing romantic subplot, and the final plot twist that might leave you shaking your head. ..
You might also reach for the remote control when the local villagers perform their big musical number at the end of Christmas. Rather than singing a Christmas song, they sing YMCA, which I assume is supposed to be ‘comical’ because it is a song by the Village People being sung by the local village people! ..
Christmas On Mistletoe Farm is not a movie that will be enjoyed by most people. It has cheap production values, a predictable plot line, and at least one insufferable character. ..
Christmas is coming and the farm is preparing for the holiday season. The animals are getting ready to have a good time, the children are getting ready to have fun, and the farmers are getting ready to sell their products. The farm is also preparing for a special event that will happen on Christmas Eve.
