Christmas Wedding Planner: Is It Worth Watching?

The 2017 Canadian film Christmas Wedding Planner has received mixed reviews. While some viewers enjoyed the light-hearted and fun storyline, others criticised the movie for its low budget, poor acting, and unrealistic plot. The movie has been described as bland and not original, with a rating of 2 out of 5 stars by Common Sense Media. However, some viewers found the movie entertaining, particularly within the genre of Christmas cheese.

Low production value

The term "production value" is used to refer to the overall quality of a film's technical elements, including set design, lighting, costumes, props, and special effects. It does not include creative or performing arts elements such as writing, acting, directing, or editing. A film with high production value will generally look more professional and appealing to audiences.

"The Christmas Wedding Planner" has received low ratings from critics, who have described it as "bland", "paint-by-numbers", and "made-for-TV fluff". One review specifically mentions the film's low budget, noting that everything looks very cheap, and that all the locations look like they were filmed in someone's house. The reviewer also notes that the actors all looked like they were wearing their own clothes, and that the lobster in one scene looked fake. Another review mentions the "odd casting" and "terrible acting", stating that everyone in the film decided that overacting was the way to go.

Poor acting

The 2017 film "Christmas Wedding Planner" has been criticized for its poor acting, with one reviewer calling it "bland, paint-by-numbers, [and] cookie-cutter". The performances of the lead actors, Jocelyn Hudon and Stephen Huszar, have been described as "slavishly adher[ing] to stereotype" and "odd".

The supporting cast has also been criticized, with one reviewer noting that "everyone else [besides the leads] looked unsure as to why they were there". The acting has been described as "terrible", "overacted", and "awkward", with one reviewer singling out the baker's performance as particularly "cringeworthy".

The film's director, Justin G. Dyck, has also been criticized for his apparent "emphasis on quantity over quality". Despite the negative reviews, some viewers found the lead actors "endearing" and felt that they had decent chemistry.

Lack of character development

'The Christmas Wedding Planner' has received poor reviews, with many critics citing its lack of character development as a key issue. The movie is described as "bland, paint-by-numbers, cookie-cutter, [with] not an original moment throughout" and is said to be "bereft of small details that indicate some connection with the reality of how people talk, think, feel, and behave".

One review points out the inconsistency in the character of Kelsey, a wedding planning novice who speaks with the "jaded voice of long experience". Another review mentions the ""odd casting" and "terrible acting", with "everyone [deciding] that OVERACTING was the way to go"".

The movie's ending is also criticised for being "ridiculous", "preposterous", and "bizarre", with one reviewer saying that "the ending had me groaning in pain". The ending involves the main characters, Kelsey and Connor, getting married after knowing each other for only a few days. This is seen as unrealistic and out of touch with how people behave in reality.

Overall, the lack of character development in 'The Christmas Wedding Planner' contributes to its poor reception and is a significant factor in its low ratings.

Unsatisfactory ending

The ending of "The Christmas Wedding Planner" has been described as ridiculous, bizarre, and preposterous. The film ends with the main character, Kelsey, hijacking her cousin's wedding and marrying Connor, her cousin's ex-boyfriend, whom she has known for only a few days. The abruptness of their relationship and the insensitivity of their wedding venue—the same place where her cousin's wedding was supposed to take place—make the ending highly unsatisfactory for viewers.

The ending is further criticised for its lack of whimsy and wonder in the performances, with the actors failing to lean into the zaniness of the plot twist. The chemistry between the leads is described as "on low-simmer at best", and the film's attempt at a decent joke falls flat due to poor delivery and editing.

The ending also raises questions about Kelsey's career as a wedding planner, which seems to be conveniently forgotten in the rush to marry Connor. The swiftness of their marriage, the lack of genuine emotions, and the bizarre timing of the proposal and wedding all contribute to the unsatisfactory nature of the ending.

The Christmas Wedding Planner's ending has been a significant point of criticism, with viewers expressing disappointment and frustration with the abrupt and insensitive nature of the finale.

Predictable plot

The plot of "Christmas Wedding Planner" is highly predictable. The movie follows a formulaic structure, characteristic of many holiday romance films. The story centres around Kelsey Wilson, a wedding planner who is organizing her cousin Emily's lavish wedding. Kelsey's world is turned upside down when a devilishly handsome private investigator, Connor McClean, shows up. Connor disrupts the upcoming nuptials by revealing that he has been hired to investigate Emily's fiancé, Todd. Despite this, Kelsey and Connor end up working together and develop an attraction. They go through a series of mishaps and challenges, including their suspicions of Todd's behaviour.

As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Connor has a history with Emily, adding another layer of conflict. However, the audience can easily anticipate that Kelsey and Connor will eventually end up together. The big reveal about Todd's secret is also predictable, as it is common in such films to have a plot twist involving the fiancé. The movie culminates in Connor crashing the wedding with information about Todd's misdeeds, and he proposes to Kelsey, who accepts.

While the movie attempts to create tension and romance, the plot is formulaic and follows a familiar pattern. The development of the relationship between Kelsey and Connor, as well as the resolution of the conflict surrounding Todd, are all expected and do not offer any surprising or innovative twists. The movie relies on the familiar tropes of the holiday romance genre, making the plot highly predictable for viewers familiar with such films.

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