Lexie, played by Jana Kramer, returns to her Texas hometown and faces unresolved grudges with her family, while attempting to convince a local rancher, Coby to sell his ranch to investors her company represents. Coby is a single father of a girl, abandoned by his ex, if I understood correctly, and stubbornly opposed to selling. Overall, the story follows expected patterns to a renewed family understanding and romance, sweet or sappy in differently expressed opinions. While the plot is not innovative, it has its good moments and could have run as a reasonably pleasing drama. What makes it limpy are a number of incongruences, some already pointed out by other reviewer. In the attempt to spice up an otherwise sappy story, the production flaunts more explicit sexual content and even a bland sexual scene. I do not have a problem with either, though, once included, the sexual sequence could have been more intensely romantic. The problem is that these elements seem forced, and muddle the story, rather than adding to it. The psychology of the lead characters becomes schizophrenic.
Lexie starts out as a woman who picks up a stranger in a bar, throwing herself for a one-night stand, and, soon later, in the process of getting laid mumbles: "Merry Christmas to me". Then immediately transforms into a selfless, loving Christmas angel, ready for a life of commitment. Coby begins resisting the lures of a strong attraction, stating that is not a one-and-done kind of guy, just to go for it a day later, deciding that you-are-here-now is a good enough concept. Clearly, this is realistic and it would be quite appropriate in a different kind of movie. Yet, how to reconcile this mundanity with the sudden change into a fairy tale finale? Should a single dad, with strong reason to protect his daughter, and should the viewers believe a one-night-stand woman to be a credible choice for a devoted wife and stepmother? The movie tries to be too many things. A well told, realistic story of sexual attraction sounds fine. A Christmas-y sentimental fantasy would have its merits. You just cannot mix them both, half-baked, and make them believable.
In the process, none is developed well and values and messages are contradictory, when not confused. Somehow, I feel relieved that,this year, Lifetime has drastically cut down its involvement with Christmas productions.
