Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime and Hallmark. They can either be well-meaning, charming, warm-hearted and don't feel too heavy. Or they can be too over-sentimental, cheesy, contrived and bland. There have been many films of theirs that have fallen in both camps and in the camp where there is a bit of both. And 'Feliz Navidad' did have the sort of premise where the execution could have gone either way.
Luckily, for me, on the most part, 'Feliz Navidad' is in the former category. As far as Lifetime's uneven but generally not bad 2020 Christmas output goes, 'Feliz Navidad' is one of the better ones and interesting for it being directed by Melissa Joan Hart (have always liked her as an actress and had no idea she could direct). It's not great or perfect, with a few story issues, but the performances, upbeatness and charm more than compensate and help make it very enjoyable.
'Feliz Navidad' doesn't succeed in every area. There are moments of overdone comedy and occasional over-talkiness in the more dramatic moments. The conflict could have done with more tension, was very rushed and really didn't buy too the too abrupt and too easy way the film ended the main conflict.
Also did find the music repetitive and really did pine for much more variety in the music choices. Hearing "Feliz Navidad" the number of times it featured felt like overkill, it is a fun song but is used heavy-handedly here.
However, 'Feliz Navidad' does benefit from the acting. Mario Lopez and AnnaLynne McCord are very engaging and easy to relate to leads, Lopez especially is funny, charming and affecting in equal measure. Paulina Chavez gives a heartfelt performance and a contender for the best child performance of Lifetime's 2020 Christmas output. The chemistry between Lopez and McCord was genuine and had wit too, while Lopez and Chavez have a bond that was quite moving to watch. Hart directs sympathetically while still giving the drama momentum.
It looks attractive, especially the scenery which at its best is picturesque. Most of the comedy is genuinely funny and the drama on the whole is poignant and not too sentimental. The dialogue flows well on the whole and doesn't come over as too cheesy or soapy. The story is very sincere and heart-warming, as well as upbeat in its energy. The characters are worth caring for all the way through and the acting is to primarily thank for that.
Overall, not great but nicely done. 7/10.
