Picture a Perfect -or just okay- Christmas | C

Hallmark Channel Premiere | November 9, 2019

I'm not meddling; I just think you need to dump your boyfriend and marry the neighbor who looks like Brooks - or Dunn - I never have learned which is which

In this movie, Sophie is a professional photographer based out of San Francisco who takes a Christmas break to visit her grandma in suburbia. She meets the neighbor, David, who is desperately searching for a new nanny for his nephew Troy. Sophie agrees to watch Troy, and she embarks on a Christmas journey of tree-decorating, cookie-making, and pageant-attending. Sophie has an awful boyfriend, and David's great, so we all know how this will end.

"I saw the light/ I've been baptized/ By the fire in your touch/ and the flame in your eyes"

This movie was just okay. I had high hopes after the first 20 minutes or so, but then it lost me. I wouldn't delete it from your DVR, but you might want to have some presents to wrap or cards to address while you watch.

Hallmark gets an A on: meddling grandma; child actor; lackluster current boyfriend; cute first meeting; Merritt Patterson;

Hallmark gets a D on: wardrobe (why does she only tuck in the front of her shirt?); confusing breakup (not only did it happen with one full hour left in the movie, but I'm not completely certain that they broke up); David's ex-girlfriend, who gives new meaning to the phrases passive-aggressive and backhanded compliment

Grade: C

* Note Grading Scale:

A = This is seriously a good movie. It will remain on my DVR for the season.

B = Totally exceeded my expectations. I'm happy to recommend.

C = This is an average Hallmark movie. Good holiday fun.

D = I'm disappointed... but I watched it. Why not?

F = I actually had a hard time getting through this one. And that says a lot.