Christmas With You Review: Aimee Garcia’s film is formulaic and blandly obsolete

Title: Christmas With YouDirector: Gabriela Tagliavini Cast: Aimee Garcia, Freddie Prinze Jr. , Deja Monique Cruz, Gabriel Sloyer, Zenzi Williams, Socorro Santiago, Lawrence J. Huges, Nicolette Stephanie TemplierStreaming on: NetflixRating: **1/2There is something about kisses under the mistletoe, fulfilled Christmas wishes, and snowflakes.

Being instant mood boosters, they add the right amount of sparkle to romance films that release during the festive season, which is usually packed with family dramas and romance films. This film blends both a family drama and romance with equal measure. It is sweet and charming but blandly obsolete and formulaic in its portrayal of romance.

The plot revolves around Angelina (Aimee Garcia), a fading pop star in New York City. Depressed on several accounts and constantly reminded that she is no longer relevant, Angelina finds it hard to deliver her creative best. Her insecurities are further shaken when her label manager Barry (Lawrence J.

Hughes), gives her an ultimatum to come up with a new Christmas-themed number. Meanwhile, Cristina (Deja Monique Cruz), a fifteen-year-old, school-going fan of Angelina, in order to boost her Instagram account, posts a rendition of Angelina’s hit track with a comment suggesting it would be nice if she could meet the pop star in person. This post catches Angelina’s attention.

With her feisty assistant Monique (Zenzi Williams) in tow, Angelina on an impulse decides to visit Cristina at her home to seek solace and renew her seasonal spirit, much to the dismay of her narcissistic boyfriend Ricardo (Gabriel Sloyer) with whom she pretends to still be in a relationship. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Review: A mixed bag of engaging dramaBut a snowstorm forces Angelina and Monique to stay at Cristina’s home in a small town. They are locked in with the teen’s widowed father, Miguel (Freddie Prinze Jr.

), an equally talented music teacher and struggling songwriter, and her spitfire grandmother Frida (Socorro Santiago). How Angelina puts her career on track and finds love forms the crux of this romance. Technically the film is astutely mounted, but the performances lack the chutzpah that’s because the characters are cardboard thin and poorly etched.

Deja Monique Cruz is natural and endearing, and so is Zenzi Williams. Freddie Prinze Jr. , who made his last ‘Scooby-Doo’appearance 18 years ago, is far from convincing.

Uunchai Review: Sooraj R Barjatya’s film surpasses everything that Rajshri is known for, even the lengthSimilarly, Aimee Garcia as the waning performer seems to be herself, casually performing her role. On the other hand, Socorro Santiago and Gabriel Sloyer appear forced in their over-the-top acting. The script blends a fair amount of Latin American culture, music, and vocabulary into the dialogues to broaden its emotional impact, but all this seems superficial and forced.

In the end, the film ignites the curiosity level of its viewers by paying tribute to a mysterious person. This will surely make you explore Google. Thai Massage Review: Gajraj Rao’s film breaks stereotypes but with limitations.