Release Date: November 22, 2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: 90 minutes

Susan Bell (Jaime Ray Newman, “Drop Dead Diva”) has devoted her life to helping others, but rarely thinks about helping herself. This year, however, the tables will turn on the single mom and recent widower when a local radio station takes over her love life following an innocent call from her eight year old son. And, whether she likes it or not, Susan is under the mistletoe in this unforgettable holiday treat!

Under the Mistletoe is a Christmas movie that I wouldn’t necessarily say lifts up the spirits right away. After the loss of Susan’s husband and Jonathan’s dad, there is quite a strained relationship with mother and son which only gets worse around the holidays. Susan’s grieving style has no room for her son’s, who can see his father and talk to his father whenever his ghost, if you will, decides to show up. The supernatural element reeled me in just as I was about to quit on this film. Good timing. With Susan shutting out love, neither Susan or her late husband can move on with their lives. So with the help of Jonathan and one of Susan’s friends, a radio contest helps Susan find her true love.

It takes awhile for Susan to open up to the possibility of trusting her son and taking a chance on love but once she does, there’s something to smile about. I was not expecting the twist with one of the radio show contestants to take place, so that was a fun surprise. But even then, Susan’s selfish ways (once grief, now love) almost prevent her from listening to her son (her voice of reason) who sheds the light on this twist. If the character of Susan wasn’t too stubborn and selfish for her own good, perhaps this film would have been more enjoyable. Because Jonathan was more likable and engaging, I came to see him as the real lead of the film. He held it together.

All that said though, it still just isn’t enough to make the cut of one of my annual Christmas movie screenings. Plus, it attempts to bring God into the picture but it’s presence is far too delicate to bring depth to this element in the way that it should be appreciated. The balance of themes and tones is all wrong here and in general is far too heavy for a Christmas film anyway. This is not Lifetime’s best but I have a feeling it isn’t the worst.

There are no Bonus Features on this DVD.

Own Under the Mistletoe on DVD November 22, 2011.