User Reviews

It's not bad. And the message is sincere. So it's a really nice Xmas tale. However, some of you may have seen a movie with Nicolas Cage called "The Family Man", in it, Cage had a choice too...whether or not to drop a life of family for a cold lifestyle of unlimited riches and hedonistic pleasures. This is slightly different in that Eggert's Paula is a ball-buster, shallow materialistic witch. This was BEFORE she goes on this journey. To me, it may be too big of a leap of faith to think that her life would've changed all that much, and the "lesson" learned would cause her to bow.

Both stories answer the question. Only one seems to have been bolted in ambiguity. And therefore, more honest.

What I enjoyed a lot is the performances. Paula could destroy a man's will to live. And it would take a man as sincere and morally tough to sustain this "abuse". The man in question is Gary (Bret Anthony) who is a loving husband and a devoted father to two girls. He's EXACTLY what Lifetime movies dream of when it comes to ideal men. He's brow-beaten but still remains so optimistic. Challenges his wife to dance (what woman wouldn't want this?). So why in the world would Paula want anyone else?

Because the grass is always greener. Strip the riches and see the man...and the filmmaker argues, is your choice. No one is bad in this movie. I like that. Paula seems to be her worst enemy. Even as we start to blame her "dream world" husband we realize it isn't him who developed the toxic relationship...it was Paula...it's always been Paula. So we're left to conclude, Gary is a stronger man than we'd suspected in the beginning.

Yes, it's a contrivance. More appreciated during the holiday season. It has a good core with really nice performances. The pre-requisit shopping spree montage is wrangled in. Eggert goes from frumpy Mom with baggy Mom pants to stunning...easily. And it ends the way you want it to.

I quite liked this one. I felt they covered the ground of switching places or making a different choice in your life in a interesting and well done way. The actors all did a good job. I was never bored and I enjoyed this movie. Christmas is more of a plot device than the feeling of Christmas as a whole. Also I like it when movies do not make cliche villains out certain characters. I consider that lazy writing. This movie avoids that.

In my quest to watch every Christmas movie ever made, this was randomly next. Made-for-Lifetime television, it really wasn't that great. Woman switches her hectic, worrisome life with another so that she can realize just how great she had it. You don't need millions of dollars, furs, closetful of shoes and dresses, and a Mercedes when you don't have love. La di frickin' da. How many times has this story been done? On the positive -- Nicole Eggert! (Charles In Charge, Baywatch.) I'd watch anything with her! And it was kind of Christmasy compared to many Made-for-TV Christmas movies. Stupid title, should have at least called it Christmas Switch and it's never explained why she got switched. Eh, whatever. Not recommended.

5.2 / 10

--A Kat Pirate Screener

I didn't like this movie for the sheer fact that the only reason she wanted her family back was when the rich life she chose blew up in her face. She begged her preferred husband to take her back and only when he rejected her did she start yearning after the other husband. When he rejected her because he was faithful to his vows, she showed up at the man's house to proposition him with his wife and children there. Absolutely no class and morals!

Christmas films can go either way, which has been my experience watching overtime the festive output of Lifetime, Hallmark and UPTV. 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. 'Holiday Switch' had the sort of premise that had strong potential of being in the former category, with it being quite interesting.

While not exceeding expectations or completely living up to them, 'Holiday Switch' doesn't waste any potential. It is very charming and engages and moves enough, even if the story and pacing are far from flawless what made me see 'Christmas on the Bayou' (primarily the cast) does not disappoint. It is very easy to dismiss outright the film as sentimental, predictable and plot light, understandably, but given a chance without prejudice one may find themselves pleasantly surprised.

'Holiday Switch's' story is very slight and does drag in the sections where the story is fairly uneventful.

The female lead character is not always easy to get behind, with times where she comes over as on the manipulative side. The Christmas theme is underused in my view.

A lot is done right though. T looks attractive enough. The scenery is both rustic and festive and the photography doesn't look rushed or drab, quite beautiful actually. The music doesn't come over as too melodramatic while still having some presence. The direction is suitably sympathetic on the most part while taking a little time to find its feet. The dialogue is not perfect either but the cheese and sentiment don't go overboard and it generally doesn't come over as stilted.

Furthermore, the story, despite its imperfections, is warm hearted and has a lot of well meaning heart, without taking itself too seriously. The characters interest and are worth investing in, not being too perfect or having flaws too exaggerated. The cast are very good and the ending is touching.

In conclusion, nice enough film. 7/10.

GOD WHYYY.

THIS IS A HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE MOVIE. IT HAS EVERYTHING: LOVE, DRAMA, HORROR. THIS HAS BAD ACTING, A BAD SCRIPT, BAD CINEMATOGRAPHY, EVERYTHING. I HATED PAULA OR PEPPER OR WHATEVER HER NAME WAS. I HAD NO INVESTMENT OR CARE.

DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. YOU WILL FOREVER HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE NIGHTMARES.

Cute movie with a strong message. Money isn't everything if it doesn't make you happy.

This well meaning Christmas film serves every dish and trick in the book but the last 10 minutes are great.

In this film a woman named Paula is married for 18 years to her high school sweet heart. Money is very tight and what make matters worse is the fact that is Christmas. Her husband however is a great guy but she doesn't see it. Money or lack of money is all she see's and blames him for her unhappiness. One day while walking around town she sees a former boyfriend from school. He is rich and successful and has a life that Paula truly wants.

One morning she wakes up and finds herself in an alternate universe. She is now married to her former boyfriend but life is not great in this universe. In this universe she has money but not much else.

Now this movie is worth watching because the last 10 minutes are wonderful.

I found this a heartwarming and fun movie to enjoy during the holiday season. Nicole Eggert is wonderful as a frustrated housewife who yearns for the magic only a former high school flame can recapture. Can't we imagine how our lives might have been different had we married the other crush? Nicole gets this opportunity to explore that luxurious life she's always wanted. Yet the question remains: does it bring her happiness? The set design is lush and colorful. Brett Anthony and Bret Le Bourveau are great as the two competing love interests. Also, her daughters are cute but also realistically depicted as girls who just want their mom to be happy this Christmas, freed from the burdens of debt and financial woes. Truly magical and touching, this quirky, often moving film will have you reaching for the Kleenex by the end. It has sparkle and charm that will whisk you away on an enjoyable journey that only comes once a year!

I usually end up viewing this twice a year. Everyone is very good. The Martina character, in particular, has a lovely heart.

Gary: Reg, don't make me come down off this ladder.

Reg: Whoa, big fella...

What Holiday Switch promises it delivers in a surprisingly warm and generous way. This cable movie was shown in 2007 on Christmas Eve and Christmas Night and will be again this year. This story is entirely original, not relying on the prosaic narratives of Christmas past but creates a modern twist in our love of the material world. "Switch" uses a "what if" scenario to get us to identify with the main character in her search for material perfection. The superlative cast of actors conspire to ask emotionally loaded questions we sometime ask ourselves during this time of year: could I have done better? The production carries this off without hyperbole, so often seen in Christmas fare. The story lets the charged moments speak for themselves as one woman struggles her way back to a life she had rejected. At first, we are charmed by illusion, just as she is, but once we identify with her plight we might find an answer to a question we all asked once before on Christmas.

I can understand if the corny soap opera style of this movie turns people off, but I quite liked it. I think the cast is stellar and they all deliver in their respective roles. There is massive and palpable chemistry between Paula and Gary as well as Paula and Nick. Everyone's personality fully translates into what becomes a fun and heartfelt journey into the life of a mother at Christmas whose "Christmas wish" is for another life. The contrast between her real life and fantasy life makes for an interesting dichotomy. We get to fully witness her transformation from a dowdy lower class mother with plenty to be thankful for to a bitter, haughty wife who has plenty of material wealth but lacks love. Ultimately, this film reveals very powerfully that love is quite literally the missing element that makes for a life worth living. Several parts of this movie read like a budget romance novel, but I would argue that the humanity of the characters really shines through. The exceptional casting and production make this film feel whole and classic.