Not So Royal Christmas (2023 Hallmark)
📺. Stream/Watch the Movie (Ad): Watch or Stream via Hallmark Movies Now
Cast: Brooke D’Orsay, Will Kemp
Director: Jonathan Wright
➡️ Check out our Youtube Channel: Lifetime Uncorked: Lifetime Movie Reviews
🎧 Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast: Listen Now
🍷 Support the show with a $5 tip: https://ko-fi.com/patrickserrano
My Acting Coach Nightmare Lifetime Movie, Shakespeare, and Erik von Detten ? – Lifetime Uncorked
- My Acting Coach Nightmare Lifetime Movie, Shakespeare, and Erik von Detten ?
- Hunting House Wives, NeNe Leakes, and Andy Cohen?
- Tall Dark and Dangerous 2024 Lifetime, Eric Roberts never says no, and Tom Sandoval?
- Ty Trumbo Lifetime Movie Interview, Dying for Fame, and Water ski date?
- Dying for Fame 2024 Lifetime, Influencer culture, and Dylan Raine?
- Silent Night, Fatal Night LMN 2023, Holiday Thrillers, and Matthew Pohlkamp?
- The Holiday Proposal Plan Lifetime Movie 2023, Tatyana Ali, and Holiday Traditions Around the World?!
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Hallmark)
Tabloid journalist Charlotte attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count. In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie begins with a tour of the Count’s castle. It is the only one they have had all holiday season because the Count is a recluse. The groundskeeper, Adam, works on decorating the castle for Christmas. While working, he finds a gold medal with the royal insignia.
Charlotte works for a trashy tabloid and wants to become a REAL journalist. She recently has gone through a breakup and is assigned to learn more about the mysterious Count. Her patronizing boss bets he will give Charlotte a raise if she gets an interview with the Count.
Charlotte stays at a bed and breakfast, and the owner, Trina, tells her that her daughter, Kristen, works for the palace. Charlotte books a tour ASAP. On the tour, she finds Adam playing Christmas music on the piano. He drops the medallion, and she mistakes him for the Count. Adam roles with it. She snaps a picture of him before getting kicked out.
The Count’s staff asks Adam why Charlotte thinks he is the Count, and he gives back the medallion before being sent back to work. The estate board thinks this could be publicity because Adam is hot, and they ask him to pretend to be the Count and do the interview.
Adam goes to a mini Count boot camp and undergoes a makeover. (Which is just contacts and a center part)
Charlotte conducts an interview and asks hard questions, like why he has stopped making public appearances since his father’s death. Sir Gustous sits in on the interview and reports back to the board, who want to keep the rouse going.
Later, at a bar, Adam sees Charlotte and tries to sneak out, making even more of a scene. He lies and says his glasses and messy hair are a disguise and his friend Jensen is his security. Charlotte is happy to spend casual time with Adam. She almost admits to Adam that she doesn’t work for a prestigious magazine but really works for a gossip rag.
A paparazzi photo shows up online, and Adam is publicly identified as the Count. Charlotte’s editor, Tony, is the one who took the picture and learns about the lie she has been telling.
The King sees the picture as well and calls Adam. They converse on speakerphone and plan to continue to have Adam serve as the Count. Adam agrees only if his mother can make the deserts for the Julebole, an annual holiday event.
Adam meets the King and Queen and learns about Lars, the real Count. He refused the title to marry an American. Adam feels like his job is done with the interview, but they want him to host the Yuletide ball. Adam agrees to open up the ball to the public and insists on using local vendors. The local economy has been booming since the handsome Count was received.
Tony releases another article, and Adam realizes that Charlotte works for a gossip magazine. They throw her out of the castle. Charlotte is upset with Tony for publishing her article, and she quits.
Charlotte visits Adam’s mom’s bakery and offers to help randomly. It is just a plot device for her to learn that Adam is the baker’s son. She confronts Adam, and he tells her that he likes her. She says she liked him, but he is a LIAR. (I think they both are liars.)
It is time for the Yuletide Ball, where Charlotte and Adam will kiss and make up. Adam is about to make an announcement to the whole party when Charlotte walks in a (pretty?) dress. Adam admits he is not the Count and was pretending for a press interview. He tells them he loves the town and everyone in it… including Charlotte!
They apologize to one another while doing a waltz. They laugh about whose lie was worse. Adam plans to stay in town, and Charlotte is switching professions to a HISTORY PROFESSOR? I missed something.
Adam becomes an honorary Count, so everything is all good! They kiss. The end!
Note/Stray Thoughts
Interesting Royal TV Movie twist. I thought we were going Prince and Pauper. Glad it didn’t go that route.
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
📺. Stream/Watch the Movie (Ad):
➡️ Check out our Youtube Channel: Lifetime Uncorked: Lifetime Movie Reviews
🎧 Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast: Listen Here
🍷 Support the show/blog with a $5 tip: https://ko-fi.com/patrickserrano
Inquiries | podcast@lifetimeuncorked.com
🍾 Your Support is appreciated. Donate today to keep the website going! Thank you.
*Photo Credit: © 2023 Hallmark
I thought it might be fine, since I like the main actors, although Brooke not so much
The script was bad, especially the end where the king wants him to still be count, and he says only if he doesn’t have to obey any rules, can live where he wants, and can date who he wants. So lane. I gave it a 5 on IMDb, which means it was a waste of 2 hours.
Will Kemp is a much better actor than the script would suggest. I felt embarrassed for him.