Christmas in Notting Hill Movie Review (A Hallmark TV Movie)

One of my favorite things about December is watching Christmas movies. And this season I was really excited to see that a bunch of Hallmark Christmas movies are available on Netflix. At least for a little bit! So while I got some work done on my computer today, I watched an adorable Christmas movie about a special education teacher and a professional football star meeting on a whim in London. But to get all the details, you’ll have to read my full Christmas in Notting Hill movie review.

What is Christmas in Notting Hill About?

Famous soccer star, Graham Savoy (Moseley), has always been too busy for love, but when he comes home to Notting Hill for Christmas, he changes his mind after meeting Georgia (Ramos) – a visiting American and the one person who has no idea who he is. Starring Sarah Ramos and William Moseley. (from Hallmark.com)

My Initial Thoughts on Christmas in Notting Hill

I can be picky when it comes to Hallmark movies. I think that’s because I’ve seen so many of them. I’ve come to expect a certain quality when it comes to casting, outfits, scenery, acting, and plot. So with that being said, Christmas in Notting Hill is a movie that I really enjoyed a lot.

Casting was Great

The lead role of American teacher Georgia Bright was played by Sarah Ramos, who I previously enjoyed in Parenthood as well as other guest roles. And professional footballer Graham Savoy was played by William Mosely. I knew I recognized his name and that’s because he played the eldest brother in The Chronicles of Narnia.

I also really enjoyed the actress who played Lizzie, Georgia’s younger sister. She and Sarah had great chemistry and were very believable as sisters. The little dance performance they did in the middle of the movie was very cute. There’s something so special about siblings reuniting for the holidays.

The Wardrobe was Gorgeous

I have something important to say. When Georgia arrives at Lizzie’s flat, Lizzie makes a comment about how Georgia is only traveling with one suitcase. And Georgia says that’s because she plans to borrow some of the fabulous London wardrobe belonging to her sister Lizzie.

And I believe that she did! Georgia wears so many cute coats in this movie that I’m like, there’s no way she could have packed those in her suitcase. I just really loved all the outfit changes. The coats and sweaters the girls wore in this movie were so perfect for the holiday season. Even their Dad’s Hawaiian shirt made for a funny part in the movie.

You can always count on Hallmark Channel movies to have a cute aesthetic and I felt that this movie definitely made the mark!

The Scenery

There were a lot of cool backgrounds to look at in this movie. In the beginning, we see the stadium where Graham plays soccer (I mean, football! lol). And there’s the Christmas market that Georgia and Lizzie go to. I went to a Christmas market in Philadelphia once and it was so fun to look at all of the different stands and drink hot coco.

Plus there’s a cool bar (I mean pub) where they all hang out. And the Christmas carnival towards the end of the movie! This movie really had it all when it comes to Christmas activities.

Pop Culture References

The script of this movie felt very “hip”, if you will. Their Dad makes a reference to Ted Lasso at one point, which is about a man who coaches a soccer team similar to the one Graham is on. Even Graham, the famous soccer player was like yep! That’s what it’s like. Plus I loved the banter between Georgia and Lizzie when they were at home, just hanging out.

The Plot

Georgia goes to London to spend the Christmas holiday with her younger sister. Georgia’s sister has become very close with her boyfriend’s family, so they’ve invited Lizzie’s family to have a traditional English Christmas with them. But when Georgia and Lizzie are shopping one day at the Christmas market, Lizzie gets called into work. When Georgia literally runs into Graham and her drink spills on herself, he invites her back to his parents house to get cleaned up.

Georgia thanks him for his kindness and leaves, assuming that the two will never see each other again. But they keep being brought back together in ways that neither of them expect.

Christmas in Notting Hill is Funny & Heartfelt

​I know my Christmas in Notting Hill movie review has been mostly positive so far, and that’s just because I really enjoyed it.

I felt that this movie really did a good job of addressing family issues, but also had a humor. Georgia and Lizzie have a real conversation at the pub where Georgia points out to Lizzie that she didn’t realize what a serious relationship she was in. And I felt that was very realistic. When you get older and you live apart from your siblings and friends, it’s hard to stay as close as you once were. That was a tough scene to watch but it’s something that a lot of people will relate to.

Meanwhile, the funniest scene in the movie to me was when Georgia and Graham were trying to switch everyone around for Secret Santa. Graham’s brother wanted to have Lizzie so that he would be able to propose to her and Graham and Georgia really had to work hard to make that happen. Just that scene alone is enough for me to highly recommend this holiday tv movie.

My Final Thoughts

I thought this was a really cute Christmas themed romantic comedy. It made me laugh out Georgia had no idea who Graham was for so long. He’s doing his best to not cause a scene when they are out and about (because sports fans always spot him) and she was just totally oblivious. It made me laugh how Georgia thought that Christmas crackers were literally crackers with Santa’s face on them. She was lucky she ran into Graham at the coffee shop and he was able to bring her up to speed on that Christmas tradition.

This movie has a lot of funny and cute moments, and I think rom-com lovers will find this movie very charming. The romance between Graham and Georgia is sweet, and the rest of the family made me smile. This is a good movie to watch if you’re a hallmark fan and are looking for something new to watch this Christmas. I always enjoy watching Sarah Ramos and the supporting cast in this hallmark channel Christmas movie.

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