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Love You Like Christmas (2016)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets Wassail.
A high-powered marketing professional from the big city ends up in small town America only to meet a widower with the cutest little girl ever! I know this movies plot is unique and totally different than all other Hallmark Christmas movies-no-all other Hallmark movies (yeah, right!), but it is packaged with enough charm to make it one of my favorites for this year! The lead actor was seemed refreshingly authentic and genuine. The plot didn't make you think, just let you feel the heartwarming splendor that Hallmark Christmas should be.
While driving to Denver for a client's wedding in an old Mustang...brakes! What? Driving from New York to Denver in the middle of winter in an old Mustang? That is literally insanity! Nobody does that! Ever! But, alas, Hallmark decides to make their main actress scared of flying, so the road trip begins. After being stuck in a traffic jam after a truck load of Christmas trees scatters the freeway, Maddie Duncan (Bonnie Somerville) ends up almost hitting a Caribou callously referred to as a reindeer. *hint, they are not the same, she runs her collector Mustang into a guardrail.
What happens next is so unpredictable. The body shop in Christmas Valley, Ohio, orders the wrong part, and delay after delay forces the city girl to spend much of the holidays there. Widower enter stage left!
I'm not going to ruin this for you! But when Maddie endures herself to the small town, and the small town to Maddie, fondness grows and romance begins to twinkle. Until...the boss demands her to go back to New York! And *spoiler alert* she goes! But, will she stay? I bet you can't guess the ending!
A Shoe Addict's Christmas (2018)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets Fudge without nuts!
Starring the Queen of Christmas, Candace Cameron-Bure, this show involves-spoiler alert-a lover of shoes. But wait! A clever twist brings in a guardian angel who acts as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future! That's right, folks, nothing says Hallmark Christmas like mixing the Charles Dicken's classic with a shoe addiction. Truly made for the holidays!
That's not all! Hold on to your hats (shoes?) because an chance run-in with a quirky firefighter named Jake (Luke Macfarlane) has Noelle (Cameron-Bure) questioning the purpose of life! Should she continue her career path, or be a photographer? Will the believably odd Jake light a fire (see what I did there?) in Noelle (seriously Hallmark, of all names!)? Would the stars align and bring the two together for the all important fire fighter gala?
Honestly, as bizarre as this plot sounds, we really liked it. Guardian Angel Charlie (Jean Smart) was wacky, bizarre, and unconventional. She was also funny, and really made the part come alive.
We liked the show! We would recommend the show! We aren't supporters of addictions of any kind; however, we thought this was a cute show worth the time.
Christmas Homecoming (2017)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Thank you to all who serve!"
When a wounded soldier rents a studio apartment from a grieving widow, whose own soldier husband was lost in action, emotions begin to become conflicted.
Generally, my reviews are ridiculous and nowhere close to being serious. However, I do not mess around with the sacrifices our military personnel make on our behalf.
I watched this movie precisely because of the military based plot. It's a Hallmark...but, the movie did well enough to weave in the hurt and grief of those who served and lost friends and loved ones, from multiple angles.
It isn't the best show, but it is a good one to teach little kids about those who serve and the pain that accompanies it, whether they come home or not.
Merry Christmas to the real heroes, who sacrifice so much everyday to preserve our freedoms!
Operation Christmas Drop (2020)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Fun in the Sun and Happy Hearts"
This Netflix 2020 premier is underrated and undersold. Don't take the IMDB rating too seriously.
When an ambitious staffer to a crotchety congresswoman is ordered to give a full body cavity search to the military base on Guam in efforts to force its closure, ambitions collide.
A hot shot pilot with a heart for Christmas defends the activities of the base and goes toe-to-toe with Erica, the DC aid hoping to become chief-of-staff. Andrew, the pilot, takes his assignment to show Erica the base to heart, and between surfing and snorkeling, starts to win her over.
That is, until events occur that threaten the very premise of the movie. Everything you believe, know, or come to expect from a Hallmark movie is front and center. Alas, this is not a Hallmark, but a Netflix original, as the studio seeks to break into the Christmas market with another quality flick.
Operation Christmas Drop is based on real events that happen every year. The longest running Department of Defense humanitarian airlift operation, OCD started in 1952 when an Air Force crew saw some islanders waiving at them from a little remote island. The crew dropped some gifts and supplies using parachutes.
Today, OCD involves more than 50 islands. In 2019, the Air Force delivered 176 bundles of school supplies, rice, clothing, fishing supplies including nets, toys to more than 20,000 natives. They did so in cooperation with Australia and Japan.
The Christmas Ring (2020)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Treasures of Love"
There once was love. And then there wasn't.... But then there was, and then more was found, unfound, and found again.
This love/lost-love switch-em-up is a heart warming tale of mystery and romance. When Kenda, an aspiring journalist stuck at a gossip site doing lists of Top 10 things, or "Which Reindeer Are You?" finds a ring with a mysterious engraving she makes it her Christmas mission to find its history and return it to its owner. Like Gollum by in reverse.
When Kendra arrives at yet another charming small town decked to the gills with all things Chrimbus, she soon finds more than she bargains for...a bittered love-scorned bachelor.
This Hallmark, unlike any other, is about unsuspecting love, and just when Kendra and David the Architect fall in love things turn for the worse. Only this time it isn't Kendra's fault. It's the fault of her over-reaching and overeager journalist clickbait boss who changes Kendra's story and ruins love.
This movie is charming and worth the watch. I'm surprised it isn't rated a little bit better. The choice of actors/actresses was suspect, but the plot was original and full of intrigue and mystery. After all, who doesn't want to spend 1.5 hours trying to track down a depression era ring with an engraving???
Merry Christmas My Precious!
The Christmas Bow (2020)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Perma-Smiles"
Once there were three Hallmark Queens. Now there are two (RIP Laurie Loughlin). And while we generally focus on the leading ladies of Hallmark, recently there have been some familiar faces on the men's side of the equation.
Starring Michael Rady (Christmas at Pemberley Manor) as Patrick, the thoughtful and altruistic physical therapist who does more than heal the injured hand of a violin virtuoso. He also heals....hearts!
When Kate (Lucia Micarelli) has a freak, unbelievable accident that dashes her chances of playing in the Denver philharmonic orchestra, lives are ruined, dreams dashed, and will to live destroyed. But, when Patrick meats Kate, things begin to change.
Can love heal bones or do they simply have to heal on their own? This question and more leaves you with a feeling of wonder as you internalize the Holiday Spirit. Or, is the Holiday Spirit externalizing you?
"Aaah," you say! Close your lips mouth-breather! This is serious stuff and when Kate begins to sing like an old church choir grandma, Christmas begins to heal fractures. And this, while every actor and actresses have weird prolonged shots of smiling. Like all the time.
I'll give it to the lead actress. She is a great violinist and just got into acting. Maybe since I'm a real badass I can act in a Hallmark too? It would be my dream come true. I also can be spied upon by my romantic interest as I'm approached by my ex who tries to force a lip lock on me. You know the story....
This one is definitely worth a watch, but only on that night when you are feeling nostalgic about family and future.
Chateau Christmas (2020)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Tickling Ivory"
Hallmark is spending this Covid-19 Christmas by creating endless movies about musicians who have lost their passion for music only to find it again through love and Christmas trees.
Like A Christmas Bow this movie puts your heart and mind on cruise control. When it's over you are left feeling pretty good, almost like that last dose of Fentanyl at the ER as you recover from shoulder reconstruction. Oh wait, that was me two nights ago.
Luke McMuffin, I mean Luke MacFarlane, stars in this film. His character, a professor vying for music department chair at the local institute of higher edumakation is out of place for him. Half the movie he is wearing the same taupe sweater. The other half he looks like a construction worker. But, he makes up for it with his horrendous fake cello playing.
All aside this Hallmark is predictable. Generally I have raving reviews. This one just isn't inspiring me to do much of anything. It wasn't bad at all. It just wasn't memorable. Still worth a watch...just not a second one.
If I Only Had Christmas (2020)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Lions, and Tigers, and Bears"
No matter how good they are, Hallmark movies, especially Christmas movies are always rated a 6.5. At first I was offended, and then I realized that is on par with every Tom Cruise movie ever made. This settled my nerves a bit.
I'm not going to lie. I was excited to watch this flick starring the Queen of Hallmark herself, Mrs. Candy Caramel Baguettes (Candace Cameron Bure). Yes, we actually have a name for her based on nothing in particular. But, name aside, she gets respect. She churns out movies and mysteries like a southern moonshiner his liquor.
This movie was refreshing. It was a break from a Jane Austin spinoff. In this gem we follow Wizard of Oz.
Bure plays Darcy, a Public Relations spinmaster specialist who works with a company to improve their charitable foundation's image. Full of mishaps and foot-in-mouth experiences, Darcy realizes she isn't in Kansas anymore. Yes, literally, Darcy lives in Kansas City, Kansas. Her family dog, Bobo (not Toto). She works for Gumm Public Relations. Coincidently, Judy Garlands real name was Francis Ethel Gumm. Upon arrival at the foundation, Darcy meets three characters who *spoiler* line up with the scarecrow, tin man, and lion. She works with Glen and slowly convinces him to trust her hairbrained ideas.
The rating on this movie is probably right on. It is a feel good movie with the Wizard of Oz theme that makes it familiar. It was quite messy in some places and not one you are going to recommend to your in-laws....or maybe it is...I don't know your in-laws.
Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow (2015)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "What just happened????"
The kids were in bed on time for once and me and the wife settled down to our first Christmas movie of the season. We opened the Hallmark Movies Now app on the old ROKU and clicked the first thing we saw. Dang, I hate being wrong.
This little lump of coal was 1 hour and 23 minutes that is impossible for me to get back. Add the 10 minutes for this review and that is some serious loss of productivity. The saving grace is that is was time with my wife, full of laughter, puzzlement, and a perplexed wonder at who the heck Debbie Macomber was and why did she think this was a good idea for a movie?
Serious, the move is made for TV and Not Rated, which could have been translated to Not Watchable.
The movie stars Meghan Ory, who since the movie went on to star as Abby O'Brien in the ever delighted family TV saga, Chesapeake Shores. We love this series and thought it would be interesting to see Meghan play a role besides the uptight, business savvy single mom. I'll be honest. She wasn't the problem in this flick, although her fake laugh makes us laugh because it is so bad. She was quirky and charming albeit with split personalities, morphing from a serious get-what-I-want person into a ditzy full grown woman with the IQ of a dumbbell.
The plot starts out before Christmas, where Ory's character, Ashley Jane Harrison is forced to "plan B" when her flight is cancelled. She rents a car with perfect stranger, Dash Sutherland (played by Andrew W. Walker), who happens to be an undercover FBI agent. Convenient, since Ashley has been targeting by said FBI as an international asset undertaking a Christmas espionage.
If that's not enough, the FBI field office is involved tracking the pair, a different agent is dispatched to tail Ashley and her driving FBI agent companion. Trouble occurs along the way as a pair of devious street youths throw a wrinkle into the plan, which has the effectiveness of not being relevant at all and wasting 15 minutes of film time. I'm positive these misguided youths are the directors nephews or something, because it really didn't need to happen...But, hey, neither did this film.
The plot contained so many unnecessary elements. How it was rated 6.6/10 is beyond me. I'm guessing it is only because of an involved puppy, which is yet another ridiculous addition that makes no sense.
How does this end up? Like the Bourne series, I was on the edge of my seat, only to be let down by an ending as preposterous as the rest of the film.
Conveniently, in 2020 there was a seeming remake called Dashing Home for Christmas that I plan to check out later this year.
The Christmas Train (2017)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Chug-a-chug-chug"
Christmas and cynical do not match, but that is the battle that takes place on this Christmas Train! When a morose journalist takes a train from D. C. to L. A. things start happening. A clepto, a fortune teller, and Max Powers (Danny Glover) all make this Hallmark Hall of Fame something to enjoy.
The cast has several noticeables including Dermot Mulroney, who plays the main actor Tom, Danny Glover, and Joan Cusack as Agnes (think School of Rock quirky principal).
The plot is lovely and will endure the season. Tom rides a train home to LA for Christmas. Also on the train, unbeknownst to him is former flame Eleanor (Kimberly Williams-Paisley). Because it's a Hallmark, no spoiler here, the old flame because an ash pile and then emerges as a glorious phoenix as love is kindled and reborn!
The rail (get it? Not road!) is wrought with hiccups and laughs along the way.
A Holiday in Harlem (2021)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Mac N Cheese"
The claim that Hallmark simply regurgitates plots is in for a treat. Big city girl goes back to rural America to rekindle an old love flame this is NOT! No Ma'am, this flick goes straight to the big city and takes place in Harlem (actually filmed in Connecticut).
My problem with this movie is not the cast. It isn't even the plot. It's just that it feels really awkward to have Hallmark make a Christmas movie about the plight of inner city Harlem. The recipe that Hallmark uses is Granny's old recipe. And with Granny's old recipe, why mess with it? You don't! Ever! Hallmark is trying to be something it's not here...plain and simple. And it's meatloaf you don't want to eat....
The cast has some adorable moments, but the film editing was sub-par and distracting.
I'm just glad grandma, Mama Belle, hurt her Achilles tendon at the hands of the powerful executive, Jazmin. This required said Jazmin to stay in town to help throw the Christmas Jamboree. And who does she have to to work with? It just so happens *spoiler alert* that it is her old best friend Caleb.
Granny Mama Belle prods Jazmin on the feelings of the heart, and a battle with the head commences. Will Jazmin take the promotion as "Vice President of North America"? Or will she follow her heart and end up with Caleb?
Honestly, apart from the weirdness of Hallmark being in Harlem, this wasn't the worst flick in the world...I just won't watch it again.
Christmas at Castle Hart (2021)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Unsettling Mistake"
The Queen of Hallmark triad took a huge hit when Lori Laughlin went to prison. The two remaining queens, Ms. Candace Cameron-Bure, and Ms. Lacy Chabert.
Two sisters, recently forced into unemployment, decide at the last second to go to Ireland of all places for the holidays.
What ensues is a debacle of espionage and lies packaged with intended folksy charm. Like many other Hallmark movies, the down-on-her-luck girl is "forced" into an alter-ego by a desperate case of opportunity.
Chabert's character, Brooke Bennett and her sister Margot Bennet (Ali Hardiman), meet Aiden Hart (Stuard Townsend), the Earl of Glaslough, a title he inherited but is hesitant to assume.
Castle Hart, the estate home of the Earl, is throwing a holiday party, but *GASP* the even planners are unable. Left with no one else, the girls suddenly become front-and-center, as they volunteer their experience as event planners. But are they actually event planners? No!
Follow Brooke and Aiden as they gallivant around the countryside on trusty steeds in the middle of winter and with a dusting of snow. Picture a scene from Man from Snowy River with a Hallmark layer and Cold War era identity theft.
What happens at the end? Does the secret end with the credits, or will the dames be exposed? If you know Hallmark, the conflict comes with exposure, and the viewer is left to anticipate the resolution.
My problem with this movie is not the plot. It's that the plot carried on too long. How can Act III-The Resolution be believable if the whole entire movie was built on a lie. Lies, and damned lies at Christmas nonetheless!
I'll be honest. I get excited with the potential of a higher quality Hallmark whenever the Queens of Hallmark appear. However, the magic of this flick was forced upon us with the Ireland tie in, ideas of royalty, and a beautiful Christmas party. However, the plot needed the conflict sooner...the lack of integrity going on soooo long into the movie hindered my ability to enjoy it!
Twas the Night Before Christmas (2022)
On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Nose like a cherry!"
This film had so much potential and a great plot but in the end it was just...so...disappointing.
A former actress, get this, goes back to her small town and heads up the town's annual Christmas Eve play. I know, super original already. But where things go up a level is that the play is a courtroom production debating who actually authored the poem "A Visit from St. Nick".
This is such a cool concept and the actors were actually really good. Essentially, the spirits of Major Henry Livingston, Jr. (played by Richard Waugh) and Clement Clarke Moore (played by Shaun Austin-Olsen) come back to the court room to argue their cases. They are really good and play their characters admirably. But, there isn't enough of them. They should have been the centerpiece, not the kind of afterthought they ended up as.
Let by Torrey DeVitto playing main character Madison (she looks so much like Mandy Moore to me), the story unfolds with surprising stage twists, turns, and of course, rekindled romance. It will leave a smile on your face and also a puzzled look at the same time. Only because the build up led to a let down at the end. But it was fresh, and original, and sucked you in. Mixed emotions? Yeah, totally. But, still worth a see!
Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Chuckles and Sugarplums!"
Update: Introducing children to the magic of Hallmark is a proud and sentimental moment. So, after some of them showed interest, my wife & I decided this was the one to start them on! And, it was even more funny the second time. This is truly one of the greatest Hallmark holiday movies ever. Definitely Top 10!
The storyline is original. Three men of differing talents are called upon to watch a baby left to them by an unknown stranger. The creative genius in this should not be understated!
This is one of Hallmark's highest rated shows at 7.8/10 and it deserves it! Its comedic timing is spot on, its actors are great, and the pace is good.
Starring two Hallmark well-known actors in Tyler Hynes (Always Amore, My Christmas Family Tree, On the 12th Date of Christmas) and Andrew Walker (A Maple Valley Christmas, Merry & Bright) this film is...quirky.
Walker's character Luke is a local firefighter. At the station one evening he mysteriously finds a baby with a note, imploring him to take care of the baby. His brothers Stephen (Paul Campbell) and Taylor (Tyler Hynes) are each loveable and inept. Stephen is an anxious pet therapist with a phobia of public speaking and Tayler is a recently fired video game developer who is nothing short of a condescending jerk.
Spoiler Alert....they all live in their mom's basement!
And now, they must all take care of this infant left to them.
A heartwarming tale of survival, this movie is loaded with character development, twists and turns, a horrendous nativity reenactment, and the most adorable baby!
Easily our favorite film this holiday season, Hallmark brought the goods with this one and hit a home run! A must watch this year and for years to come!
A Dickens of a Holiday! (2021)
Rating: On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "God bless us every one!"
UPDATE: We liked this one so much we watched it again this year and it was even better the 2nd time around!
I'm going to be honest...though Marley may be dead as a doornail, which is still presumably the truth, whomever rated this a 7.3/10 on IMDB should be given a lump of coal for Christmas at best, and left to freeze in the snow at worst.
This rating is such an insult to this film, which happens to be in my top 3 of all-time. Led by the underappreciated Kristoffer Polaha (Haul out the Holly, Mystery 101, and others) who plays a major action movie actor trying to break out of the type cast like Tom Cruise never could. (forget A Few Good Men, Jerry McGuire, and all the others...). Polaha's character Jake goes back home on a Hail Mary from Cassie (played by Brooke D'Orsay) his old high school crush.
The plot is charming. Cassie is tasked with heading up the community A Christmas Carol play for the 100th anniversary of the towns Victorian Christmas celebration. The town, conveniently named Dickens, is quaint, and full of loveable characters.
When Jake decides to give Scrooge a try things are set in motion that nobody could anticipate. Things that threaten to derail the play, ruin love, and destroy Christmas traditions.
Seriously though, I'm a huge Polaha fan. He is a great actor, is charming, and plays his role with a non-cholent authenticity.
What would be better than this movie? Actually having Polaha play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Like the full movie!
This movie is heartwarming and gives the viewer the full range of emotions. It will be a must watch for years to come!
A Merry Scottish Christmas (2023)
On the 0-Christmas scale this gets "Haggis and Bagpipes!"
Aaaargh, the Scottish brogue is coming out in this one and the subtitle says it all.... Royalty is Relative! Starring Hallmarks undisputed Queen of Hallmark (by default, Aunt Becky went to prison and Candace Cameron-Bure like owns her own network now), Lacey Chabert stars as Dr. Lindsay Morgan, one-half of the Morgan siblings. Her brother, Brad, a tax attorney, come to Glenncraig, a lovely Scottish estate to reunite with their estranged mother Jo. Only Jo is actually Lady Josephine, a Duchess and the owner of the Glenncraig estate! What? "No way," you say! Well, cut some haggis and eat some shepherd's pie, because this isn't the only plot twist in this Hallmark bad boy. Layered with plot depth, this film also makes a big deal of how Lindsay and Brad are feeling friction in their sibling relationship because they hadn't seen each other in two years. Yep! Two years! It is like the prodigal siblings return to Scotland. I mean, what family has ever been two years without seeing each other?
Continuing Hallmarks recent trend to film internationally, this film did actually take place in Scotland at the very real Duns Castle, which is very cool!
Not to be overlooked is the over-the-top almost embarrassing portrayal of Scottish small town life. Incessant bag pipes and dancing are a bit loud and overplay the plot a bit. But, hey, I'm no expert and have never been to Scotland, though I firmly believe in Nessie...it's like the Scottish Sasquatch only it lives in a lake and doesn't have fur (fact check, please?).
While the movie was fun and you could literally turn your brain off, it missed the mark. The storyline just wasn't believable. Two Americans who find out they are Scottish nobles dealing with the uncertainty of Glenncraig's future!!!!
Gasp! What will they do? Well, watch it and find out!
Twas the Text Before Christmas (2023)
On the 0-Christmas Scale I give it a "Egg Nog Delight"
When Addie, played by Merritt Patterson, gets a random accidental text message from Maybel (Jayne Eastwood), a journey of adventure, daring, and risk ensues. For example, Maybel, who is honestly the nicest old grandma ever, invites Addie to come to their house for Christmas. Yes, travel from the city to quaint Vermont for Christmas with total strangers. Why go to a strangers house? Obviously because the rest of Addies family is going to Australia for Christmas. Why isn't she? That's a great question!
But Alas, Addie finds the courage to go to folksy Vermont and hang out with Mother Maybel of Vermont, who might actually be angelic. I'm waiting for the truth to finally come out. At the home of Grandmama Maybel she meets the charming and ruggedly handsome James (Trevor Donavan). The double take and chemistry starts flowing like warm maple syrup (gross, but did you see what I did there...maple syrup...Vermont...get it?)! Until....the ex-flame enters the picture.
Who could have seen that coming? Don't start yapping about predictable storylines. There were no expensive loafers worn by total douche boyfriends stepping in cow pies. There isn't even an inn...And while I swear I heard this storyline on a CrimeJunkies podcast episode...wait, mind blown...what? Hallmark and CrimeJunkies are essentially the same thing...A hapless charming lady trusts a stranger and ends up...I guess that's where it splits. One plot she ends up dead! The other she ends up in love! And the writers are so good you will never know which until the very very very end of this movie and be left on a cliff until then! Boom Bang!
Fast forward, this movie isn't just about Christmas. It spans more time than probably all the rest of the 2023 lineup combined. After getting some grub at Maybel's, Addie goes to Australia at some point, keeps connecting with Maybel, and then Addie's Dadd-i-o decides to break tradition and go to Australia two years in a row for Christmas!
Meanwhile, I swear this film was filmed in the dead of summer! The lighting is not winter lighting. C'mon lighting people, whatever you are called, pick up your game...And yes, my intuition was correct. The film was filmed in Toronto, Canada from May 15-June 1. That's a heck of a turnaround for a masterpiece like this...
Christmas Season #2 - Addie goes back to Vermont. And, right when I was thinking about how this plot was different, I realized it did contain an inn, the Hartford Inn, which throws this whole analysis in the blender.
And now for a plot twist! This isn't a Hallmark! This is a Great American Family which is coming on strong in 2023. At a 7.0/10 on IMBD this film was rated well, which means the former Hallmark Queen turned Great American Family Queen Candace Cameron Bure is starting her network strong!!!!
I digress....
Christmas Season #3 - Addie takes a huge risk and heads to Meemaw Maybel's neck of the woods for her 3rd straight Christmas, but when the inn screws everything up on the reservation Addie goes to Plan B and stays with Nana M and reconnects with James. And...there may be a ring involved, which means engagement, and....love.
But when Addie plans to move to Australia and James to Jamaica what will ensue. This nail biting drama keeps you guessing. Will Addie hopelessly venture to the train station and to the land beyond on the rail beast? Will they have second thoughts and reconnect right before the final credits, kiss, declare love, and change all of their plans? This isn't a Hallmark folks....and I'm not going to give out any spoilers.
A Biltmore Christmas (2023)
A Biltmore Christmas is an instant classic!
As reviewed on Hallmas.com - Holiday Christmas Movie Reviews.
This film is an instant classic! Hallmark's highest IMDB rated film of 2023 and the 3rd highest behind two from the When Calls the Heart series! It simply did not disappoint! It was charming, magical, and original!
Starring the incredible Kristoffer Polaha as Jack Huston and the lovely Bethany Joy Lenz as Lucy Hardgrove, these leading actors put on a dynamic performance full of blossoming romance and electricity.
The plot is fantastic! Lucy, a movie writer, is remaking the classic, "His Merry Wife" (think The Bishop's Wife). Originally filmed in 1947, His Merry Wife became a Christmas classic. However, she wants to change the ending which creates conflict with the studio head, who happens to be the grandson of the studio head back in '47.
The studio head in current time sends Lucy to Biltmore to get her bearings and what ensues involves a delightful mystery involving an hourglass, time travel, and love!
As Lucy sets out on a quest to figure things out, and make some things right, she discovers Jack only has one year left to live, which he obviously doesn't know. How will this knowledge impact their relationship? What is the moral thing to do?
This film conjures of the majesty of Christmas and emotions from all ranges, all set at the amazingly splendid Biltmore Estate...I'm not kidding, I might sell one or even two of my children to spend a Christmas there. It was simply stunning!
The cast is enjoyable, the pace is spot on, the actors do such a great job stereotyping performance art from the era, all of which combine to make this a simply delightful Christmas film!