Christmas Wedding Runaway

This is an almost-ensemble holiday rom-com with one main heroine, her groom, her ex, and her sister rounding out the leads. Sara Mitich is luminous although her hair is almost frighteningly red in this role. There's gentle comedy and authentic emotion from the 4 leads as they grow through their individual arcs although Colt doesn't get much range as he's supposed to represent stable, unchanging love.

Mimi Kuzyk is a gem as the girls' grandmother. The bride's parents are transparently OTT - the kind that's entertaining on-screen but you'd have to murder IRL. The bit players are a nice collection of eccentrics and bewildered bystanders.

There's been some criticism that the lead actress isn't suited for the role but I think that's a deliberate choice by the director to play up the character's unsuitability for the city life and the marriage/family she is running away from (not a spoiler, as it's in the title). The character dresses more naturally and loses the artificial hairstyle once she's out of the city, and even moves differently as she becomes more true to her own desires.

(One caveat as a writer: if anyone dragged me out of an in-the-zone writing session after a period of blockage, I'd be flinging my coffee mug at them, not going meekly back to the kitchen to help with the baking or whatever.)

The plot omitted a few of the usual set-pieces like sleigh rides and ice-skating although they did fit in Christmas tree hunting, and still managed to become a nicely watchable story. I'll keep my eye out for the actresses playing both sisters, to see what they make of more demanding roles.

Greetings, salutations, and a seasonal welcome to all you movie aficionados. Here are my considerations and recommendation for Christmas Wedding Runaway.

Story: 1.25/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.50/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.25/2

Total 6.25/10

The concept of an unhappy Merry Christmas being on the cards for at least one person this Christmastime drew me to this Christmas Wedding Runaway. I mean, a bride getting cold feet on the day of her Xmas nuptials scampers off to Nana's contemplating her choices and potential future. Her escape from wedded bliss should leave at least one guy blue this Christmas. But that's not the case because right from the outset, the writers place a monumental neon sign over Olivia, the fugitive's sister, and five minutes into the story, you've guessed the ending. And this is a shame, as the writers could've interwoven Olivia's feelings into the narrative more subtly. Doing so would've added extra depth and potency to the story. Since we know who will enter Happy-Ever-After Land at the finale, it becomes a matter of how they'll carry us to the forgone conclusion? Luckily, the writers are decent at characterisations, especially the three principal characters: The Runaway Bride - Maggie, the old-flame - Colt, and the Grandmother - Nana. Of these three, Nana is the best. She still single-handedly maintains her farm and stables, and she's an independent woman with an independent mind, who's not afraid to speak it, either. Another pair I enjoyed was Olivia's parents, who appear to only care about appearances and their stature in their community. The romance that begins to re-bloom between Maggie and Colt does so in a mildly ireful, though always tender, fashion, which makes it great for building their characters. And the adventures they have along the way, with the small twists the writers add, are enough to keep you entertained until the forgone conclusion arrives.

The director does an okay job with the direction. It's pretty standard stuff, though they pepper the movie with a few decent compositions. And though there's not a constant heart-warming atmosphere, that's ideal for this type of tale - It's there when it's needed, and that's what matters.

All the performers are excellent, particularly Mimi Kuzyk, who plays Nana. She perfectly displays the woman's kindness with an underlying strength. You feel that if you get on the wrong side of Nana, you'll regret it. The only one who let the side down slightly was Joseph Cannata, as the Groom - Douglas. He's a smidgen too straight and stiff, though that may be his character - but it does appear a little off on-screen.

I would say that the writers missed a few opportunities to make the story more potent and realistic, while the director could've tightened his cinematography a bit. Doing so would've made this film more enjoyable. And that's where Christmas Wedding Runaway sits - at the enjoyable table, so I can only recommend it for one watch. Sadly, it doesn't possess the power to draw you back to it next year, and that is a shame as it could've.

Please check out my HO! HO! HO! Christmas Belles list to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care, Stay Well, And Best Wishes For A Merry Christmas.

The acting saved the movie because there are no real surprises here. The performances were very good and I enjoyed this movie. The scenery is beautiful and I would recommend for passing a couple of hours!!

The actress with the gruesome red dye hair does not fit into a 'mountain girl' type, so they should have cast someone else for the roll, but all in all a decent christmas flick, very predictable

its go enough laughs in it to make it worth while, a guy can watch this and not have too many regrets. Probably for older viewers since there is no graphic sex and violence

The other 'sister' character is well scripted to show what real love is at several layers

worth the watch

I loved this one it really was awesome. And yes I think you will really enjoy it to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! James Welch, Henderson. Arkansas 10/11/2021.