Heart of the Holidays

This story has been way overdone by Hallmark. These actors didn't bring anything new or energetic to the screen. The second half was better than the slow first half. I did enjoy the scenery, and that was the high point for me. I can't imagine what Vanessa Lengies and the hair/makeup crew were thinking with her hair. Absolutely. Awful. Not sure if it was meant to be ombre, but if so, it missed the mark and looks very unhealthy. I found it quite distracting throughout the movie. Even still, it was a fairly enjoyable Hallmark holiday piece.

Sam's new investment job unexpectedly falls apart in New York and she ends up back home for Christmas for the first time in eight years. Sam's boyfriend Will and his partner buyout Sam's new company and she decides she needs some space.

Noah, Sam's high school sweetheart and local cafe owner, and Sam have an awkward reunion...there is clearly more to their story, with tension you could cut with a knife.

"The years fly by but time has a way of standing still."-Bob.

The actress who plays Val really steals the show.

"I'm not sure I really fit in here anymore."-Sam.

I like to start a review with something positive, at least one thing to recommend the movie. The leads were good, though Corey Sevier is usually better, playing a more lively character.

That's about all I got.

It's a very tired plot, even for a Christmas romance. I can't name one fresh or stand-out element.

Oddly, our city go-getter suddenly goes meek when she returns to her small hometown, where her ex is in a sulk.

Things pick up some eventually, but only in the most formulaic way.

It was so dull I kept pausing it for other things and wasn't sure at first that I'd seen the end (I did-that memorable).

Not awful. Not good either.

Good story and good acting. A little slow occasionally, but overall a sweet movie.

I like it. For simplicity of story, for the main actors, for the nice dialogue, for fair use of social side and for the relation between characters. But first, for the wise way to be only a story, with familiar end, without demonstrating something, being not pathetic and proposing a story of redefinition of two young people , with a common past, front to new beginning.

Another virtue - the food bank. Yes, not original for a Hallmark film but wise used in this case , because it is just a honest perspective about people, their needs and problems. So, predictable slices and a new breath. And, good start for Corey Sevier at his first try as director.