In Merry Measure

This one rates in the middle of the pack so far with the 2022 lineup. My favorite thing about this movie was the chemistry between the sisters I would love to see them in another movie together. It felt like they really were sisters. Their banter and expressions were great. I also liked the friendship between the coach and the music teacher. The romantic chemistry felt a little forced but by the end I was rooting for them. I think the ending left something to be desired The whole movie built up to the big performance but I felt like it fell short. Maybe I have just watched Pitch Perfect too many times!

In a nutshell, this is your standard cookie cutter made for TV Hallmark movie - with a lot of singing.

Everything about In Merry Measure is generic and unremarkable. The acting, set design, musical score, script writing and direction...it's all right in the middle of the "Hallmark movie bell curve"

Nothing objectively terrible but nothing memorable or worth rewatching for either.

The endless singing from the high schoolers and lack of notable chemistry between the lead actors make this one I wouldn't rewatch.

If you're more musically or vocally inclined, this might be more appealing to you. Watching teenagers sing for a cumulative 20 minutes of the 80 minute runtime was just too much for me (though to their credit, they sang well).

...all ruined by a single actor. (Proof below)

This movie had a lot going for it. Especially the young singers in the school choir. Some beautiful, natural voices -- all without any auto-tuning going on to make their voices sound better than they are.

But all of that was ruined by the irritating, manic performance of Patty Murin. One of the reviewers stated "Patty Murin was adorable in this." Hmm. I'm curious if we watched the same movie.

Ms. Murin mugs mercilessly in almost EVERY single scene she's in, save for maybe three or four where she actually reels it in. Makes one wonder how many dozen triple lattes she has before each scene. Her fake smile was SOO forced, like the late, great Doris Day's genuine smile on steroids. It destroys any chemistry she may have had with poor Brendan Penny, among others.

Don't believe me? Just watch THE LAST MINUTE OF THE FILM, where she and her character's mother and daughter are taking selfies. Murin doesn't just smile. She contorts her face, stretches that forced GRIN, and hams it up for attention.

And again, ruins the entire film in the process. Unfortunately...

To put it simply, Hallmark couldn't get any more boring than this. Talky scenes go on forever without saying much. By the end, you may ask, "So what?" The cast gives it the old college try, but there is just not a script here that is worthy of their attempt. There is not enough chemistry between the leads to elevate the material enough to make this believable or, for that matter, even interesting.

In addition, the direction and sets are very common and you are left with the feeling that you have seen this all before in many other Hallmark Christmas movies.

I consider this one of Hallmark's "filler" movies - quickly and cheaply made in order to fill in the new Christmas movie schedule.

In Merry Measure is a Hallmark triumph, and Megan Hilty is its dazzling crown jewel. Her performance as the spirited lead is nothing short of mesmerizing-she carries the film with effortless grace, infusing every scene with warmth, wit, and an irresistible charm that hooks you from the first note. Her voice? A revelation-rich, soaring, and utterly enchanting, it transforms each musical moment into pure magic, leaving you spellbound. Hilty's captivating presence elevates this delightful tale of love and harmony into a holiday classic, making it a joy-filled gem that sparkles brighter than the season's finest lights. A must-watch masterpiece!