rogerstoryteller

Lucie Guest was always a witty, engaging comic actress with immaculate timing, and she brings the same deft precision to her role as director of this outrageously premised script. There's a visual playfulness which matches the wacky script (loved the idea of the shy Santa with a puppet! Which i think i may steal for a Christmas themed storytelling myself!)) Paul Campbell acting as a not very good actor who loses out to Andrew Walker is another highlight . Benjamin Ayres, reliable as ever, somehow makes the nonsense emotionally credible and enjoys good chemistry with his love interest, which he does whether he's in Vermont, Cherry Lane or North Star. Definitely one of the best Hsllmark movies for 2024.

Big fan of Sarah Drew here, as she can play whatever mundane dialogue and make it fresh and unbelievable. But she is sadly underused here as a third wheel after the deceased wife and the grieving kids. The romance with the ever likeable and easygoing Sam Page doesn't hsve screen time to even bubble let alone simmer gently (it wd require a sequel as the scriptwriter gets it hopelessly wrong in terms of they start this Hallmark story. And the writer knows it too, throwing in a ridiculous over the top ending to bring Page and Drew together as the 85 minute run time rapidly draws near.

So, don't come hoping for a romance sealed with a passionate kiss. However, as others hsve rightly said, there's some genuine exploration of a 3-gen family adjusting to the loss of a loved one.

And as Page and Drew sort.of wander off into the sunset (not even holding hands!) You are.left to use your own imagination about their happier ever after.

A well grafted script (it's hard to resist the gardening puns with so much potting in the plotting) and a strong core of actors results in a thoroughly watchable (and indeed rewatchable) Hallmark film. The central gay romance is beautifully and covincingly played, while the framing story of a mother trying to reconnect with her children provides an unexpected and emotional counterpoint. And instead of the usual irraitatingly quirky BFFs thrown in for comic relief, there are 3 supporting characters who have their own backstopry which adds to, rather than distracts from, the world of the drama. I only recognised one of the actors ( and his was a cameo in the bar) so it was pleasant surprise to see such solid performances throughout.