Christmas Island

I'm always on board for an Andrew Walker holiday romcom (My Christmas Family Tree) and this one doesn't disappoint. Kate (Rachel Skarsten) is a pilot who's just been given a shot at her dream job, piloting a wealthy family to Switzerland. Poor weather requires them to make an unexpected stop at a Nova Scotia town called Christmas Island, where air traffic controller Oliver (Walker) and his father, sister and nephew reside. It is here that we find out more about what everyone's deal is.

What I enjoyed most was that it wasn't strictly the usual plot line of will they or won't they. Sure, there was that, but the secondary storylines of the wealthy couple (Jefferson Brown and Kate Drummond), their two children and Oliver's family were just as interesting, to me. It was great seeing Good Witch's Peter MacNeil and Virgin River's Lauren Hammersley in supporting roles. This movie was a really good ensemble effort, which I think Hallmark does well and should do more often. The storylines were interesting and the cast was very good. Highly recommended.

Rachel Skarsten starred in "The Royal Nanny", one of last year's best Hallmark Christmas movies. She also lit up a sweet alternate reality Hallmark movie called "Timeless Love". Here, she plays a private pilot named Kate who's hired to fly a wealthy family from L. A. to Switzerland. Bad weather (which we never see) forces her to divert the plane to Christmas Island (population 83) in Nova Scotia where she meets Oliver, played by Hallmark All-Star Andrew Walker. He's the air traffic controller who told her to divert to Canada after criticizing her for joking around.

They're at odds initially but, as Kate and the family are forced to stay longer than planned (again, without any obvious bad weather), Kate and Oliver realize they really like each other. So, after 4 life changing days together, Kate quits her job, moves from California to Christmas Island, marries Oliver, and gets a job making Christmas cookies (when she's not volunteering at the pet shelter and planning next year's tree lighting festival).

Just kidding. She doesn't actually quit her job. And Oliver is scared of flying and refuses to fly anywhere. But the question Drew Barrymore asked in the movie "Ever After" ("A bird may love a fish...but where would they live?) is not answered here. We are just asked to enjoy the insta-love between two very appealing and attractive characters without being bothered by any of the pesky details of.... Life.

Fortunately, Skarsten and Walker have lots of chemistry and it's easy to root for them. It's also satisfying to watch the family (comprised of busy parents running a clothing empire, a disgruntled teen, and a boy who still believes in Santa) appreciate spending more time together and experiencing Christmas traditions they haven't valued in recent years.

The actors are all effective and this is the kind of Christmas comfort food that viewers tune in to Hallmark to see. It's also worth noting that, after watching literally hundreds of Hallmark movies, I don't recall one featuring a pilot who falls for an air traffic controller. Something new in a Hallmark movie needs to be acknowledged and appreciated. Unfortunately, my least favorite trope, the "almost kiss" makes yet another unwelcome appearance, no doubt delighting whoever had that on their Hallmark drinking game bingo card.

Andrew W. Walker is usually pretty reliable in Hallmark movies, Christmas or not and this is no exception. I have liked Rachel Skarsten since Marry Me at Christmas. She may have a bit of an Ice Queen reputation, but once you see through that, it is easy to like her. She is definitely not bubbly like some, but I see the inner emotions from her.

I always like kids in Christmas movies and we get a double dose in this one. A teen and one a little younger. They are an important part of the movie, but unlike many Christmas movies, they do not bond strongly with either romantic lead. This movie is a little unusual for a romantic Christmas movie in that there is an entire family totally unrelated to the romantic leads and they are central to the story.

We start with the uppity rich people and spoiled teen, but the rich people aren't nearly as arrogant as they could be or as often portrayed in these movies. Likewise the spoiled teen.

The story proceeds as usual through Christmas activities. There is a nice development toward the end worth an awe or two.

The acting is good. The dialogue is natural although not exceptionally witty. Walker and Skarsten have chemistry.

6 stars

This has the elements to make a good movie, including top actors and excellent scenery.

Yet, it was ultimately rather dull.

It was not a clunker, hence 6 stars, but it did not hold my interest.

The characters lacked chemistry and the "poor rich" family did not set up the audience for a breakthrough of joy at Christmas. It's not relatable for the audience to see a family on a private jet; something most viewers will never experience.

The scenery was beautiful but without witty or emotional banter, it came across as sterile, dry and without flavor. Fine actors did not save the dull story line.

No matter who is co-star is - and there have been some very good ones - Andrew Walker is such a surefire bet for Hallmark. Has he ever made a bad movie for them? I don't think so. He is great here with Rachel Skarsten.

Christmas Island tells the story of a VIP jet pilot (Skarsten's Captain Kate Gabriel) and the family she is flying to Europe for Christmas ending up getting waylaid at Christmas Island in Nova Scotia. Enter Walker's Oliver, playing the town's air traffic controller.

It turns out that Christmas Island is like your standard small town that you know well from multiple Hallmark movies, so all the old tropes are there...just on an island. Still, Walker's performance makes the cliches seem less cliched.

Aside from the inevitable romance between Kate and Oliver - their chemistry is good, so that's a box ticked - there is a good message in this movie about time spent with family during the holidays.