Christmas in Montana

I consider this to be a "Hidden Gem" -- a movie that I believe is much better than the overall numerical IMDB Rating would lead you to expect. For that reason it is on my IMDB "Christmas Movie Favorites" list.

I don't think I'll ever see Kellie Martin overact in any movie - quite the contrary! Nevertheless, I couldn't finish this on my first watch, it seemed so boring. I'm glad I gave it a second, now third, watch; with pleasant chemistry amongst the cast, it moves at a relaxed pace that is lacking in so much of life today, and it accomplishes for me what I hope any Hallmark movie could do for the viewer: to make them feel better than they did before watching it.

I thought I won't like this movie but I was young the actors were amazing and the story was amazing with no cliches

If this were the only Christmas movie of the year, it would be fine. This is exactly the same story as countless other Christmas movies on most of the regular Christmas movie channels. There is very little tension beyond save-our-ranch. There isn't even a romantic rival. There is no one to hate. What conflict exists is manufactured in one character's head. Even the resolution has been done many times. Take any of the previous save-our-something stories and pull out plot threads and lump them into this movie. The viewer can almost outline the story in detail.

What makes these movies enjoyable for me is the relationships. Kellie Martin and Colin Ferguson are reliable stars in this type of movie and they do fine in this one. The chemistry between them starts almost from the beginning and changes nature but continues over the movie. Even when there is an adversarial nature in the beginning, the two are connecting. Ferguson is especially well cast as a laid back good-natured rancher. I liked the dialogue, especially some of the quips early on which extended even to the surrounding family members. I also really liked Ava Preston as Chloe.

One thing that usually impresses me in Hallmark movies is breathtaking scenery. This movie is about Montana. I expected a lot more than there was. There were a few shots, but is seemed stingy.

I can see why many avid Christmas movie fans were hard on this movie, but it wasn't so much that the movie was bad as it just didn't have anything different.

I live in California and visit Montana regularly to visit my family. This is exactly how every visit is with the love of community and passion for the holiday. This movie forecasts what my family will be doing in 8 days. Grateful for the great actors and the diversity they brought to Mt. -C