Chateau Christmas

This was an okay movie. This wasn't the best and this wasn't the worst for me. It was a little bland for me. I can appreciate the meaning behind the whole movie. I liked that the plot was second chances. Sometimes we can get a second chance but we can't always. I think everyone can relate to the plot on this movie when it comes to regret. I doubt you will find anyone that says there wasn't something they wish they could have done differently.

Truthfully I watched this movie for Luke, I'm a fan of his work. I also found myself enjoying the mother more than I enjoyed the lead actress. Again I enjoyed the plot and I think the whole cast worked seamlessly together but I won't be watching this again.

I grade Hallmark movies on a curve because I love them. And I really enjoy watching talented beautiful actresses like Merritt Patterson (especially in The Christmas Cottage and Forever in My Heart). But I just didn't feel a lot of chemistry between her and her old boyfriend (played by Luke Macfarlane). I did, however, like the relationship between the estranged couple that was part of the Lafayette Quartet.

The reason I went to the trouble of writing this review is because I really really hated the movie's emphasis on the very BIG and IMPORTANT concert that ended up taking place in what seemed like a small banquet room with maybe 30-40 people in attendance (including family). And then, when the BIG night arrived, Merritt's Patterson's character came out and played just one song. She's the "famous" headliner of a BIG concert that needed her old boyfriend to be the concert director- and she plays one song for 30-40 people???? And it's somehow a great success? With the boyfriend praised for his "leadership" as the director? What??

I realize that Hallmark movies are made on a tight budget but somebody should've invested in a CGI team to make it look like there were more people there. That same team could be used to fill out the crowds at every festival or a big event that's featured in virtually every Hallmark movie (most of which also seem sparsely attended).

And the Director and Editor should have made it seem like the headliner played more than just one song.

Most of us Hallmark fans are happy to buy into the fantasy of a love story full of familiar tropes and a guaranteed happy ending. But they need to try and make the rest of a movie like this seem plausibly realistic. They failed in this movie and it ruined the rest of it for me.

Like most Hallmark movies it is filmed in Canada but set somewhere else, in this case Boulder Colorado and surrounding areas. It is nearing Christmas and many families are vacationing at the Chateau.

It revolves around two 30-something musicians who were once in a serious relationship but parted when she became a world-renowned pianist and began touring the world to perform. He stayed in Colorado and eventually got his PhD in music and became a music professor. Now they surprise each other by being at the Chateau at the same time. Further their old college friend talks them into helping the Chateau put on a big Christmas concert.

Being a Hallmark movie we know what will happen and it is fun watching it get there. Just a nice, clean story and pleasant entertainment. I was feeling I was in Pleasantville.

At home, my wife and I watched it on DVD from our public library.

If you have seen your fair share of Hallmark Christmas films, like me as a big fan of the holiday, it would be safe to say that you are very likely to know what to expect and one shouldn't expect any more. Have always watched the Hallmark Christmas films, which have been many over the past few years and especially at the end of last year, with mixed expectations. That are either met and even exceeded, or the film completely misses the mark and does little with any potential.

'Chateau Christmas' is one of the "film being more or less what was expected" sort, meaning a pleasant enough if not exceptional film. 2020 was a mixed year for Hallmark (not uncommon for previous years) and that is true for their Christmas output too, and 'Chateau Christmas' is around high middle in ranking. The story is nothing extraordinary, but it is worth seeing for seeing two Hallmark regulars doing good jobs and raising their material to a bigger level.

A lot is good. The production values are very pleasing to look at, nice use of locations slickly shot. The music generally captures the Christmas feel very well and is not near as over-scored or intrusive as too many of a lot of Hallmark films, it also plays a big part in the film and turns out to be one of the pleasures. The script can be very corny, but mostly flows nicely and has a light-hearted and sweet tone without being too sugary sweet. It's sympathetically directed without being routine.

Merritt Patterson is an engaging female lead who has a character that was relatable to me, being a musician that has struggled to bounce back after being knocked in confidence. Luke MacFarlane is always worth watching and is subtly charming and confident. Despite having problems with how the relationship was written and used, Patterson and MacFarlane did have chemistry in a more understated way when they were able to show it. The supporting cast do well

While the story isn't perfect, exceptional and is derivative, it is charming, is light on its feet and is heart-warming with nice use of the festive setting. It doesn't take itself too seriously that it becomes too dreary, while not treating things as too much of a joke at the same time. 'Chateau Christmas' has characters that are likeable, with lead characters that are not annoying or stiff like they are in other Hallmark Christmas films.

Did feel however that the central relationship was under-developed and underused, almost getting lost amidst everything to do with the music. As said the story isn't perfect, not just because of it being lacking in originality but also because it is a slow starter, feels too pat at the end and has too many not so realistic coincidences.

Like what was said before, the dialogue can be corny and has a lot of cheese in the first portion.

Overall, not bad at all and made better by the leads despite the uneven storytelling. 6/10.

Another movie where a musician feels that they have lost their passion but important people in their life help them rediscover their passion. Filmed, at least in part, in beautiful Whistler, BC had us looking at the scenes and witching we could experience Christmas there.