A Fabled Holiday

A magic book passed on from the blessed to those needing healing leads those needing to a hidden town. Are the residents fairies? There is a sense of wonder as we meet 5 people with something missing in their lives. There is some freshness in how their stories progress. Mildred seems to be a strange addition to the town since she resembles the grinch more than a helpful fairy. Even so, there are no great highs or lows or surprises.

Ryan Paevey and Brooke D'Orsay have chemistry as their characters rekindle their childhood relationship. D'Orsay's Talia seems the most perceptive of the fact that something about Wunderbrooke is unique and perhaps stirring up memories of childhood stories. I think D'Orsay is well cast for this part.

The friction between Diane and Keith doesn't develop as much as it jumps to a conclusion.

The fairy tale atmosphere and unfolding mysteries kept my interest, but I can't say this movie stood out and certainly not a tear jerker.

Not my favorite type of movie, The writers weakened the storyline by following the Hallmark standards of time limits and editing to fit the 1 1/2 hour limitations. I want a well developed plot line and characters to fit. This movie. Should have been a normal two hour one. Chopped in the edit room for Hallmark, Low on my list of Ryan Paevey movies, but grateful when I realized there would be at least a year before he was chosen for another one. Realize that the "battle" with GAC for "religious" purity has seemingly given new actors huge openings to join the Hallmark Universe....and that the 3-4 favorites are still doing their regular 3 or more films a year. But, this should not be allowed to start making movies of lesser quality, with writers and actors of presumably lesser cost.

Give this jumble of a movie a higher rating because it could have been better if allowed to be.

I knew they were in trouble when Lindsey Stirling was featured in the previews. Turns out, that was pretty much her entire participation.

This is a story about people in crisis magically visiting a fairy tale land they had all read about as children.

It is very hard to pull off a fairy land in a two hour Christmas movie, and as it turns out, other than an occasional bell ringing, there is very little else to suggest anything special is going on.

A knowing look occasionally is about it.

Ryan Paevey is good in almost everything, and he's pulled some movies out of the fire before. But not this one I'm afraid.

I didn't care for the chemistry with the still-gorgeous Brooke D'Orsay, and I thought her acting was a little spotty in this.

Admittedly hard to do a film like this, but the result was nothing special.

Six.

I love stories about writing books or anything adjacent to books. The movie IS a book story, Talia is a writer writing a book, and Talia owns a book shop, so this is a triple yes for me! I love how innocent and imagination Talia is, how Anderson supports her, and the abundance of Christmas festivities in the magical village.

Summary: Talia's father introduces childhood friends Talia and Anderson to the story of Wunderbrook, a Magical Christmas Village where those that have lost their way in the world can find joy and peace. 30 years later, both Talia and Anderson end up staying at the Gingerbread Inn for Christmas where they participate in Wunder Week Christmas festivities and rediscover their joy and true self. The movie is told in chapters like a storybook with book graphics, text, and a narrator.

"Once these special visitors arrive in this place, they experience a Holiday like no other and are reminded of who they really are and the true joy and peace that is the meaning of Christmas." -A Wunderbrook Christmas Story book.

MeetCute: Talia and Anderson are childhood friends and read the book of Wunderbrook together.

Anderson gifts Talia a notebook that says, "Don't Stop Dreaming" while Talia gifts Anderson a copy of the book, A Wunderbrook Christmas Story

As adults, Talia is negatively muttering to herself her doubts about her unpublished manuscript when Anderson enters. Talia spots him and they realize they know each other from their childhood! Talia tells him she is still trying to write fiction and Anderson tells her that he is taking a break from his job as a doctor.

Christmas Festivities: Christmas Tree Lighting Snow Falling Hot Chocolate Tasting Story Hour of an Original Holiday Story Talia & Anderson Dress Up as Santa & Elves Making Christmas Stockings Charles decorates Mildred's Magical Tavern with Christmas Decorations Christmas Market Christmas Bell Procession Night of Wunder Party.

Brook d Orsay and Ryan Paevey.

In a sweet fairy tale, with charming, familiar beginning, with smart references to the dreams about future in childhood, lost parent and the mature wake up. And about way to work of a book in exactly the manner expected/ hoped by so many bookworms.

The result - just a fascinating travel - cure of a couple in profound crisis of marriage, a widower dominated by grief and nostalgia and regrets after the death of his beloved wife , saved by a witch and two childhood friends who, after three decades , descover , in right light, the feelings for each other.

So, charming is fair term for define it, not ignoring the cliches or the too old recipe.