A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe

Does that sound familiar? Actually, it is not the most common premise, but it seems like a lot of them lately. There is a theft mystery thrown in. There is a cute kid who is slightly precocious. And lots of baking cookies.

Anne starts out as a Scrooge like executive who has taken over from grandma and made lots of cuts. Rachel Boston is one of my favorites, but I just can't picture her as a scrooge. I have always seen her as extremely outgoing and positive. I'm not saying she didn't play the part well. I'm saying that if she did, I couldn't have seen it. As the movie goes on, the real Rachel comes out which is a good thing.

There is a bit of Keystone Cops with the gang chasing suspects and Boston looking so inconspicuous with her sunglasses on. Not quite a trench coat. There are some funny lines and moments. Boston and Webster have chemistry. The movie sets up an excellent trail for a false identity of the thief. I followed it. The truth is a real surprise and maybe a bit of a stretch. The dance recital is also very cute.

Okay it is a bit "hamy" BUT it is a delightful change up from the same old same old Christmas movies, a Cookie Christmas Caper is a wonderful premise for a movie. I get that somaae Hallmark fans will not appreciate this movie for the delightful comedy it is, so to those folks, come on lighten up, this was funny and such a change for a Christmas movie. In the end there is enough of the traditional, romance, lessons learned and happy ending for those needing that fix. Do the lead characters seem a bit like they are at times a wee bit silly? Sure, but that is the jest of the movie, it is just a "sweet" movie and I for one enjoyed it and laughed a lot which, who doesn't need a good ha ha today! So take of the serious hat, put on your silly Christmas sweater and grab a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, turn on the Christmas lights watch the snow and just let your mind take a bit of a Christmas break from the stress and ENJOY!

This film follows the familiar Hallmark formula: city dweller returns to their small hometown, encounters the town's most eligible bachelor, and navigates a meddling child who seems determined to play matchmaker.

While the holiday setting and the focus on baking provide some festive charm, the plot feels incredibly predictable. The "meet-cute" is contrived, the romantic tension builds slowly and predictably, and the resolution feels overly convenient.

The child character, while well-intentioned, comes across as overly precocious and manipulative, often forcing interactions between the leads that feel unnatural.

I loved this movie and not just because of Rachel Boston and Victor Webster. I found it super cute and refreshing among all my other Christmas movie watching. Yes there was a romance but it was truly secondary to the story. It really didn't hit until the last quarter of the movie. Also while a character deaths were mentioned it didn't harp of them in a sad way. The mystery of who stole Grandma's recipe was fun and had me guessing. It also had me laughing at some points. The cast was phenomenal from the stars to the minor rolls. Yea it's Hallmark so it was a little corny at times but corny in a good way. This is one I will definitely watch again and again.

Rachel Boston brings her trademark effervescence - seriously, is she the brightest and happiest Hallmark actress going around? - to this charming story about Annie, a CEO on the the hunt for a cookie recipe that has been the backbone of a small town's cookie company for decades. Annie has to play amateur detective to figure out who stole the recipe during a Christmas party, and must also work with a baker in the same town (Victor Webster, who is a Hallmark regular these days, and for good reason) to try and recreate the recipe. Webster and Boston are good together, believable as semi-rivals and then, of course, love interests, and the film has a very nice ending.

If nothing else, ninety-odd minutes focused on cookies leaves you pretty hungry! A fun film!