Hallmark are very variable when it comes to their Christmas/winterfest offerings. Some are surprisingly good and did impress me, as long as one does not expect anything award worthy (it's not that kind of film). Some are decent. Some are mediocre at best. Some are very bad. And then there are some that are in between. While the story sounded very been there, done that, some 2019 Hallmark festive films were good and Lindy Booth has been good in other things.
'SnowComing' is not one of the best 2019 Hallmark festive films, like 'Two Turtle Doves' and 'The Christmas Club' for examples. It is also not one of the worst, which is particularly applicable to 'A Cheerful Christmas' and 'Christmas Scavenger Hunt'. It's in the in between category, so not a bad position to be in but also not a great one. 'SnowComing' is worth a one time watch and a middling effort as far as the Winterefest Hallmark films go, but there is not quite enough to it to warrant repeat viewings and is pretty average overall.
The best thing about 'SnowComing' is Booth, who is moving when she needs to be and never in a melodramatic way and also having an infectious energy and charm without being hyperactive. Have found Hallmark's female lead character writing's very variable, but this was a character that struck me as likeable and worth empathising with and not being frustrated or annoyed by her flaws. The supporting cast are also strong, with Caitlin Stryker sparkling in a role that is amusing and sympathetic.
Furthermore, Booth does have moments of very nice chemistry with Trevor Donovan. Especially when their chemistry and the relationship has grown, do agree that there is a beautifully done and very subtly acted scene that is wordless. Production values are decent and don't look amateurish, regardless of any questions of authenticity the scenery is very easy on the eyes and complemented by the photography well. Hallmark does not always do very well when it comes to their music, but the music fares fine here. It fits, it's not too loud and the sound of it appeals.
Didn't care for Donovan however. Even for the dullest and most cliched type of male lead Hallmark character (and the film does nothing to bring any freshness to this overused trope), Donovan is far too lightweight and ill at ease. Do agree with those that say that he in no way passes believably as a football player. While the chemistry between him and Booth did get better and more natural, it never properly scintillated and took a while to connect. With two completely contrasting personalities too they were a bit too much of a mismatch.
Also found most of the dialogue pretty bad. Very awkward sounding and very cheesy and over-sentimental, the equivalent of having five cheeseburgers mixed with twelve large lumps of sugar at the same time. The story was pretty much the same Hallmark Christmas/winterfest film formula repeated, meaning one knows exactly what to expect throughout the film's length. Some of the film is pretty uneventful narratively and becomes too hasty and forced in the final act. The pace can be rather pedestrian especially in the first third.
In conclusion, very average but watchable. 5/10.
