La fabuleuse parade de Noël

Expectations were mixed prior to watching 'Christmas Sail'. Have liked the cast in other things, am a huge fan of Terry O'Quinn's acting on 'Lost' (a brilliant show at its best) so the casting was not a problem. Liked the different sounding concept. The mixed to negative critical reception did turn me off a little though, though all films and television are always watched with an open mind by me, with the criticisms being very strong, and the scenario didn't sound anything special.

Watching 'Christmas Sail', my thoughts on it were mostly positive while also having some quite big reservations. Not a great film, but above average and much better than what has been said in my view. Comparing it with the previous 2021 Hallmark Christmas films, it is not as good as 'Christmas in My Heart' for example (that and 'Christmas Promise' also had grief and loss as themes and handled them better and more consistently) but it is a lot better than 'Boyfriends of Christmas Past' and 'Coyote Creek Christmas'.

'Christmas Sail' does a lot right. The best thing about it is the acting. Katee Sackoff was charming and heartfelt in her role though will agree that she overdoes the smile. Patrick Sabongui is a likeable presence too. It is a case though of the supporting cast being even better, Emma Oliver is absolutely adorable and never too cutesy, while also adding a good deal of mature depth, her chemistry with Sackoff is charming and much more convincing than the central romance. The best performance comes from heart wrenching O'Quinn, especially in the beautifully written and acted heart to heart.

Furthermore, there are some effective scenes. There is the aforementioned heart to heart towards the end, which was raw and very honest. The other standout was the ending, which did make me cry. Did have problems with quite a lot of the endings in this year's Christmas offerings but this was one of the few where not only was it not a problem but it was one of the best things. The film looks lovely and the boat setting is believable. The script when the film gets going is well meaning and thoughtful and the story handles the grief and loss themes and the aftermath movingly on the whole.

It is a film that takes a little too much time to get going and is very slight to begin with. There could have been a lot more chemistry in the central romance, it does engage when there is finally some development but it is far too subdued and very awkward to begin with (that first dance scene agreed was yuck worthy). It is also underdeveloped, with the family relationships being a lot more convincing.

Some of the dialogue, particularly early on, is very cornball and stilted and while Sabongui does well in his role the role felt underwritten.

Overall, above average though didn't blow me away. Starts off pretty questionably but gets a lot better. 6/10.

Christmas On The Lake (2021) -

I really liked the leading man Luke, played by Patrick Sabongui. I felt he was a nice character that I wanted to succeed in love, which made this film easy to watch.

But Terry O'Quinn was outstanding in his role of the disillusioned widower, Dennis. I liked how he slowly melted and came around because of his interactions with his Granddaughter and I liked his vulnerability, because I could really feel his sadness. The whole thing actually got me quite emotional if I'm honest and mostly thanks to Terry.

I really bought the relationship between the two leads and I wanted them to get together.

And I was glad that they didn't make up some crap argument for them to fall out over and just played it simple, with practicalities getting in the way of things instead of some ridiculous misunderstanding or overheard comment.

It had lots of seasonal fun and a different take on the usual themes, with a pleasant romance and heart that has sometimes been missing.

6/10.

Emma Oliver and Terry O'Quinn. They are the pillars of this real nice film about lost, old love story becoming a new one, a boat and Christmas. And, sure, a contest.

Not remarkable but charming crafted, explaining the loneliness after deuil period, the motherhood in energetic style, the friendship and the kicks to risk for help the loved one.

So, a sort of different Hallmark. And the same destination with few ways little different.

The good point - gentle, maybe superficial but not in bad sense, of delicate realities from every day, from many lives. And this recipes , sensitive, touching, with few drops of wisdom just works. This is the virtue of this clever portrait of a grandfather and his grandaughter colaboration.

I have to disagree with the low star ratings from other reviews.... I found the story a delightful change from the "traditional" winter wonderland holiday romance movies. Thank you Hallmark for going a different direction with this movie! I did not find that there were any real issues with the lead, it is more a case of you either like Katee or you don't...so thinking the lower reviews simply don't care for the lead. I like to think I am a bit more open minded and can actually rate a movie on the entire film and cast and not on one actor! I am neither a fan or not of Katee but I enjoyed her in this movie. There should be nervous laughter, the two characters that are rekindling their childhood romance are nervous and unsure, it should be expected, it certainly would be in real life... Was the result expected, of course... it's a Hallmark and that is the way we want our Hallmark movies to end. But, the unexpected part, and you all know who watched this know what I am talking about, well that did make me cry and it was beautiful.... so after the horrible year the world has been through in 2020 and now 2021 it is an absolutely joy to be seeing a NEW Hallmark Christmas movie and I for one found it a delight!

Cute movie but I've seen better from Hallmark clearly the other boats in the parade were prettier and the movie had wrong lead actors. I agree Hallmark has lost it's Christmas stuff.