A Godwink Christmas: Second Chance, First Love

I really enjoyed this installment of Godwink, Sam Page and Brooke D'Orsay do a great job portraying a pair of high school sweethearts who meet again later in life. Page & D'Orsay have great chemistry and an easy flow between them that you would expect to see in this, all too relatable scenario, in this "Facebook" generation. The pace is good, the entire cast is good, and the story is interesting enough that I found myself being pulled right into it. I'll be watching this one again.

First review after countless years on here. And it's because I've lived in both Hawaii and now Boise that I watched it. But the scene of the downtown spread out with mountains in the background just isn't right. We have a real downtown, with high-rises. Not huge, but distinguishing from smaller cities. And the main pictures are from the Bench, staring down at the wide road leading through downtown and ending at the Capitol. Most photos of Boise are like that. We have foothills, leading to the Sawtooths behind, which are basically invisible from Boise. And it doesn't snow much here. Some now and then, and we did have a slightly snowy year very recently (climate change?), but snow on the ground, and drifts, etc., just isn't here. It's Dec. 11, and no snow. A few flakes, but nothing has stayed. And that's normal. But otherwise it's a typical Hallmark rom-com with the you either like them or not basic plots. I usually do, so they get my Hallmark rating, which is different from my action/sci-fi rating scale. Apples and kiwis.

I'm 60 and have Godwinks (God Winks) in my own life starting with Lincoln Logs as a 4 year old to becoming a mechanical engineer as an adult (I had a ton of Erector sets as a teenager)!!

Though I like all e Godwink movies so far, the 2nd one was better because the man turned out to be her hero in the end. The Godwink just put them together but it was his personal choice that saved her.

The acting wasn't bad by the leads in this one but (as with all holiday movies) the rest seemed wooden to help support the leads. That's really what I like is the stories anyway and it's great when the cast and storyline inter-mash.

The other thing is being based on true life...it's easier to write/act on this alone vice made up stuff. I belief in Artistic creativity even for true stories because in real life, life isn't always a dance or song.

My favorite Godwink movie (so far). It's a heartwarming story throughout, without any dramatic misunderstandings or negative characters. It's well acted and easy to watch and stay interested. Well done, it is on my re-watch list Beautiful winter and Christmas scenes.

Nov 2021.

The first film may not have been great or without its flaws, but it was decent. The second also didn't blow my mind, but was the superior film and one of the better Hallmark follow ups. And Hallmark have always varied with their follow ups, some surprisingly good, others mediocre at best. Was hoping that this third film, again with different leads like the second film, wouldn't be the latter. Brooke D'Orsay and Sam Page have both been good in other things so expectations were hardly low.

Luckily, this second follow up is in the former category of surprisingly good. Again, there are flaws and it could have been better and done even more with a great premise. Like the second film, it is to me better than the first film and on par with the second. As far as Hallmark follow ups go, it's towards being one of the better ones. The first film has the best leads, but the follow ups handle their messaging more subtly and are more consistent tonally.

While D'Orsay and Page are great individually, the two could have had more chemistry together. It's there, just that it could have done with more spark and the relationship itself could have had more development.

Did think as well that the ending was on the too convenient and tidy side and some of the dialogue still a bit awkward and sugary.

However, there is much to recommend. It has an at least professional look to it, the scenery is very pretty with a cosy look to it and the photography is slick. The music is generally not as constant or as over-scored as Hallmark Christmas films can be, with some nice soundtrack choices throughout. The direction is assured enough. There are enough moments that made me smile and came over as genuinely sweet, mostly too without being overly so.

Even though flawed, the story had a sincere charm often, it was often light on its feet and it did warm the heart enough. The more serious moments fit easily and don't come over as over sentimental, any tonal gear changes don't feel abrupt. D'Orsay is endearingly charming and Page a sympathetic partner, while Michele Scarabelli brings class and zest to her role (prefer her over Kathie Lee Gifford). The rest of the supporting cast do more than ably. The film does well at making me care for the characters too.

In conclusion, very nice film. 7/10.