'The Christmas Promise' is another 2021 Hallmark Christmas film to have a more serious theme for its story, after 'Christmas in My Heart'. The themes of grief and loss is familiar territory for Hallmark, but they are such relevant, universal and relatable themes/emotions due to everybody encountering them at least once in their lives that it doesn't matter how many times they're seen in film and television. Did like the idea and was already prepared to appreciate its good intentions regardless of the overall execution.
On the whole, the themes and the idea in 'The Christmas Promise' are executed quite well. Not flawlessly, with some story progression/pacing issues and aspects could have been fleshed out more. There was a lot to like about 'The Christmas Promise' though, it did move me, it's well performed and its good intentions and well meaning were very much obvious and appreciated hugely. As far as the 2021 Christmas films from Hallmark go, it's overall neither one of the best or worst (though out of the ones that had been aired already and this it is one of the better faring ones).
Am going to start with the good. It is a good looking film, with the scenery being beautiful. The music has presence and isn't drab, but it also doesn't feel intrusive or overwrought (which would have been very easy to do with such a serious story). The script has sincerity and doesn't get too melodramatic, though it is not always perfect.
While the story isn't perfect either, it deals with the themes of grief and loss thoughtfully and poignantly and manages to be moving without being maudlin. While also managing to be cheerful and upbeat, the gentle tone working very well. The cast are near uniformly great, with a poignant turn from Torrey DeVitto, a sympathetic one from Dylan Bruce and the always worth watching Patrick Duffy bringing understated feistiness to his role.
Did however find some of the story rushed in how it progresses, with things happening too quickly and sometimes introduced abruptly in the final third particularly. While DeVitto and Bruce have really lovely chemistry together, the relationship itself develops too fast and almost too whirlwind like.
While really liking Duffy in the role, his story could have been fleshed out a lot more or been cut because it did feel like padding. Personally did find Karen Holness too hammy and her character obnoxious, they do not gel within a film with such a gentle tone.
In summary, pretty good film with good intentions and heart but also a few bumps. 6.5/10.
