B&B Merry

I enjoy holiday movies any time of year. I also enjoy romantic comedies involving the holidays, such as is the premise of this movie. Unfortunately, although the plot and theme of the movie was attractive, I never saw or felt any chemistry between the leads. I especially felt that Graham was just going through the lines, no emotion, no connection and no chemistry at all. , I never got the warm, touching, and feel good emotions that I generally get when watching the Hallmark movies. If only the chemistry would have been there and perhaps Grahams part could have been written better or played by a different actor, but I don't think even that would have made that much difference. Sorry, but that's the truth.

7.5 stars.

I wasn't smiling much watching this installment of a Christmas family Hallmark romance genre... What we have in this story is a woman who does travel blogs, she visits hotels and B&B's and motels and all those places where people get lodged up. She has traveled all over the world and has a fairly popular website. Two competitors land on her docket so she has to compare them simultaneously. One is a small town family B&B and the other is the competition, a major large chain hotel in the same town, not known for charm, caters to wealthy and such. She is conflicted and falling in love with the owner of the B&B's son, and there we have the usual Hallmark/Family production.

The acting is very good, the drama is serious, the feelings are real. I like this sort of story, I don't need all the fluff and smiles. This type of movie works for me, albeit it's not making me ecstatic edge of my seat happy, but I'm entertained and satisfied. I like it when these two leads are serious, they are very good at portraying these emotions. Pleasantly surprised.

Once the premise is set up, this movie follows the usual lines for a movie in this genre. The premise has a tiny twist on blogger sent to review a place to stay in a small town. In this movie, Tracey has already accepted an invitation to a struggling B&B as an independent reviewer on a romantic getaway. But a big magazine offers to hire her for a review on another more traditional hotel in the same town. She figures she can do both, ignoring the obvious conflict of interest. So as she checks into the B&B, she has one secret but quickly adds a second - her boyfriend breaks up with her while she is literally on the porch before checking in.

From there the usual stuff unfolds. The break-up secret is revealed quickly and actually generates some sympathy. It also makes her available romantically. There are Christmas activities. There are discussions with intimate friends or relatives about the fact that there is no romance. Tracey helps Graham make the inn more appealing. They decide to revive a Christmas dance tradition. There is an expected conflict and the resolution is much the same as many movies with a similar premise.

This movie is family friendly. The acting is decent. The dialogue is also, but not sparkling. There is chemistry between Jen Lilly and Jesse Hutch. Once aspect was overplayed. Graham's mom and aunt who really run the inn go overboard drastically in doing things for Tracey in the name of hospitality. Were I the guest here I would run away from the intrusive attention.

Sorry to say but not a huge fan of JL,something about her seems fake.

On to this movie review: Nothing special,unique & basically clichéd.. Have seen other movies better,with similar storylines.

With that said,the casting to acting was average & cinematography ok enough.

Feel as though GAC is like the little sister to big sister Hallmark,always following & trying to keep up.. Yet stumbling.

Something to consider: If GAC is all about values,than how come Lori L is getting work on this network? She is a criminal,sure might of did(cough)Hollywood jail time.. So that lifestyle is fine? Hypocritical much.

Just feel holiday movies are not like they were years back,where it wasn't about quantity but quality.

Sick of movies always being set in Canada & although love that region,why not some in the United States or actually during Winter? I get about production this & that,but can we be authentic occasionally?

This movie is passable enough once,just for JH being in it but otherwise.. Not on the list for watching,again.

I really liked B&B Merry!! I absolutely adore Jen Lilly and I really like Jesse Hutch. They made a cute couple. We've seen a variation of this storyline with Hallmark movies. Jen is a blogger who was asked to come to Silver Peak B&B to help bring guests in with all her followers. There is competition with a newer high end hotel that is in the area. She does review both of them. I'm not going to give anything away. Although it's predictable it's really well done. I absolutely loved the comedic antics of the mom and Aunt. They played well off each other. This is one of my favorites of the season.