A Reason for the Season

This movie has an unusual take on a Christmas pay-it-forward story, or perhaps a charitable Secret Santa. It is an appealing approach to an already appealing premise. The opening scene works right into that.

Then there is the scene with mom's ridiculous do-or-die requirement for Evie/Mary to earn her Trust fund. I wish the writers would have toned the whole thing down a little. It appears to Evie and the viewer to be more of a Hail Mary (no pun intended) effort rather than a fair opportunity to prove herself. The requirement is reinforced a couple of times. Mom even acknowledges at one point that the task is more than difficult and that she has already failed once to make it happen.

I like Kyle's approach moving forward from the beginning. And the story develops very nicely. Meanwhile Taylor Cole and Kevin McGarry build some nice playful chemistry. And the spoiled arrogant rich girl quickly turns into a smart and kind lady. The acts of kindness proceed and in general terms the result is about what you'd expect. Strangely, the story lacked, at least in my view, a key element of all Christmas rom/com stories. To identify it would be a spoiler so I can't say more. The movie managed to succeed without it.

I really enjoyed this Hallmark holiday romance...starting with its two leads Taylor Cole (Evie Lane) and Kevin McGarry (Kyle Newman). The premise is a wealthy cosmetics mogul puts a whole bunch of stipulations on her daughter's trust fund inheritance. Evie has to find the four strangers in a small town who helped her mother give birth to her and saved her life 35 years ago. The catch...she has to grant their wishes anonymously and all before midnight Christmas Eve.

Evie rolls into town and employs the town lawyer and hockey coach Kyle Newman to help her blend in, identify everyone in the photo and handle the legal around her gifts.

The romance is actually very sweet and I think will appeal to most romantics, but the real reason to watch this Hallmark holiday romance is amazingly selfless towns people...they really are too good to be true. The cast was amazing and I liked the spirit of giving that is highlighted in this film.

The best part of this was the great chemistry between Kevin and Taylor. They look great together but there was a believable connection, not too overdone or scripted.

Another thing I liked about this one was that it was a hidden identity much like we get with secret royals and heirs in other movies, but this one didn't turn it into the 20 minutes left just before the 2nd to last commercial break conflict. In fact, that didn't really exist and it was so refreshing!

While it was big city vs small town there wasn't a huge issue on who is staying who is going long distance nonsense. It's purely that a small town can brighten the heart of the season.

They didn't do enough to explain really why he had to be the lawyer other than just tax breaks of gifting which he wouldn't need to actually help if that's the case. Also, cardinal rule of lawyers was broken- don't get romantically involved with your clients. I'll forgive it this time.

I thought all of the side characters were great, especially the mom and diner owner. The town is cute and it wasn't too over done town traditions (minus her as the elf but that wasn't too overplayed either).

I thought this was really well done for a hallmark movie. It was just missing a certain pizzazz that kept it from a higher rating that I save for my favorite of the year each year.

I would watch it again and I think the quality of the acting and absence of certain overdone cliches raise it above the average hallmark movie.

A Reason for the Season was such a feel good with all the sentiment of giving back! What a great ensemble cast with individual stories that tied to the mystery. Then comes laid back, eligible bachelor attorney, Kyle Newman who immediately has sparks with Evie but is not his main focus but uses his relationships in the community to help Evie. Both Kevin McGarry and Taylor Cole were magic together with wonderful chemistry and the ability to banter with one another with great sense of humor and care. No angst in this movie but an interesting mystery to solve and relationships to bloom and reconnect. Best of the season thus far!

If you only have time to watch a couple movies this Christmas, make sure this one is on the list!

In this Hallmark mystery with Kevin McGarry and Taylor Cole, we have a classic city-rich-girl meets nice-small- town-guy love story, Yet there were enough fresh twists to the genre, and spectacular talent from the cast, to keep a captivated audience delighted to the end.

The beginning of the movie was surprising and emotionally impacting with a precipitous birth story in a diner. The scene was visually sanitized -- not a single tear or drop of blood to be scene -- but none the less my heart was caught up in the drama.

Kevin McGarry's character is apparently the perfect man, but turns out he has 16 unpaid parking tickets, so not completely perfect. Who wants a perfect guy, anyhow?

The secret identity drama was resolved without huge fanfare. Holiday cheer was had by all, and everyone wishes the Kevin McGarry could be their own personal leading man. Taylor Quinn is a beauty who brought the vulnerability as well. (And has anyone mentioned yet that Kevin McGarry is a great on-screen kisser -- he's the master -- another reason to watch!)