Il Natale di Julia

Just one of nice Halmark films about rivalries and final alliance against common enemy, all in the frame of love story. Not a version of Romeo and Juliet but a good option for Barta Heiner as the grandmother. So, just nice. And vechicle for a decent, in few scenes charming story.

I like the leads together Rachel and Wes smile and act all lovey dovey. A lawyer and an MBA from rival inn keeping families join forces to outbid a big resort threatening their family inns. The solution to their troubles uses both their skills. If not for these likeable stars there might not that much to recommend this movie.

Pretty weak for a Rachel Boston movie, but rarely do I rate any Hallmark movie less than 5. The story line was so thin, the whole cast, but especially the two leads, seemed to be more consumed with explaining the movie and pushing it ahead, rather than actually talking like real people do. Not much in the way of chemistry among anyone; look for just about any other movie she or he have been in and it's a good bet it will be better than this.

I've watched many Hallmark movies. Sure they all have the same formula but some do better with that formula than others. This is one of those. I'm not sure what one of the reviewers was talking about stating that Rachel Boston and Wes Brown didn't have chemistry. I thought they had great chemistry. Loved the plot line of the feuding families. I loved this one because it made me laugh. So many of the Hallmark ones this season are so serious. I needed to laugh and this one did it for me. I wish they'd do a part 2 to this one.

I went into this expecting very little. I thought Rachel Boston would overact and play another overly cutesy quirky character and Wes Brown would underact and be wooden and awkward. I was pleasantly surprised because I actually really loved their chemistry and their characters. They seemed natural together and they balanced each other and played off each other very well. Wes Brown was fun and confident and just seemed comfortable in the role. Sexy even, which although he is a very good looking man, I just didn't find him attractive before this movie. He has never fully won me over in the past. I've found him a bit dull and he has looked a bit uncomfortable in past films, like he didn't want to be there. Which is why I was surprised at how great and appealing he was in this movie. He needs more characters like this where he can show a confident, playful and witty side that comes off much more natural. Rachel Boston played a mature woman finally and came off as appealing, coy and flirty instead of her usual immature-and-trying-hard-to-seem-young-and-adorable choice of acting. Don't get me wrong, I have watched her movies for many years and have liked most of them, but after so long playing the same personality in character after character, it becomes less cute and at some point you've got to grow. This movie gave her a chance to shine and I really enjoyed her in this and look forward to future movies. In case my review didn't express it well, I loved this movie so much that I will watch it again before winter is over.