I was somewhat unimpressed with ION's first two originals this 2020 season. So, I was doubting the quality of this one a bit beforehand. It turns out, this was an entertaining Christmas movie. I really enjoyed it. The storyline is a bit different, which I liked. Holly (played by Jennifer Freeman) plans a romantic Christmas getaway with her boyfriend Phil (played by Michael Copon). The trip doesn't start as she planned (her proposal of marriage goes south, that is). A horse-drawn sleigh driver (played by Johnny Pacar), with a horse named Snowdrop, convinces her to enjoy the small town of Winterland (as opposed to taking the train home in tears). And so, this romantic Christmas journey begins. The plot, of course, was quite predictable once their journey began. That said, I think what is most important is whether the movie pulls you in, engages you. I found myself pulled in by the story from the start. The dialogue and exchanges between Holly and Jake (the horse-drawn sleigh driver) were warm, cute, and fun, which was one of the strengths of the script, I thought. There was even a bit of comedy around the ex-boyfriend, Phil, to boot. What made all this work on screen was the acting. Freeman had a lovely performance. She had a happy and warm, yet focused, vibe to her portrayal of Holly. She was great on screen, I felt. Pacar's performance was also strong. The chemistry between the two worked well, which is important in a romance movie. About 52 minutes in, the scene in the cabin, I was rooting for them to kiss. Some good chemistry there. The supporting cast had a solid performance as well. For example, Copon did a good job; I had a little laugh here and there with his performance. The scenery, props, and sets were quite festive and cozy. You got love Snowdrop, of course. All in all, it is a fun, cute, and festive movie, a nice new edition to ION's 2020 Christmas movie lineup.
