Natale a sorpresa

The very fact that the premise is so unlikely for any of the participants to actually go along with is the strength of this movie. What mom would agree to this? Even more so, what new girlfriend would create the invitation? So many people complain (including me) about Hallmark's lack of fresh stories - this one is different.

At first, Kate is too perfect. And Brooke Nevin handles this quite well and even more so as the cracks in her façade appear.

The self-deprecating, clumsy, insecure Maggie is right in Amy Acker's wheelhouse. Many of us first knew her as Angel's Winnifred, but Acker has since been so many other personalities. Hallmark has used her, twice I think, but I think they should do so even more going forward. Actually, Acker probably overdoes this role slightly, but this personality is important in the story, so it's not surprising she has to really sell it.

Yes, Angst. The situation is unlikely because it's awkward and full of angst, and all the main actors bring this out. The insecurity of a mother afraid of losing her daughters to a step mother. A possible step mother afraid of competing with the real mom for both her possible husband and the girls. An ex-husband and boyfriend caught in the middle trying to reconcile them all but making mistakes that only make things seem worse. Isn't all this realistic?

There is a little more depth in this story than the usual Hallmark Christmas movie. It's not quite up with Two Turtle Doves, or Holly & Ivy, but this movie isn't the same old fluff like so many we get between late October and the first of the year.

I liked that there were no villains. In so many movies where there is a rival girlfriend or rival boyfriend, that person is developed into a villain. Often, the writers turn that character at the end to make them into an understanding and forgiving person. I never like either trope. It doesn't feel natural. But there doesn't have to be a true romantic rival here and thus there doesn't have to be a villain. These are real people trying to do the best they can for themselves and for two young girls. It's true that Jeff is wrong in a few ways including blaming Maggie for the situation, but it's only because he too is trying to dig himself out of a mess, and everyone's first reaction to a mess is to find someone to blame.

I thought the ending was a hair anti-climatic so maybe not a perfect score for this movie.

The ex-husband was really, really, miscast, and while the all around nice-ness of the ex and step-mother dynamic is a bit too saccharine for me, the emotions of a blended family during Christmas make it worth watching.

Don't let the title put you off. From the title, one would think that 'Crashing Through the Snow' could be very cheesy and corny. Did remind myself though that there are many Hallmark films with unappealing, corny titles, but actually the content of the film itself is more mature than it sounds. This did sound interesting and different, and with it being one of the better reviewed 2021 Hallmark films of an inconsistent year expectations were raised.

Those expectations were met on the whole. 'Crashing Through the Snow' did something different, which was really appreciated in a year where there was a good deal of tired executions of tired formulas, and did it very well a vast majority of the time. As far as the 2021 Hallmark films go, 'Crashing Through the Snow' is one of the best by quite some way, along with 'A New Year's Resolution' and 'As Luck Would Have It' (that one surprised me).

Will begin with the not so good. The ex-boyfriend character could have been better incorporated in the story perhaps, the role is a bit of a stretch in the context of the situation and is played a little too seriously.

Also thought that the final quarter was on the too rushed and tidy side.

However, 'Crashing Through the Snow' is near-uniformly well acted, especially Amy Acker and Brooke Nevin as the most real characters and Acker and Warren Christie work well together. The characters mostly don't come over as excessively over the top, there is awkwardness but it fits with the tone, and they are not dull either. The dramas and conflicts feel realistic and relatable and don't come over as too sentimental or forced.

It looks good and the music at least fits and sounds appealing. The script is funny and light-hearted while also having a serious edge when needed without going overboard in that. The story doesn't come over as formulaic, structurally it's unique for the 2021 Hallmark films with very little typical or recycled about it (by Hallmark standards that is). It is warm-hearted and has a liveliness, without going overkill. There is some awkwardness but the conflicts and situation called for that. It is also heart-warming and never mean-spirited.

Overall, a surprising winner and much better than the title suggests. A title that doesn't do it justice. 8/10.

I enjoyed this 'Christmas in July' Hallmark movie. The plot was a bit more 'grown up' as another reviewer has pointed out, and the acting was very strong. The underlining message too was warm and heartfelt, which is what one might expect when watching a Hallmark movie. The storyline revolves around Maggie Collins (played by Amy Acker), who is awkwardly invited by her ex-husband Jeff's (played by Kristian Bruun) girlfriend Kate (played by Brooke Nevin) to spend Christmas with them and the children at her parents' estate in Aspen, Colorado. The plot thickens when Kate's brother Sam (played by Warren Christie) shows up for Christmas. Noticing that Maggie is struggling with seeing her daughters spend time with the new girlfriend/family, he makes her an offer to help her 'beat' his sister in the 'competition to win Christmas'. Little did they know that such a partnership would lead to something much more. Though the plot was very 'Hallmark' (predictable), it dealt with real-life issues common in the US; i.e., how parents and children deal with blended families after divorce, especially during the holidays. The script was strong, though I would have liked a bit more development of a backstory as to why Maggie and Jeff divorced. The dialogue between the two leads (Maggie and Sam) was engaging. Indeed, the chemistry between Amy Acker and Warren Christie was quite convincing on screen, I felt. The hot springs scene towards the end, for example, felt authentic. Warren too had some nice warm scenes with the daughters. Overall, both had excellent performances. The supporting cast was strong. The two daughters (played by Summer Howell and Myla Volk) both had very cute performances. If I am being honest, it did take me a while to get used to Kristian Bruun's performance as Jeff (the ex-husband); it seemed awkward at times. The movie too had a bit of your typical Hallmark festive cheer and Christmas spirit. In particular, I enjoyed the Reindeer Relay. The wrapping paper ornaments were a new one for me as well. And, of course, it would not be a Hallmark movie without the building of a gingerbread house. The music in this one was also done well, especially during the reindeer relay scenes, something that Hallmark and Lifetime don't always get right. All in all, it was a wonderful way to begin the 2021 Christmas season (in July). I highly recommend it.

This is a more mature Hallmark movie, it still has "cocoa" and "traditions", but it's more modern and real. Jeff and Maggie are a divorced couple, that's the new reality and Jeff has a girlfriend Kate and Maggie has a developing relationship with Sam, Kate's brother. That parallels life, even though Hallmark would like all marriages to be "forever" they aren't, people get divorced and remarry. Amy Acker and Warren Christie the two leads have chemistry and the story is good and believable.

Hallmark has missed so many opportunities for hits, like the 2016 film "The Pumpkin Pie Wars" with Eric Aragon and Julie Gonzalo. They could have had spin offs from that movie, but they missed it. They have had competition from Lifetime, UP, Paramount and others ,which means their "formulaic" model isn't a trade secret any longer. Hallmark has to up their game and produce a higher quality product.