Nobody should watch Hallmark films with massively high expectations, their Christmas output particularly. If a Hallmark fan or wanting to see as many Christmas films as possible, expectations would understandably be higher. They are very formulaic with most of them being more of the same narratively and structurally, apart from sporadic attempts at changes of pace. There are a fair share of them though that are surprisingly above average and even good amidst the many average and less ones.
2019 was a very hit and miss and somewhat unimpressive year for Hallmark and their Christmas output. 'Holiday Hearts' to me, and many others it seems, managed to be one of the best from that year and actually among their best Christmas films in general. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch, then again is that expected from Hallmark, or flawless. But 'Holiday Hearts' does show that Hallmark do have a good film in them if given a chance and not taken too seriously.
Like other Hallmark Christmas films, 'Holiday Hearts' is a bit of a slow starter. Some of the dialogue in the early parts did make me cringe and the story didn't grab me straight away when it was very slight. Anybody expecting innovation are best looking elsewhere, as when it comes to the story it is one of those stories that you've seen in some shape or form in other Hallmark films.
While other Hallmark films fared worse, the music is on the intrusive side.
However, for me there was a lot to like about 'Holiday Hearts'. Ashley Williams is very photogenic and has a lot of charm to her, she is a lot better here than she was in 'Northern Lights of Christmas'. She doesn't overdo any mannerisms and she doesn't hold back. She has a suitably sympathetic but never on the wrong side of dull leading man in Paul Campbell. Both the characters were for me easy to connect to and grew in development, with any rushed or senseless motivations. Their chemistry comes over as genuine as well. Lisa Durupt is good fun in her role.
It pleases visually too, especially the appropriately festive locations that are not drably shot or too drab in colour scheme. Once 'Holiday Hearts' gets going and things get better, the dialogue is tighter and less stilted than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films and the cheese and sentiment isn't as much. The story is very predictable admittedly, but it still engaged me and was charming and heart-warming while not taking itself too seriously. It is not as slight as most Hallmark Christmas films too, again though once it gets going. The characters may be well worn cliches, but they came over to me as likeable enough and any negative character traits didn't come over as over the top like can be the case in Hallmark Christmas films. Actually cared for these characters, not the case with a lot of recently seen Christmas films.
Overall, worth seeing if not a must. 7/10
