Christmas at Castle Hart

Traditional Hallmark plot lines - except the "silly sister" character tended to get in the way. I am disappointed that Hallmark producers couldn't find a less goofy actress. She was a distraction to the flow of the film. Here's to returning to "what works" in the future.

5/10 - I love a Lacey Chabert Christmas movie as much (or even more) as the next person, but I felt like her charm was a bit buried in this rather boring 2021 Hallmark Channel offering.

This movie not only worked on every level, it is heartbreaking since Lacey's sister in real life passed away a few days before this came out. She said how much this movie reminded her of her sister. Another brilliant performance from Lacey. Watch it, you will love it! My only complaint is the one who played her sister didn't work for me. A little too silly.

I've been waiting to watch this movie because I love Stuart Townsend. They could have done so much more with this movie. Why go all the way to Ireland and do the same old Christmas movie? Girl meets boy, falls for him, he falls for her and she lies to him about who she really is and he doesn't want anything to do with her. Of course it ends happily ever after but we've seen this one before. I gave this 8 stars for Stuart Townsend and the beautiful shots of Ireland.

This 2021 Hallmark Christmas movie actually have me sort of conflicted.

On one hand, the movie was actually rather enjoyable and proved to be more than the usual Hallmark Christmas cheese of over-the-top romance. Sure, the movie had romance in it as well, but the romance didn't feel overshadowing for the storyline and the rest of the movie.

Then on the other hand, the storyline sort of indicates that lying through your teeth and identity theft is something that is okay to do, and you won't even get a slap on the wrist for doing so. On that account then writers Bonnie Fairweather, Paul Campbell and Rick Garman sort of dropped the ball.

But if you can look past the blatant disregard for the identity theft and the criminal implications that leads to, then the storyline told in "Christmas at Castle Hart" was actually entertaining and enjoyable. And director Stefan Scaini did manage to deliver a wholesome Christmas movie.

There is a good cast ensemble in this movie, with the likes of Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend in the lead roles. They carried the movie quite well, and definitely had good on-screen chemistry.

If you enjoy Christmas movies, then you certainly should give "Christmas at Castle Hart" a chance, provided you get the chance to watch it. I was genuinely entertained by this movie.

My rating of "Christmas at Castle Hart" lands on a six out of ten stars.