Ms. Christmas Comes to Town

8.1 stars.

Occasionally Hallmark does a traveling theme as a major part of the story, whether it's flying: flight attendant interaction, or someone is stuck in an airport...driving: cross country with strangers, or from here to there, stuck in bad weather (usually snow), stranded while traveling...and they all have a common element: strangers on an adventure end up falling in love.

This one is a bit different than all the rest as far as I can recall, because it's about a celebrity and her workers traveling in an RV. There aren't many RV centered movies by Hallmark that I'm aware of.

Ms. Christmas and her entourage are driving across Washington State for her final tour as the Christmas matriarch of a TV shopping network. My first impression after reading this brief synopsis would be: this is a dead end script, snooze-fest, no way am I going to waste my time, I will put it on the back burner. I would be gravely mistaken if I followed my gut instinct, however, I delayed watching it for a few weeks for that very reason. I am surprised at how wrong I was.

This is another one of those uncommon "it speaks for itself", just give it a moment, movies from Hallmark. It's inventive, cutting edge, hilarious, bleak, emotional...I don't know how they did it, but this story is alive in a magical way, ranging from thoroughly entertaining and fun to endearing and romantic. I will watch this more than once.

The start of this movie is fun and has a few surprises before the leads in this film start their christmassy tour on wheels. The actors are talented and it is impossible not to have high hopes for this film. However the story takes a turn for the worse, it becomes sappy and unrealistic as the bus moves from town to town. The storyline is rather bland and the cast despite their long experience and acting skills cannot make this holiday movie anything but a wreck. That said, the leads got a cool and down-to-earth way of being. I would love to see all three of them in a different Christmas film as soon as possible!

For the record let me say with each passing year I watch less and less Christmas movies not because I don't want to but because most of them follow the same repurposed plot lines over and over again. Well hello Ms. Christmas!! From beginning to end I wasn't bored, I didn't roll my eyes, and I didn't fall asleep! I thought Barbara Niven acted her role perfectly, she was believable, beautiful and cute as a button, nevermind she's 70, she looks fantastic. I also enjoyed BE & ED, I liked the fact they hit it off right away in the beginning of the movie instead of a build up to one small predictable kiss at the end. I say a job well done to all involved with this project and I truly hope Hallmark will not be quite so lazy when it comes to Christmas movies.... more originality like this one will keep me coming back each year. Kudos.

This production caught my attention when I saw Brennan Elliott (virtually guarantees a 7+ rating, just due to his professionalism and relaxed posture on film). Then you mix in two more seasoned actresses, Barbara Niven (Chesapeake Shores) and Erica Durance, the movie had am emotional maturity (not just by age) that has been lacking in this season's movie offerings. Again, the storyline is only a small twist from a lot of Hallmark's formulae, ie. Travelling to small towns for the holidays. What makes this story gratifying is the interaction of the 3 central characters. It is believable, onscreen, how they care for one another, and the romance that develops between Ms. Holiday and Mr. Winter is quite conceivable, despite a very short backstory. The kiss is definitely warranted. Ms. Christmas is elegant, and earnest. She thinks of Ms. Holiday as her own daughter, and doesn't dump the dire news of her impending death on her or her high school sweetheart, who floats into the story as the secondary romance. The Christmas traditions are rolled into the screenplay, and fit in here (not forcibly), as a means of deepening the attraction of Ms. Holiday and Mr. Winter. All-in-all one of the best, so far, this year in strengthening your belief in the good of humanity (heartwarming). The movie closes, cleverly, by wishing us in the audience a Happy Holidays!

I'm the biggest criric of Hallmark productions,must admit my feelings are usually negative.. Mostly due to cut,copy & paste stories.

So far this year it seems Hallmark is trying,maybe they got newer writers? Regardless,it's refreshing.

Oh sure.. Had some typical formulas,but wasn't filled with over used Hallmark clichés.

In all honesty was waiting for the health issue to dissappear(Christmas miracle)or some type of argument/misunderstanding that gets fixed quickly,but shocking it didn't actually happen.

This was cast & acted decent,plus as always.. Cinematography is nicely done.

The music wasn't out doing the conversations,it's nice hearing the actors talk.

Hope we see more new stuff.. You shouldn't be able to fall asleep,wake & feel you missed nothing.

Most years been watching Lifetime,so.. Keep up with your changes Hallmark! We can only take so many festival & other common topics,that are the same.

Although would be nice having movies in some actual,US cities being represented versus Canada.

Anyway.. Worth seeing this,at least once during the holiday.