Rocky Mountain Christmas

It's not too corny or cheesy in terms of the story. I always wonder what might happen if a common woman meets a highly-known star. They try to make it seems real, but they don't pull it off that well. It's not a blockbuster movie that costs a lot to make, so you'll understand better when I put it to you that way. It's worth a viewing or two and more if it comes around every Holiday season. It doesn't top the 'Christmas Getaway' movie as the premiere this week, but it's decent enough to watch. Give it a shot! It is better than some of the past Hallmark movies. And I just noticed that I'm the first to give this movie a review. Well, it just premiered two nights ago, so that's understandable.

Some have criticized this movie for sentimentality and lack of tension, but that's exactly what draws us to it. Yes, while there are some roadblocks placed in the way of the romance, they move gently out of the way of their own volition, becoming speedbumps instead.

There are a LOT of these movies made every year, and a lot of them have tension galore. I can use a few which provide a more relaxing watch.

The soundtrack includes "Let it be Christmas" by Alan Jackson, which is well placed and Alan Jackson is always a good listen. :-)

The leads play well together, and we typically very much like Kristopher Polaha's roles. Treat Williams always plays well, and we've liked Lindy Booth since we first saw her in The Librarian.

If I take a step back, I'd think the storyline of Sara (Lindy Booth), an Interior Designer of New York Hotels, who'd suffered a recent split from a TV celebrity , returns for Christmas to the family ranch in Colorado owned by her Uncle (Treat Williams), but who then meets a film star (Kristoffer Polaha) , who's learning to be a ranch-hand for his upcoming movie - then I'd say it's a big recipe for Corn & cheese !! However, both leads way out-perform a limited script , and are well supported by the supporting cast, especially Treat Williams who gives a bravura performance as a recently widowed rancher. I've seen a few Hallmark Christmas movies this Winter - and this is a pretty good one. Either that or I'm turning into a soppy romantic , the older I get !

Sarah (Lindy Booth) is a decorator for a major hotel chain in Manhattan. She's very good at her job. But, a part of her heart is back in Colorado where her uncle raised her and her brother. Around Christmastime, Sarah takes a vacation back to the ranch and is upset by what she sees. Her uncle Roy (Treat Williams) lost his wife of many years some months before and he has given up on decorating and celebrating the holidays. There will be no Xmas parade in the town, no special tree lighting. True, it is hard to do these tasks without his mate, Beth. At once, Sarah decides the she and her brother Cody will try to make the parade happen. But, ho ho ho. A rather-famous actor, Graham (Kristoffer Polaha) arrives at the ranch to "learn the ropes" as he is preparing for an upcoming film. Disliking him at first and having very little time anyway, Sarah soon starts G's instruction when they warm up to one another. Graham also proves a valuable helper for the parade, etc. But, horrors, there's more. Roy may actually be thinking of selling the ranch and moving elsewhere. How can her uncle sell what is most precious to Sarah? This lovely movie has a sweet, predictable story, a cute cast, lovely scenery and universal themes of Christmas happiness. If you are a fan of Hallmark's Xmas romances, you will definitely want to view this one in the Rockies, the Ozarks, or wherever you are.

I tend to set my expectations very low for TV movies, and in fact, I rarely watch them. But this one had an interesting premise with a movie star named Graham arriving to a small town ranch to train for his upcoming movie role. I thought at first that he was going to conceal his identity from the female love interest.... But no, that came out right away, and what transpired from there was the typical sweet conversations and scenes of Graham showing that he's really just a good guy not an entitled movie star after all. It was pretty slow without any significant plot twists and story conflict points. Both of the leads have appeal though as actors.