A Maple Valley Christmas

Any Hallmark movie aficionado who has ever rolled their eyes at the "almost kiss" that is usually a fixture about midway in the course of the romance might want to check this one out. 10 or 15 minutes in and before the sun has set on the day they meet, the girl launches herself at the guy and plants one on him. He was very surprised, but not half as surprised as I was. It was a jawdropper.

Andrew walker, Aaron, is sent by his property developer father, Steve, to Maple valley to buy a piece of land that he has had his eye on for years. The land adjoins the tree farm and maple syrup business of the Holden Family. The mother has recently given equal control of the operation to her two daughters. The older daughter, Erica is determined to buy back this land that once belonged to them. The younger daughter wants to use the money to expand their syrup business and maybe "go retail". Which left me scratching my head. Their syrup business seems to be their source of income and is apparently thriving (shocker!) Yet they only seem to sell it at festival booths.

There is lots of conflict in this one. Aaron and his father are at odds because the father perceives Aaron as lazy and unambitious. Aaron does not like his father's business practices and putting his company over family his whole life. When Aaron gives up the land for Erica, Steve is irate and hot-foots it to Maple Valley himself.

There is conflict between the two sisters. The younger, Heidi, does not want to buy the land and feels Erica is running rough-shod over her when they are supposed to be equal partners. She feels discounted.

The mother is retiring because she is moving to Italy with her boyfriend and wants no part of the sisters' dispute. Erica is upset that her mother is leaving home and putting love and companionship over family and business. She is at odds with her Mom, her boyfriend, and even the Christmas tree and what to have for Christmas dinner. Erica is a piece of work, but somehow I didn't hate her. At least she communicates, which is a nice change in a Hallmark movie. She's also upset with Aaron when the father shows up to buy the land afterall. Aaron quits his father and the company he is heir to in order to start his own company. Erica's sister quits the family business. Erica and Steve, the ultimate antagonists, both seem to be in the same boat.

How all of these people come together in love and understanding bowing their heads in prayer at Christmas dinner makes for a pretty interesting journey. What I don't get is what happened to the Fernandez land? Did the Holden's buy it, or was Mister Fernandez left in the lurch? And did Aaron stay in his father's business or strike out on his own? But one thing's for sure. Andrew Walker looked weird in that Cowboy hat.

This is the first movie I've watched so far this year, and it's pretty much the usual Hallmark fare: boy meets girl, boy and girl lose their minds, everything falls apart, and then...well I won't spoil the end.

One thing that is a tried and true part of the Hallmark formula is turned on it's head early on.

The sub-plots/conflicts are nothing new: guy and dad, girl and sister. Ms. List is very pretty, and Andrew Walker is the same as always.

This being Hallmark, it should be noted that there is an absence of mixed race (unless you count European) or homosexual relationships. That is important to some. Indeed it's chased half of Hallmark's audience over to GAC.

Being the first movie I've watched this year, I don't really have much to compare it to, but it does seem like an ok Hallmark Christmas movie.

I do really hate that hat though.

Rating this a 5/10 because of great locations and decent set dressing. Costumes could have used an alternate to that red dress - YIKES! Everything was fine and not the average over-the-top-Hallmark-Christmas-costume-y until that dress! I will always appreciate Andrew Walker in any Christmas movie, but Peyton's character was one of the worst. I don't want to watch a 40-something year old person behave horribly from start to finish. No thanks. She "redeems" herself far too quickly at the end (even for a Hallmark film) and I wasn't buying it. Once a brat, always a brat, especially if they are an older brat. I guess the script did Peyton dirty. Glad to cross this off my Hallmark list, but won't be rewatching any time, which is something I usually do with some of the better ones.

This movie has a lot more meat to it than most of the Hallmark Christmas films. On the one side a believable division between two sisters, and on the other side a believable division between father and son. Then there is the surprising decision from the mother, ready to retire and let her daughters take over the business.

While some viewers didn't see a connection between the romantic leads, we did. They had plenty of screen time together doing the types of things that build friendship which can transition to more than friendship.

So despite some of the reviews, we do like Andrew Walker in most of the stuff we've seen him in, and that gave us a reason to check it out. I'm glad we did.

7.7 stars.

Peyton List has that face for me. My imaginary soulmate has a visage very similar. I know many would probably disagree saying her face is flawed somehow, who knows, it's just my opinion. She is one of my favorite actresses mainly because she's decent overall, at least in specific roles, this being one. So now this review will be skewed in proportion to the angelic nature of her appearance and presence. Ok, I'll keep it real for the sake of consistency. The movie is not bad, it's laid back, has a nice slow pace. All the actors are good as usual these days for Hallmark. Back in the 2016 and prior movies, sometimes it would be hit and miss, but the last several years I feel the acting in general is of higher quality.

I am pleasantly surprised in her sister's performance, she's a real heart stopper that one, lovely, and beautiful, charismatic, and a good actress. We have the privilege of two leading ladies in this movie.

There are many old wounds that need healing in this story, and everyone is ready and able to mend each others hearts. A son has difficulty measuring up to his father's impossible standards, and a daughter is hard on herself, needs perspective and the ability to cope with failure. Together they help each other improve, and as a bonus they fall madly in love. The anticipation, friction, and tension is palpable, and really adds to the passion. I'd recommend this inspiring tale for anyone who also likes horses, outdoors, farms, and lots of trees and snow.

The end was well crafted with forgiveness, closure, good food and Christmas joy.