Take Me Back for Christmas

Christmas aside (it was a minor part of the story and actually could have been Thanksgiving or no holiday at all), this is a sentimental story about balancing family, friends, work, and personal ideals.

Our protagonist has a lot going on: work, husband, mother, and house--as well as fear.

I love the genre of going back in time or into an alternate dimension. It's always fun to see the individual in flux while getting familiar with the new setting into which they have been magically placed.

Self-discovery is always interesting to me and I found the ways of the protagonist's learning in this film to be unique--we're talking tear-jerker potential.

Endings and new beginnings. Love and loss and love. A romcom happy ending.

There's so much to love about this particular Hallmark movie. I was pleasantly surprised how much I genuinely enjoyed it. The story is very well written and well thought out, which cannot be said for many TV romcom movies. The acting is topnotch as well. Vanessa Lengies and Corey Sevier are perfectly matched and pull off their roles with aplomb and then some. Their easy chemistry and comedic skills are particularly notable. Kudos to Kate Pragnell for crafting such a terrific script and to Sevier for his directing skills as well. Lengies really shines and connects, with Sevier, with the actress who portrays her mom (Paula Boudreau) and with the audience. This one is worth watching over again for its message and all-around enjoyability. It won't be a surprise to me if it ends up being one of Hallmark's most successful movies of 2023.

Vanessa Lengies has come a long way from the beauteous but spoiled airhead Joanne Charis character she inconsistently played in 2006's Stick It (with an intimidating Jeff Bridges as co-star). She has matured gracefully both physically and professionally in her acting skills. This is highlighted in this most recent starring turn in a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie. It is shown in the onscreen chemistry she has with her romantic co-star and director, Corey Sevier. It is most apparent in her surprisingly sensitive and earnestly sympathetic portrayal of a character that might have been given an over-the-top simpering touch by other actresses in Hallmark's roster.

The movie itself is derivative with the usual tropes and cliches but Sevier kept the pace and balance evenly to focus on the movie's characters (thankfully no caricatures) and themes. Every year Hallmark has at least 1 home run of a movie. I haven't seen all of Hallmark Channel's 2022's Christmas offerings and this one's for 2023 but I think it may be a top contender. I'm giving it a solid 8.

PS.

I think Vanessa Lengies might be Alan Rickman's daughter.

Forget the worn out storyline. Of course it is just that. Take it as the Hallmark movie that it is and appreciate the talented cast. I say well done to all of them. Corey Sevier's role was meant to be less than the female leads'. That's the chosen storyline. But I didn't find that there was any less chemistry between them than you'd expect. It was cute, sometimes funny and, yes, a little silly/ unrealistic at times. It is a fantasy Christmas movie. And a made for tv romcom.

Nice scenery, great costuming and lovely relationship between mother and daughter. I wasn't really familiar with Vanessa Lengies (female lead) but she carried the show and was the spark that brought all the characters to life. A lot of depth in her performance. I liked her even when the script put her in a few silly/uncomfortable situations. And Corey Sevier never disappoints, always handles his roles well.

I'd definitely watch this again.

I watched the Prince Crush movie a couple days ago and gave it a 3 star because it was so awful. The cast was a complete disaster and story plot so overdone.

Then I watch this one and I am in complete love with the cast. Yes this might be a repeat story plot but this was so fresh and sweet. I'm crying and laughing and rooting for this loving couple.

This is what a Hallmark movie should be.

Please Please Please use whoever you did to create this movie again and again!

And make sure you cast Vanessa Lengies in more of your movies because she is so delightful. I remembered her from the reboot of Turner and Hooch.

Thank you for an enjoyable true Hallmark movie!!!