'Tis the Season for Love

This is a great romance. The actors are perfect and the story is super sweet. I love hallmark movies and this is probably one of my favorites. I would watch this even if it wasn't Christmas. Sarah Lancaster and Brendan Penny have great chemistry that makes this Christmas movie even better.

'Tis The Season For Love' is a movie with a good heart. The main theme that seemed apparent was 'choice'; the far reaching ripple effect on our lives, from simple decisions made early on. Nina Weinmans story evolves with a perfectly timed pace and the main character, Beth ( Sarah Lancaster) is portrayed with honest sincerity, while her journey to become her authentic self unfolds. Terry Ingrams vision is very well executed, with beautiful cinematography – wonderful colors and rich set detailing make for an enjoyable visual experience. The attention to detail set this movie apart, placing it in the top tier of the TV Holiday Movie genre (which I must admit, I love). Brendan Penny (Dean) creates a believable love interest and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop on screen. This movie is about love, family and the importance of community and how the surface appearance of success can actually be a mask covering doubts and insecurities. The musical score by Hal Beckett is heartfelt and playful; twinkly and sparkly in all the right festive places. He perfectly accents the intimate romantic moments with his delightful piano and string moments and the fun woodwind motifs really make those light comedic scenes work. Heartwarming stuff indeed.

This movie really is nothing new - it is realistic enough, but too dull, seen it all in these movies before. The worst part was when the lead told the children they 'did not miss a note' when they were off with the piano. I wouldn't intentionally watch it again, because I prefer more contrast / variety in these stories and there's nothing unique here to merit a re-watch. However, there are still a lot of good points regarding decision making and it might just give a bit of clarity when there's big decisions to be made. I also like that the lead was realistic about where she could afford to live - often homes in movies are too expensive for the characters' situations. I just wish they'd shown her two ideas of life in parallel and joined them together again at the end for a more original format for this genre - a bit like Sliding Doors but all-age friendly.

Christmas Confessions/'Tis The Season For Love (2015) -

I adore Brendan Penny and he should be in everything and get naked a lot! He's so fricking charming and adorable in all that he does, but especially as Dean in this film. He could easily get ME to settle down with him, but I'm not sure that the relationship that bloomed in this one, with Sarah Lancaster as Beth would really last. She would always be looking to make up for what she'd lost and even Brendan, with his gorgeous eyes, wouldn't be enough for her. Throughout this one she was a bit sulky, although I'm probably just jealous that she got to snog him, as evidenced by the fact I was shouting B!tch at the TV every time she did.

I liked Gwynyth Walsh as the Mum, even though she was a bit overexcited most of the time and her hyper behaviour did seem a bit hard to buy, but she was just jolly and so far from the Klingon she played in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (1987-94).

I also liked not knowing if the Father Christmas Beth talked to was the real one or not. It's those little touches of magic that add to these films, without making them silly. And Garry Chalk did very well in the role.

Overall the fact that Brendan Penny was in it, should be enough of a reason to watch it, but he was also playing a fireman. Sadly he doesn't get naked for a calendar, although he did in the version in my head.

It was sweet and cheery and full of Christmas. I'm always happy to come back to this one.

7.25/10.

I liked this movie very very much! I liked the plot, the setting and the kids.... where charming and pretty natural. The film had a good story to tell regarding dreams in general, in my opinion. It's very important to chase our dreams as much as understanding ourselves, our depest whishes and the fact that those dreams can change as we grow older and wiser through experience. I found the cast was very good also. Everybody in this film was great and represented their roles with emotions. Sarah Lancaster was very good but Brednan Penny was amazing as always! I like the way he approaches the parts he gets with innerness and charm. It's one of the movies i wish had a sequel....