One Winter Weekend

I watch a lot of Hallmark movies. I love the winter theme of the four "Winterfest" movies of 2018. This film is mostly set at a ski resort. The scenery is wonderful and the snowboarding theme is fun. The production is very slick. But I didn't feel much real "heart" or chemistry in this movie.

I think where it fell short for me was in the lead actress, Taylor Cole. She seemed like an ice princess (no pun intended), very cold and distant and bitchy. Especially bitchy and princess-y at first. Even once she "warmed up" in the storyline, she still struck me as someone I wouldn't like in real life. Kind of a "mean girl" vibe. The lead actor, Jack Turner, was good but not memorable. Maybe it was because of the lead actress he had to work with.

For me in these Hallmarks, I find two things can push them from serviceable to ones I love and will rewatch. The first thing is the script. I love the particularly witty or funny scripts like the recent "Love Always, Santa" or "The Seven Year Hitch". The second thing is the lead actors and their chemistry. For example in "Broadcasting Christmas", I loved the quirky and warm Melissa Joan Hart and the ever-boy-next-door Dean Cain. In the case of 'One Winter Weekend', the script never rose above formula, the lead female was not likeable, and I wasn't feeling the chemistry between the leads.

On the plus side, I liked the side romance with the bffs, Rukiya Bernard and Dewshane Williams. She's super cute and I hope she does more Hallmark.

In sum: If you love Hallmark, worth watching once, but I won't be saving this one.

It was nice to see a little more diversity on display in a Hallmark film, with there being almost two love stories playing out here.

If I were being cynical though I would say that the black couple do come across more as the supporting pair though.

I thought this was a fun film on the whole, with some nice little deviations from the standard Hallmark format.

There is a sequel I believe too.

I liked the movie, though I don't understand why Taylor Cole's character is so snooty in the first half.

The best friends were enjoyable to watch as a couple. They should have gotten more screen time.

It was nice that it wasn't just a romance. Three of the leads make decisions about their careers. It's a movie about the freedom to your wings.

Cara Reneau (Taylor Cole) is tired of the dating expectation and given up dating as her New Year resolution. As a magazine relationship writer, her boss is concerned especially if she is to be promoted to editor. Due to a last minute cancellation, she joins her best friend Megan (Rukiya Bernard) on a ski vacation. The problem is that another mistake has forced them to share a chalet with Ben Livingston and Sean. Cara and Ben do not get alone. Obviously, they're destined to be together.

Taylor Cole can project a cold hard character. It's a little different this time. It may be her dye job or her friendship or simply her character. There is more softness which helps in a Hallmark movie. The drama isn't that heightened. Their connection is inevitable after the initial meet-cute conflicts. Time and time again, the drama is turned down. It's fine for this type of movies. I really like the cuteness of the best friends. Rukiya is great. It's always an expectation to grade these movies on a curve. I'll meet that halfway and say this is almost tolerable.

If you love the Hallmark winter romance cliches, it must see it !Because each of them is present and, in essence, it is a nice thing. The ice princess, the good heart guy, who preserve secret his identity, the boss ignoring the weekend of her people, the correct policy in racial percentage, the revelation and storm changing everything. The coffee cups, the secret dreams and memories of childhood and, off course, the lovely friendship. Nothing new but not boring . So, just Hallmark.