Holiday for Heroes

Hallmark movies can only be judged against other Hallmark movies. They are a special genre. I wished I lived in Hallmarkland.

I really enjoyed this movie.

Being ex military and loving Christmas, I know how hard it is to be away from your loved ones. I also loved receiving and writing letters to my sister and pen pals. So this movie really touched my heart.

This was a really nice feel good movie and I'm so glad I picked it for my 100 Christmas movies challenge.

I like military movies and i love Christmas movies so this was a win win for me. I will watch it again.

Audrey (Melissa Claire Egan), a partner in running a cafe, has been exchanging letters for a year with soldier Matt (Marc Blucas). We see them finally meet and how this has an impact on both their lives and the lives of those around them. Both a romantic drama and a salute to the armed forces, you see the story play out from the perspectives of both protagonists, which is nice. It's a good production which is very engaging with great performances, especially from the two leads.

It is just one of very good Hallmark Christmas films. Because it propose more than the nice story, the familiar actors, the sweet humor and the chaines of cliches. A good story about militaries on operational fronts, comunity, siblings, small business, coffee and a story of love wise crafted. A real special film from Hallmark because it ignores some borders, defines a not easy theme and gives a decent , in delicate manner, portrait of the characters.

'Holiday for Heroes' is not the only Hallmark Christmas film to have a military theme. This didn't matter to me, as the military deserve so much credit for what they do and there should be no limit to show any appreciation. Which all the Hallmark Christmas films to have this theme do, some more so though than others and shall always appreciate the good intentions those films showed (others that spring to mind being 'Christmas Homecoming' and 'Operation Christmas').

Of those three, to me 'Operation Christmas' was the better overall film as it connected with me more emotionally and the central chemistry was better. When it comes to military representation accuracy, of the three 'Holiday for Heroes' perhaps fares best with it being the most layered and human. 'Holiday for Heroes' was a nicely done and very well intentioned effort with lots of admirable things. As well as a few things that could have been done better. As far as Hallmark Christmas films go overall, this is close to being one of the better ones and is easily one of the best of the 2019 Hallmark Christmas film output.

As said, 'Holiday for Heroes' is not perfect. The pace in the first third or so is a bit erratic, sometimes it jumps about but it also takes a while to get going.

Likewise with the chemistry between Marc Blucas and Melissa Claire Egan, which seemed disconnected to begin with but did warm significantly once the relationship developed. A bit stilted in the dialogue early on too.

Conversely, Blucas and Egan are both very well cast and very good here. Blucas especially and he is wholly deserving of the universal praise he's gotten for his beautifully restrained performance. Egan has had more of a mixed reaction for understandable reasons, she does start off rocky with some of her line delivery but once she settles she is very affecting and easy to like. The two came over realistically as characters, with flaws not being taken to extremes while showing some growth. The supporting cast do very well, with the standout being Latarsha Rose.

Furthermore, 'Holiday for Heroes' is a pleasant looking film with the scenery standing out in particular, while the soundtrack matches the spirit of the holiday and the film's themes very well. The script is neither too corny or over-serious, and doesn't come over as muddled tonally. Really liked its sincerity and heart. The story is very heart-warming and moving, even if it could have been tighter, and a good job is done showing the human side of the military and its loyalty.

In conclusion, not great but well done. 7/10.