Une couronne pour Noël

We've all seen this film a million times, most notably, "The Sound of Music." But this is the Hallmark Channel, a network to see clean films featuring actors from soap operas, 90210, Dancing with the Stars, and that ilk.

It's the kind of thing you'd watch if your parents were in the room rather than, say, Boardwalk Empire.

Allie (Danica McKellar) is fired from her job as a maid in a fancy hotel in New York. She takes a job in Europe as a governess to a king's daughter and moves into the castle.

The king is played by MI-5's Rupert Penry-Jones, actually kind of a big actor to be in a film like this. Nevertheless, as soon as we see his handsome face and hear that accent, we know what's going to happen.

Of course, there's the fiancée (Alexandra Evans) that he doesn't love but must marry for dynastic reasons and some good character actors.

Danica McKellar is well known from "The Wonder Years." She's very pretty and I was shocked to find out she that she's forty! She easily can pass for someone in her twenties. She gives a lovely performance. Penry-Jones is always good and does the dignified, formal kingly bit very well.

This is an enjoyable movie to be taken just as it is, sweet and romantic.

After I watched the movie I discovered the actress played Winnie in the Wonder Years 1988-1993 she is now about 40. She plays a 31 year old in this film which was fine. I enjoyed it and it was fairly well done but I probably would not watch it again because it got a bit too predictable at the end.

The lead actress was great and yes there was a purposeful imitation to the Sound of Music. Her character was to be adored by all. When asked to give a toast "here's to those who have seen us at our best and at our worst but cannot tell the difference" Enjoyed seeing the King being taken with her "speaking her mind" manner. Loved the King's daughter. Much was very well done in the movie. The horse scene with the King was excellent.

This is a great Xmas TV movie- one of the best I've seen. Really enjoyable. It's a classic story but has characters you root for and have great chemistry.

Loved it. Just what you want in a Christmas romance.

SEQUEL PLEASE

Watched 'Crown for Christmas' with not the highest of expectations, fairly mixed actually. While loving Christmas for as long as can be remembered and liking particularly Rupert Penry-Jones in other things, Hallmark have been very variable (veering towards average or less more than once) when it comes to films of theirs mixing Christmas and royalty. The title sounded sweet but the concept sounded so been there, done that and flimsy.

'Crown for Christmas' turned out to be much better than expected, being well above average and even really quite good. Which is not what the plot synopsis indicated it would be if it was executed wrongly. It may not be flawless or a masterpiece, but it is for me one of the best Hallmark Christmas films out of a very mixed bunch and one of the best of theirs mixing Christmas and royalty. Actually being one of the good ones and one that rises above its concept.

Sure it is thin in story, occasionally silly and can be very predictable. A lot of situations being quite over-familiar and lacking freshness.

Did have reservations here and there with Danica McKellar. Mostly she is appealing, but she also overdoes it for my liking at times.

Again though, mostly she is very charming with a character not too hard to root for and not too stock. All the cast are good, with the remarkably nuanced performance of Penry-Jones coming out on top. 'Crown for Christmas' is one of the Hallmark Christmas films to have characters that didn't annoy me, questioned the point of or come over as lacking in personality. Theodora could have been a brat but wasn't, showing growth, and the bonding relationship between her and Allie had heart and was relatable. Often have reservations with the use of music in their films, it was used well to me and had a festive feel, not sounding overdone in placement or balance.

It looks good, especially the interiors of the royal home which are wonderfully opulent. Lovingly shot too. The script doesn't get too corny or schmaltzy, the odd cringeworthy line here and there but there is heart here and a nice amount of playfulness. The story lacks surprises, but is very charming, very sweet, entertainingly light-hearted and movingly heart-warming.

On the whole, nicely done. 7/10

Danica McKellar and Rupert Penry-Jones star as the maid turned governess and King that is fighting what his heart wants and what others are telling him his duties require.

Enter the King's daughter, Princess Theodora. Teddy, who does not think she needs a governess nor does she care for the Countess who is eventually supposed to marry her father.

The supporting cast is very, very charming as are the leads. A lovely movie - worth a watch.