One Winter Weekend

A pretty good one as Hallmark movies go, but if we had been playing the drinking game, we'd be pretty drunk!

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.

The story is complex and contrived. A lot of points don't make sense which is normal for these movies, but in this case they were too much for me. How does the CEO of a company only get half the chalet, but get a $500 gift basket also? Some of the bosses in these movies are slave drivers, but this one, while not mean, is ridiculous. Apparently she doesn't sleep and works 24 hours even on weekends. The premise that Ben's dating life affects his company's bottom line also sounds a little ridiculous. As a sub-plot, the idea that Megan's wrist injury means she can't use a phone at all is also silly. There are just too many silly and contrived plotlines.

Taylor Cole and Jack Turner do connect establishing a comfortable relationship, outside of the secrets. Still Jack Turner is a little reserved. Rukiya Bernard looks like someone to watch for as a possible lead in future Hallmark movies. She connects with Dewshane Williams to form a much more realistic relationship than Cara and Ben's. Both of these relationships are pleasant enough to watch in and of themselves until the silly plot messes up at least the one.

I agree with the previous review that this movie was just OK. I also agree that the winter cinematography was exceptional. I like the way cinematographers are utilizing drones lately, especially in winter scenes. Jack Turner looks a lot like Noah Wyle. He is new to acting and his acting is OK, but not memorable yet. With more experience it should improve.

One stand-out is very pretty and talented Rukiya Bernard. I hope Hallmark taps her for a movie of her own in the future. I also thought that Bea Santos was the prettiest actress in the movie. I see she had the lead in Christmas Encore which I enjoyed much more. At least Hallmark did not have the recent "rinky-dink" music they have been using.

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.