A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas

A Hallmark movie is a hallmark movie. They are just pretty much all the same. Couple meets, an almost kiss, a misunderstanding and then the final kiss, roll credits. And quite frankly that's what I love about them. This one didn't follow the formula which could be good but unfortunately, in this case, it didn't work as well. Love love Benjamin and Rachel but for some reason they just did not click in this movie. There was no spark. I really think that Hallmark is cranking these out too fast and too many. They are forsaking quality for quantity.

The inn and Christmas decorations were beautiful and if you're interested in planning a Christmas wedding, there are lots of ideas! I like the romance elements in these movies and it was here that the movie was found lacking. It has the requisite happy ending (not a spoiler bc we all know it will happen!) but not much in the way of a lead up to it!! Just not one of my favorites.

The actors are Canadian, I understand. But they could at least get the local flavor. We're not all hillbillies, but the male lead is far too "urban" for the setting. The blue ridge mountains have an Appalachian Accent in the residents .Also, even the mountains of Virginia do not see much snow until well after Christmas. I wish they would try to get the regional flavor. Even the "inn " looks out of place. The acting was okay , though

Although the scenery was beautiful with all the Christmas decor, I found Willow played by Rachel Leigh Cook, extremely aggravating! After reassuring the owner of the inn that he would not have to do a thing to help prepare for her sister's wedding because she would handle everything, Willow was constantly interfering in his job, where he was going for partnership of his law firm, and texting him or in his face almost nonstop! Honestly, I found myself telling her to shut up and leave the poor guy alone!

Yes, it is one of the same old tired storylines that Hallmark likes to do but it did have some different twists though, which I appreciated. It made it appealing and I actually like this movie's version of the storyline better than most. I really liked what felt like real conversations that people would have and family moments. The mother and daughters giggling and hugging each other. The sisters on the bed dipping cookies in milk and having real sister moments. The father daughter conversations. All of the acting was done well including the little girl. For a child actor she was really quite good. They all clicked well and were believable in their roles. I said I wanted to hang out with the mom, after she introduced her daughter in the diner. She just seems like a cool, fun mom!

The main characters were a little slow at " falling in love" but they were busy with the inn and working on the wedding. I didn't mind because the story was interesting enough and I knew they would get there. This might be the first Hallmark movie were there was no silly "misunderstanding" at the end that almost splits them up but they find their way back to each other, after clearing the air. Thank you! Finally! Those misunderstandings in all those other movies are just silly and unnecessary.

There were a few misses in there. The usual overload of Christmas decor and what was up with so many people milling around the front porch and driveway? It looked like a five or six bedroom house. If the father and daughter each had bedrooms, then that left three or four guest rooms. There should not have been that many people going in and out with luggage.

Like I said earlier, I enjoyed this version of a storyline that's been done many times but it was different enough to make it very enjoyable. I did not realize Rachel Leigh Cook was in it until it started and I got very excited to see her! I would definitely watch this again.