Midnight Masquerade

'Midnight Masquerade' (2014)

Opening thoughts: The best-known name here, and my main reason for seeing 'Midnight Masquerade', is Autumn Reeser. Much of her output is well worth watching and her performances are consistent in a good way, she is a Hallmark regular for good reason. The other main reason for seeing the film was that it was a take on the 'Cinderella' story, that is one of my all time favourite stories and there are some good to great adaptations and revamps of it. Christopher Russell however is rather take and leave and the 2014 Hallmark output was wildly variable.

'Midnight Masquerade' is one of the better films of theirs from that year. It is a great representation of Reeser, who went on to even better things, and for a relatively early Hallmark film and performance for Russell this was a good deal better than most. While not one of the best or most inspired modern takes on such a timeless story that will never get old regardless of how many times it's narrated or adapted, 'Midnight Masquerade' is a more than worthwhile and very charming take.

Bad things: It isn't perfect. Personally actually did think that the final act is too rushed with the conflict forced and the prematurely easily foreseeable ending too neat. It is true that the film is very predictable, with many typical elements not done much new with.

Perhaps Russell's character could have been stronger in standing up to the conflict and sooner.

Good things: However, there is a lot that is done really well. Reeser is incredibly charming and brings a lot of heart and steel. Russell doesn't come over as stiff or too introverted and is equally easy going and charming. Their chemistry is very natural, sweet and genuine. The supporting characters are ones that are very easy to overplay, and luckily they didn't come over as too caricaturish or hammy. The interaction always felt at ease and not forced. The father and daughter relationship is particularly interesting.

Furthermore, 'Midnight Masquerade' looks good, especially the scenery. The scenery really does entrance and the photography doesn't cheapen it at all. The music at least fits tonally and in placement and has presence without being over-loud. The dialogue is sharp enough and flows naturally, while also having the right amount of sentiment (not too much in quality and quantity). The story is predictable, but also light hearted and charming with a good deal of heart. The Halloween party sees some beautiful design and atmosphere.

Closing thoughts: Concluding, nice film if not a classic.

7/10.

I love this one. I gave it a "10" years ago and have seen it multiple times since. Autumn Reiser is lovely and charming and because of this movie I have always given her the benefit of the doubt in subsequent roles. Christopher Russell is adorable and sexy in the "cinderfella" role. His appeal usually rests with his chemistry with his costars and it couldn't have been better in this, one of his first Hallmark roles. He usually is a bit passive in his starring roles, but it really works in this one.

As the Cinderella story line requires, Rob is bullied and taken advantage of throughout most of the movie. This is quite painful to watch and almost took a little shine off of the romance. When he finally grew a backbone and stood up for himself and did the right thing, it was a huge relief. As his Niece/Fairy godmother says, he is just too nice.

The parallels with the Cinderella story with the role reversal were cleverly done. Autumn Reeser can't stand her high-heels, so she carries them around with her. As the prince figure she is the daughter of a corporate magnate who is training her to take over the business. She is strong and smart and down to earth. The wicked stepmother and step sisters are the head partner and his two sons of her corporate attorneys. Oooooh, they are horrible and evil! Rob is a lawyer that slaves for them while they take all the credit for his hard work. Again, that part was maddening.

Anyway, the writing, the plot, and the cast all come together in this Hallmark in which everything works. Not a weak link in it!

I liked this movie, yet not enough to give it a 4 or a 5 star. I liked the relationship between the father and daughter best. Their easy going relationship and their love and respect for each other. The father decided to retire and leave his very successful candy business to his daughter. In a way this movie was like a Cinderella story, yet it wasn't the female who had the wicked sisters. It was the male lead who worked as a lawyer for a law firm. He was a nice-Cinderella type who did all the work for the boss's two sons (also lawyers in their Daddy's firm) and never got the credit for what he did. The male lead also was there for his single Mom sister and her daughter. He was a bowling buddy with his niece and the female lead also liked to bowl (with her Dad). At the beginning of the movie these lead characters first meet at the bowling alley and later at the law firm. The "sparks" fly when he shows up to the masquerade ball as a prince (thanks to the seamstress skills of his sister) and she is the princess and they do make a beautiful couple. He loses his crown when he leaves the ball before midnight and she finds it. Thus begins the search for her Prince Charming.... James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 2/18/2021

In this reversal of the traditional Cinderella story, Rob Carelli (Christopher Russell) is a Pittsburgh attorney who gets all the work and none of the credit in his firm, run by a father and his two arrogant, bully sons. Rob falls for the head of a client firm, Elyse Samford (Autumn Reeser), but is too reserved to do anything about it.

Russell has that Christopher Reeves-as-Clark-Kent vibe going: ruggedly handsome, but socially awkward, and hiding his true feelings. When he wears a mask, you have to accept that no one could possibly identify him.

This Hallmark romance is one of the better ones. The chemistry between the two leads is strong, and both are very likable. Over and over again, Rob proves himself to be a caring, principled man. The meaty role of his niece Ruby is played by Helen Colliander. And Neil Crone plays the part of Sam, the over-qualified and somewhat cynical office security man Rob befriends.

This Hallmark film has a sort of Halloween meets Cinderella theme, and that works really well.

It helps when you have a leading lady as good as Autumn Reeser involved, and while who the 'Queen' of Hallmark is remains up for debate, Reeser would be a good shout.

The story holds up, there's some lovely moments - when Hallmark get it right with these films they really get it spot on.

I really liked the Sam character too, and liked the little subplot with him, as it gave the film something a bit extra.

This is charming, this is warm, and that's really what I'm looking for from this sort of film.