Christmas in the Smokies

They writers don't know how to write a leading female character. Also she's a business owner and doesn't know anything about her finances or even how much she owes on her 2 mortgages?? What? She's poorly written and really unlikable

Her farm is in danger because she doesn't make money and is in a ton of debt and the old man who is the villain of the story wants to buy it to develop it in a way that benefits the town. They have a town meeting and she's the only one who doesn't want that and talks about how much she cares about the land and the town people but we never see that ever, and the villain doesn't want to develop the natural beauty of the mountains.

She can't save her farm from foreclosure and has to grovel to her famous musician ex-boyfriend ( who she's only been shown hating) to help her raise the money. The main guy is fine I guess, he has no real personality to speak of and I don't get why he likes someone who charges him $5,000 to sleep in her barn. She only softens after he saves her farm for her and they dance together on Christmas and that's how it ends. Her parents are the only real characters and they don't make up for the boring leads.

Great to watch and make fun of.

Give them credit to have a Christmas movie somewhere other than New York City. Loved the home in the Smokies. Sarah Lancaster and Barry Corbin fit right in as Tennessee folks- very convincing and very well done. Barry Corbin was perfect as the boisterous dad- loved the tender mom as well. Alan Powell was great as the country music star. His dance was the most memorable part of the movie.

The film lacked any real drama or surprise and lagged in many spots. I watched it on DVD and dozed about half way. A very forceful Brett Rice was present in the film in a small part as a villain of sorts. It was on the verge of being a good film but only made it as an OK film with lots of good talent.

7.0 stars.

Mason broke Shelby's heart many years ago and became a big country star. Sound familiar? Yep, it's the theme of many a drama. Now Mason's back in town for a while and Shelby is still bitter and angry for the fact that he was her one true love and always will be (even if she can't come to terms). Shelby and her parents run a berry farm that will be in foreclosure very soon. They can't keep up with the mortgage and they need help. Unfortunately for Shelby, Mason is the last resort they must turn to in order to save the farm.

This story is standard formula Hallmark, but it was released in 2015, which means maybe it's one of the forerunners of this particular storyline. It doesn't stand out for me, it's just a simple and easy going film about a woman who is beside herself over a guy who broke her heart. Now that he's back in town, she must experience the pain all over again, because she truly hasn't gotten over him after all these years.

There are some tender moments and the film is of a higher quality, but the story itself just isn't as entertaining as I would've preferred. The romance is not fully elevated or rewarding. Take it or leave it.

I can't be the only one waiting for a kiss happen. I guess this was one of an inspirational type of film rather than a romance. I was just waiting for more to happen.

"Christmas in the Smokies" has a different enough twist on the usual romantic holiday season films. The plot idea was a good one, and it has the scenery to make a very good film. But there are too many shortcomings with this one. The most obvious is the weak screenplay. It really needed to flesh out the background much more and better, especially of Mason Wyatt's lifestyle and change when he achieved the spotlight as a country Western singing star.

Here's a story about a late teenage couple who had a sudden split, and now they come back together about 15 years later. The portrayal in the film of Mason is all a good guy, a little sorry for his past, and with a sense of humor, but having grown up. In contrast, Shelby Haygood still carries her hurt all these years later. And all the film shows of this is a very brief shot of a young girl looking forlorn as the movie opens. There was real drama and hurt in that relationship, which the script just passes over except for Shelby's dour portrayal.

And to the very end, there is really no sign of chemistry between these two characters. So, the acting doesn't really fit the circumstances of a real life situation.

The best thing about this film is the portrayal of Shelby's parents. Rebecca Koon play's Annie Haygood and Barry Corbin plays Wade Haygood. Corbin's character adds some nice humor to the story, and a bit of senior wisdom in places. He plays the role very at ease and comfortably. But, even with the good scenery on top of that, the loose, hole-filed script and poor screenplay relegate this to just another so-so holiday film. Without Corbin and the scenery, it would be quite boring and probably not hold the attention of many viewers.

Here are the best lines in this film, both by Corbin's "pop."

Wade Haygood, to Mason Wyatt on his return, "Those first years - burnin' all those photographs sure did keep the house warm."

Wade Haygood, to Shelby, "You know, it ain't baggage if you don't carry it around."