Crown for Christmas

Christmas movies can be really stupid and schmaltzy and most of them I can't stand.

I ended up looking for something to watch this afternoon and came across this movie and decided to give it a try.

This was very well done. Yes, you have some typical things going on that many feel good happy-ending type movies have in common, but this is one of the ones to not miss.

Great cast all-around with great casting nods especially to the actor who played the king and the actor who portrayed his executive assistant.

Even though you see many similar things in the story line that can be found in other similar films, this one was a bit more complex and well rounded and just overall, well done.

I enjoyed this very much and will probably watch again. Loved it!!!

Please make a sequel to this movie. Great movie. Danica and Rupert were great.

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.

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

Some of the other reviews are talking about how similar it is to other movies but let me tell you. I cried my eyes out, so beware! It was an amazing movie! Definitely my new favorite so to say at the least I highly recommend this movie! It is a great movie to watch with family or even just your significant other. This is the first Christmas hallmark that I've watched that I have actually fell in love with and cried so much with. I believe the creators chose the perfect people for all the roles as well. I do hope there is a second movie to this that can explore not only the main characters lives but as for the help as well. I would love to explain that, but I don't want to spoil this movie for anyone (: