Un cachorro para Navidad

2023- I watched this again, and you know what I liked it. I did not find all the things that annoyed me the first time even noticeable. I think because since I first saw this movie with the dog, I have now seen so many other of this type of movie with the dogs. The dog is really cute. I enjoyed it the 2nd time.

First Review- This is not the worst Christmas movie. I found so many things super annoying about it. The actors all were pretty good with what they had. But the whole puppy thing almost sunk the movie it was so unrealistic. Bringing the dog everywhere? Who does that with a puppy? Who was the jewelry company they were supporting in this movie? A sponsor? Who wears fancy costume jewelry in their robe and pajamas? Or out in the snow, or a skirt for goodness sake while on a snowmobile? Why didn't she take off her ear muffs when inside on a major scene? The lead character was oddly ditzy in an annoying way. You never forget you are watching a cheesy holiday movie. I think they could have done much better with a better script. I watch a ton of holiday movies each year, and you can let this one play in the background while you do other things, so that is always good to me.

I'm a dog lover, and I love Heartland. This movie was made for me.

In the first few minutes of this movie, I was ready to bag it. The female lead seemed ridiculous and ill-tempered, and so rudely dismissive of an enthusiastic coworker that the character had just about turned us off.

Luckily, we stuck with it, because it got much better, and it didn't take much time.

And you have to admit, the naughty puppy was charming., and played a big part in the story.

The meat of the story involves the previously mentioned coworker inviting her to his family's farm way up north ... so far up north that they can see the Northern Lights.

One drawback was the use of two ENTIRELY overworked tropes at the end ... the bad boyfriend reappears by surprise and the predatory business deal foiled. They need to wait at least 20 years before they buy a script with either one of those again, and that was as true in 2016 as in 2023.

Cindy Busby is one of my favorite Hallmark actresses, so I gave this one a whirl. She plays a journalist who has been given an opportunity to write a feature on the secret of a happy marriage. At first, her character,Noelle, is very annoying and does some really stupid things. Like buy a dog while living in her boyfriend's apartment without consulting with him, taking the badly behaved dog to work without permission, and being incompetent writing her feature story. She is not likable at all. She is also snotty to her office mate, a handsome but kind of dorky fellow writer. And the dog is possessed by the devil. But, hey, Cindy Busby! I couldn't stay irritated for long, and she finally starts to redeem herself. She is dumped by her commitment phobic boyfriend of 5 years, and, now homeless, is invited to spend a country Christmas with her super-nice and dog-loving office colleague.

The male leads were superb, which further bumps it up. Christopher Russell plays the bad boyfriend, for a change, and does a great job. Greyston Holt was very very attractive and the complete opposite from his rival. He played a bit of an eccentric with long hair and a beard. For a change, he also had a fiance who shared his outdoorsy and adventuresome spirit, which added some interest to the final happy ending. I also liked his quirky sister, and Cindy's older friend.

Cliches, tired plot elements, and an unbelievable coincidence saved by the cast and some well fleshed out characters and a few unusual additions.

What a sweet movie! I watched it a few times this holiday season. Greyston and a puppy, who could resist!