Snowed-Inn Christmas

While I think this movie has a terrible title and also I do not like the subplot about the owners of the inn and their connection to the real life Santa Claus, this move works much better than the standard Christmas fare. In large part, as has been noted this is due to the main actors who are both very good actors (and actually will someone give Andrew Walker a non lifetime / Hallmark movie? He has earned it). Bethany Joy Lenz and Walker play fellow reporters at an online magazine. As you do, they live in their own little work world hardly even knowing each other until they are pitted against each other at Christmas, tasked with writing a story or losing a job. Both are determined to win but get diverted from their original location to the small town of Santa Claus Indiana. While there they get to know each other they fall in love. Without giving too much away these stories typically do not have enough plot to establish a real feeling relationship but this did and the actors sold it pretty well. There is one sour note right at the very end but still the vast majority of the move is worth it.

With Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker taking the lead, how can it not be at least good? The popular duo play 2 journalist colleagues sent to Aspen to compete for top spot at their magazine. They both are "off" Christmas. Andrew, because he can't bear to go home to his lovely family since his Dad died. Bethany, because her boyfriend just dumped her after looking forward to spending it with him and his family. They get stranded in Santa Claus, Indiana, at a B & B run by Mr. And Mrs. Winter with both trying to find a Christmas story there that will save their jobs. Rivalry leads to mutual appreciation, liking, then love, even though they are so different from each other.

Andrew's character seems a little sneaky at first. But when he finds out Bethany was an unadopted orphan who made up her happy Christmas tradition stories, he takes her to his nearby home so she can have the family Christmas she has always dreamed of. It was sweet and touching and embodied the true spirit of Christmas.

Bethany realizes right away that there is something magical and mysterious going on with the B & B and the Winters. The fantasy is handled with wonder and without silliness thanks to Belinda Montgomery and John B. Lowe who play the couple and the excellent script. When she finds a photograph of the Winters dated 1842...Well. I will say no more, but she knows she has her story. If only she can find a certificate designating the Inn as a property of historical significance that will prevent it's demolition. Yes, there is that going on as well.

The only quibble I had was when bad boyfriend showed up, she took way too long to dump him. The actors all shine in this one, with a special shout out to Tasha Scott, a former Tyler Perry stand-out, who made the small part of their boss entertaining and special. The last short scene with "The Winters" is worth a an extra star all by itself.

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 ( C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to the review

"Christmas Theme" films seem to cast the same people regardless of who makes them. Andrew Walker is one actor they pops up frequently. I first saw and liked him in "A Bride For Christmas". Since then I have seen him in 3 or 4 other "Christmas Movies" . I can see why he is cast. He is nice looking and has "Chemistry" with every leading lady. This film is no different. However it is Above Average.

Now in this film Andrew plays Kevin Jenner. a Co-worker of his named Jenna Hudson volunteer for a special assignment at Christmas. After they become stranded by a snowstorm in Santa Claus, Ind., their original plans on stories change and the storm re-sets their lives.

This film is a very sweet. Again this is Andrew Walkers chance to shine again but he is so good in every scene and he makes you really care about every thing that is happening to him.

This is a winner

Yes these Christmas stories are a dime a dozen. Yes these churned out movies can be crushingly boring and laughable. Because of the two lead characters, however, Snowed-In Christmas transcends. Walker and Lenz have great chemistry and timing. He is especially charming and more believable as a romantic male lead than a lot of these made for TV movies. They hooked me right in to the predictable story line. The emphasis on simple nuclear family experiences and togetherness becoming treasured and meaningful traditions is heartwarming and rare. Yep, I loved the movie.

A carefully crafted script, brought to life by the perfectly convincing performances of Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker. Joy Lenz is the buttoned-up perfectionist and Andrew Walker is perfectly placed to unbutton her.