Christmas in Evergreen

Ever seen a dancing class recital? The group is dancing away but there is always the kid who is simply doing steps. Sometimes you can see her mentally counting the step-ball-changes before the turn. It looks like dancing but it's missing what makes dancing, dancing.

For me, watching this movie, Ashley Williams is that kid and it ruins the movie for me. Overacting to the hilt, that jack-o-lantern smile, everything too big, too much, overdone. Natural is not in her acting tool box, she acts like a pre-teen in her school play. It's distracting and pulls me right out of the movie. It's a problem b/c she plays the lead and is on camera a LOT, so if watching an actor substitute big-eyed ear-to-ear smiles (sometimes at inappropriate moments) for actually getting into a role annoys you, you might want to plug in It's a Wonderful Life and enjoy the great acting that turns a Christmas movie into a Christmas classic.

The other actors are ok in their roles, and the plot is typical Christmas romance with the usual angels in the snow, tree decorating, bearded old guy dispensing holiday wisdom, etc. etc. The movie is predictable, of course, but that's what Hallmark movies do: guarantee the happy ending.

I love Christmas movies, and for me this one is fair to middling. If you enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies, you'll like this one as it follows their holiday pattern. Teddy Sears (Ryan) and Holly Robinson Peete (Michelle) were bright spots in this movie

I find Ashley Williams so annoying! Her constant smile and over-the-top acting is just too much for me.

I've seen her in other Hallmark movies. Not a fan. Her acting is always the same. Perky, happy, and not believable. Annoyingly so.

The plot was not believable. Driving an antique truck to D.C.?

Ashley Williams is a small-town girl, born and raised in the town of Evergreen, a town whose magical snow globe grants Christmas wishes. She's a veterinarian and loves her work, but she decides to take a leap and move to Washington D.C. Teddy Spears is a single dad just passing through, but the magical snow globe just might have other plans, and both Teddy and Ashley might end up staying in Evergreen longer than they thought.

Christmas in Evergreen is a pretty cute Hallmark movie, and not for the usual reasons. Yes, it's a bit corny and yes, the heartwarming elements make up for the corniness. But it's Ashley Williams who makes this movie truly delightful. I've never seen her in anything before, but in this film, she seems so completely at home in her character and her surroundings. You really feel that she's lived in that town her whole life, and the sass and spunk she puts into her lines shows she's comfortable with her friends and neighbors. Barbara Niven plays Ashley's mom, and not only is there a strong family resemblance, but they have a wonderfully realistic chemistry together. They really feel like mother and daughter, and it's pretty cute to watch.

The side plots of the story aren't the best or most imaginative, and you might choose those moments to pop some more corn, but Ashley will capture your attention and heart. Catch this movie the next time Hallmark airs it and get ready to root for the good girl.

This one had every freaking Christmas cliche in the book. Country good/city bad, specious current boyfriend/fiance versus christmas-phobic single Dad, Save the festival, magical Santa, frolicking in the snow, Christmas Cookies, and Christmas-centric small town. And... the boyfriend who appeared like a jump-scare in a horror film. I still liked it. I am one of the majority that really likes Ashley Williams. The screen loves her and she is never less than a sweetie-pie. This entry also featured two other shining stars: Jaida Lily Miller and Rukiya Bernard. Young Jaida is a Hallmark regular for good reason. She is a great little actress and a charming presence. I wish Rukiya were more of a regular than she is. I have seen her as a supporting player in 3 other Christmas Hallmarks and she quite simply lights up the screen. She needs to move over to Lifetime, Hallmark mysteries, or Ion and start starring in her own movies. Move over Tatiana Ali. All this goodness was marred by the irritating mother who was a little too dependent on her beloved daughter. She needed a little therapy, as does many of these Hallmark mothers. As was the town, which couldn't seem to function without the capable heroine.

Turn down the fake snow machine a little. Ashley Williams has an amazing smile...that's about it. She never wears anything sexier than an old sweater. There is no feel of chemistry in this movie. That being said it is a nice movie. Everyone seemed to try real hard and it is worth a viewing, but it's missing a lot of things. It sort of feels like a religious cult's first attempt at a Christmas movie. Can one have too much Lynda Boyd? No.