Though not one of Hallmark's best, Gingerbread Miracle is a pleasant story nonetheless that will undoubtedly get you into the Christmas mood this holiday season. It follows the story of Maya (played by Merritt Patterson), an attorney who, after suffering a career setback, is trying to re-establish herself with a firm in the city. In the meantime, she's been using the local Mexican bakery known for its magical gingerbread cookies, a place where she worked as a teenager, as her unofficial office. Luis, the owner of the bakery (played by Jorge Montesi), is ready to retire and enlists Maya's help to find a buyer. However, the owner's nephew Alex (played by Jon-Michael Ecker), who is also a lawyer and, by the way, Maya's high school crush, decides to return home for Christmas to help her (whether she likes it or not) with the sale. And so the Christmas romance begins, as the two rediscover their connection with each other while trying to sell the bakery they both have fond memories of, especially during Christmas. Although the storyline is predictable, the movie kept me engaged throughout. The dialogue was well written. However, the story was rather ordinary, lacking an angle or twist that would make it stand out. The movie was filled with your classic Hallmark film tropes (themes and devices) such as Christmas tree shopping, decorating the tree, the Christmas market, the awkward encounter, and, of course, the first kiss. The acting, overall, was strong. Patterson, a Hallmark regular, had a convincing performance. She had a warm and cheerful vibe, which came off well on screen. Ecker had a solid performance, though he was a bit stiff at times. As another reviewer observed, he had a bit of a Wes Brown vibe to his performance. The chemistry was low-key in this one, which some will appreciate and others, I suspect, will not. It was a bit too light for my taste. From magical cookies to a gingerbread obstacle course, Hallmark continues its obsession with gingerbread in its portrayal of Christmas traditions. It also had a touch of Mexican Christmas customs to boot. Finally, the scenery, props, and sets were well-polished and festive, with a decent soundtrack, classic Hallmark. All in all, it is an entertaining Christmas movie, not one of Hallmark's best, but enjoyable nonetheless. Fans will no doubt enjoy it.
