In Merry Measure

This one rates in the middle of the pack so far with the 2022 lineup. My favorite thing about this movie was the chemistry between the sisters I would love to see them in another movie together. It felt like they really were sisters. Their banter and expressions were great. I also liked the friendship between the coach and the music teacher. The romantic chemistry felt a little forced but by the end I was rooting for them. I think the ending left something to be desired The whole movie built up to the big performance but I felt like it fell short. Maybe I have just watched Pitch Perfect too many times!

...all ruined by a single actor. (Proof below)

This movie had a lot going for it. Especially the young singers in the school choir. Some beautiful, natural voices -- all without any auto-tuning going on to make their voices sound better than they are.

But all of that was ruined by the irritating, manic performance of Patty Murin. One of the reviewers stated "Patty Murin was adorable in this." Hmm. I'm curious if we watched the same movie.

Ms. Murin mugs mercilessly in almost EVERY single scene she's in, save for maybe three or four where she actually reels it in. Makes one wonder how many dozen triple lattes she has before each scene. Her fake smile was SOO forced, like the late, great Doris Day's genuine smile on steroids. It destroys any chemistry she may have had with poor Brendan Penny, among others.

Don't believe me? Just watch THE LAST MINUTE OF THE FILM, where she and her character's mother and daughter are taking selfies. Murin doesn't just smile. She contorts her face, stretches that forced GRIN, and hams it up for attention.

And again, ruins the entire film in the process. Unfortunately...

In Merry Measure is a Hallmark triumph, and Megan Hilty is its dazzling crown jewel. Her performance as the spirited lead is nothing short of mesmerizing-she carries the film with effortless grace, infusing every scene with warmth, wit, and an irresistible charm that hooks you from the first note. Her voice? A revelation-rich, soaring, and utterly enchanting, it transforms each musical moment into pure magic, leaving you spellbound. Hilty's captivating presence elevates this delightful tale of love and harmony into a holiday classic, making it a joy-filled gem that sparkles brighter than the season's finest lights. A must-watch masterpiece!

This movie was not made for people like me, but I enjoyed it anyway. There is a LOT of singing, especially Christmas themed singing (and singing practice and singing prep). I love the holidays, but a little Christmas caroling goes a long way for me. But that says more about me than the movie. In fact, there's a line about "Sandy and Danny" that the teenager didn't get but the adults did. Except me. I had to Google those names. But again, that just says more about what I like as opposed to the quality of the movie, which was quite good.

Darcy is delightfully played by Broadway star Patti Murin who, though quite talented, doesn't sing my kind of music (I'm a Springsteen fan and just spent a small fortune on Taylor Swift tickets for my daughter and me). But there's some really good messaging in connection with Darcy encouraging a group of high schoolers to become better singers and, more importantly, to become more confident.

Brendan Penny plays against type as Adam, a music teacher with nerdy glasses and, at least initially, an unattractive personality and immature envy that he didn't even try to hide. Most fans of Hallmark movies and romance novels like the "enemies to lovers" trope, which is why we see it over and over again. But the best ones, for me, are when you can understand both sides. Here, there really was no justification for Adam's attitude. He inevitably acts better and, as Darcy puts it, she sees him as "dorky in a weirdly attractive way".

But if Adam needs to wear glasses, why does he show up one night without them?

Cassidy Reichman as Darcy's niece Megan was excellent as was Jennifer Robertson as Gretchen.

There were lots of fun lines by writer Russell Hainline:

Darcy: "Don't do anything I would do"

Adam: "So we both don't 'not like' each other. Does that mean we like each other?

Darcy: "Ooh! Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Gretchen: "So, if you live in New York, shouldn't you have made, like, a teeny tiny gingerbread apartment with little gingerbread cockroaches?"

Lawyer Mom's reaction to Megan's burgeoning social life is fun, as is the $5 bet

I don't think I've ever heard anyone (who isn't a lawyer) react to a date proposal with "I would be amenable to that." But it worked.

I love the scene with the two sisters as one gets ready for her date. Very sweet.

But I wasn't thrilled with the very Hallmarky Career versus Small Town Love choice that Darcy had to make or how that was resolved.

Patti Murin stars as Darcy, former pop sensation who is a bit down and out. Brendan Penny is Adam, her high school rival that now heads the music department of the high school. He has also led the choir to six consecutive wins of the state choir competition. And he's a bit of a hard ass. We know where this is going.

Darcy's niece Megan tried out for the choir but doesn't even get to finish her audition. When Darcy gets wind of this, she is rightly outraged for Megan and all the other kids not given respect and consideration during the audition process. She goes on to rally the other "outcast" kids and they form their own choir and challenge the resident champions to a sing off.

Also in the mix is Darcy's sister Gretchen, the always wonderful Jennifer Robertson (Schitt's Creek). She lost her husband earlier in the year and is facing her first Christmas without him while still trying to make it special for her daughter.

I honestly thought this movie would be cheesy and not worth my time. I stand corrected. It hooked me from the start. This movie is just filled with such talented people and the singing.....I just loved it. So heartwarming and such a great message of going for your dreams and being brave. An unexpectedly beautiful movie and I really hope you all check this one out.