3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost

You usually can never go wrong when a Hallmark movie stars a real-life couple and this one is no exception. I'm a big fan of both Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally and, as usual, their chemistry is palpable and enjoyable in this movie. The storyline centers around a historical mansion. The main characters were once engaged and a wickedly fun and friendly ghost tries to help them find their way back to each other. Madeleine Arthur is perfectly cast as said ghost and equally drives the storyline with wonderful expression and comedic skill. Kudos to Hallmark for casting her.

The only reason I rated this 9 stars is because the supporting characters could've been better utilized and the writing could've used a bit more detail and polish. Otherwise, I would recommend this movie because the feel of it is different than what you usually see on the Hallmark channel and in a good way.

Ruby has just turned 25. Charlie loves her, but she shuns his love, saying they are just too different, and her Father does not approve of him.

We jump ahead 100 years, and the house Ruby lived in is up for sale. Anna is a real estate agent working for her Dad. Having just received her license, her Dad hands her a house that's been listed several times - apparently being jinxed.

As a matter of fact, the house is not jinxed, but it has a live-in ghost. Oh no, this is not a haunted house story, this is a delightful romantic comedy with a ghost not able to leave the house. The ghost in question is Ruby, who tragically died in a car accident on her 25th birthday. She is wonderfully portrayed by Madeleine Arthur. I absolutely loved this bubbly and energetic character!

Anna has just broken off her engagement with Elliot, but they are still good friends. Anna is determined to sell the house, but Ruby refuses. Noticing the similarities between her and Charlie's relationship and Anna and Elliot's, she is determined to bring them together - and the house is her chance to make it happen.

'3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost' is every bit as predictable as most romantic comedies are, but this was nevertheless fun. I enjoyed the chemistry between Anna and Elliot - maybe because Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNully are indeed a real-life couple. The film also has underlying messages, telling us not to have regrets. I enjoyed the contrast between the time periods. We actually have so much to learn from yesteryear....

This is a ghost story that won't give you nightmares, and is a delightful movie the entire family can enjoy!

Starting with its clever and appealing title, "3 BED, 2 BATH, 1 GHOST" is my vote for The Hallmark Channel's best new Saturday night feature of the year...and, trust me, I've seen (or, perhaps more apropos, endured) them all.

This is not Hallmark's first go at a story involving a ghost or an old estate, by any means, but, compared to the channel's usual offerings, this one feels rather fresh. Anyone familiar with The Hallmark Channel should be pleased with the return of the highly affable Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally, who are apparently one of Hallmark's real-life power couples. As always, their performances here do not disappoint, mostly because they're consistently just so darn likable.

What's different this time is that this story features a third lead, and she's a true scene-stealer. Madeleine Arthur (2014's "Big Eyes" and Netflix's 2022 limited series, "Devil in Ohio," just to name a couple) as Roaring '20s youngly deceased socialite, Ruby, is a gem. Like her character, Arthur shines like gold here, and anyone would be blessed to be haunted by the likes of her. Speaking of shining like a gem, Arthur (Ruby) has the most gorgeous blue eyes that, in exterior daylight shots and interior shots where the light hits them just right, shimmer like sun-soaked shallow Caribbean tides. If Arthur were a devil in the aforementioned Netflix series, she's an angel this time around. That's versatility for ya!

This feature, I'm quite happy to state, left me genuinely satisfied, rather than disappointed. "3 Bed..." = 3 lead artists that, under competent direction and a well-written romantic story, gift Hallmark with a long-awaited crowning achievement (pun intended).

I was anxious to see this because it stars Julie Gonzalo (who was in "Falling For Vermont", one of my favorite Hallmark movies) and her real life love buddy Chris McNally. They have obvious chemistry and elevate the quality of whatever Hallmark movie they're in.

But the best and most engaging performance of the movie was by Madeline Arthur who played Ruby the ghost. She has beautiful blue expressive eyes and really brought to life a well written character. She's bubbly and animated but also convincingly sad and upset when that's called for. And she really delivers the old 20s lingo like "Jeepers" and "Toots." She looked and sounded a little like Betty Boop. I loved her.

The movie opens with Ruby and several party-goers dancing to the Charleston. It was a great intro and captured the feel of the 20s. And I liked the cut from Ruby's lost love Charlie dropping the flowers he bought for her to the flower tree that grew in that spot (100 years later).

One of Arthur's scene stealing moments is the scene in which Anna gives Ruby some sage to "rid the space of lingering spirits." Ruby's fake and exaggerated depiction of it working reminded me of the famous Meg Ryan scene in "When Harry Met Sally" after which another diner said "I'll have what she's having,"

There's also a fun scene where Anna shows Ruby her modern cell phone and demonstrates how to send text messages. Ruby is amazed and asks "What do you do with all the time you save?" The half groan response by Gonzalo was subtle but effective.

There's also a fun and pointed discussion about what women can do today that ends with a real zinger.

I also liked how the writers avoided following any strict "Ghost Rules" with a wink to the audience:

Anna: "How can you move objects but not people?" Ruby: "I don't know sweetheart. Cruel irony."

The civil way that Anna and Elliot act towards each other, however, after dissolving their business and breaking off their engagement a few months earlier struck me as very ... Hallmarky. Couples who break up are usually not that pleasant to each other, nor do they bump into each other that often. As Anna tells Elliot (in a cute scene):

"We should start avoiding each other like good exes"

But the civility works for this movie because it makes the prospects for a reconciliation more likely.

Anna's father is the no nonsense head of a real estate brokerage and has brought Anna on board following the end of her business with Elliot. Although the villainous realtor Terrence is a bit of a caricature, the father was perfect and the last scene with him and Anna was lovely.

Normally the fun banter is between the couple, but here it's between Anna and Ruby:

Ruby: "You don't want to fight me. I'm as unsinkable as the stock market" Anna; "You're not making the case you think you are."

Anna and Elliot apparently had a restoration business together which Anna abandoned. It's a theme in the movie that is best captured by this line:

"We don't quit. We restore. So let's just restore us"

This was Hallmark at its best.

Well now, another refreshing surprise from Hallmark. This is about the fourth or fifth recent Hallmark production which has deserved a great rating. Clearly Hallmark must have some new management as their recent batch of movies are far more creative and lively.

In this movie, while most aspects of it were well done, the real star is the ghost, Madeline Arthur. Ms. Arthur really made this movie and added zest and a lot of character. I hope to see her again in upcoming movies.

Probably some folks will have issues with the ghost elements and what the ghost can and cannot do. Okay, maybe this doesn't follow official ghost rules (not that any of us really know) but it really did not detract from the movie.

Love the set/mansion the movie was based in and, again, the acting and production were top notch.