'Tis the Season for Love

This movie stands out in the Hallmark Christmas buffet as one of the best. Of course you have the usual Hallmark fare with a dose of Christmas magic. However, this movie is more subtle, intelligent, and thoughtful than most. They addition of the former boyfriend and his wife as significant characters in the movie added a dimension and a little bit of comedy to the picture.

The heroine had to make a life choice to continue to follow a dream that did not seem to be working out, (but maybe could if she continues to work on it) or to follow a new path for another dream. That is frankly a much more realistic choice pattern than the usual you can have it all theme for most movies or the Disney movie premise you must follow your dreams and if you do your dream will come true. The question in this matter is what happens when the dream does not appear to work out? This movie could be funny at times and in the right places that gives it a less melodramatic tone than a lot of these movies tend to have, especially in hour 2.

I have enjoyed Tis the season as much or more the third or fourth time around than when I first saw it. Which when you have a two month movie marathon is a good trait to have for Hallmark.

Also of note my nine scored is based on the genre and style of movie. A perfect Hallmark Christmas movie would be a 10. If you do not like the genre you are not going to see this movie the same way as I. So to be clear this is not the second coming of Cassanblanca or Gone with the Wind (which I think is overrated). But its fun around Christmas.

This movie really is nothing new - it is realistic enough, but too dull, seen it all in these movies before. The worst part was when the lead told the children they 'did not miss a note' when they were off with the piano. I wouldn't intentionally watch it again, because I prefer more contrast / variety in these stories and there's nothing unique here to merit a re-watch. However, there are still a lot of good points regarding decision making and it might just give a bit of clarity when there's big decisions to be made. I also like that the lead was realistic about where she could afford to live - often homes in movies are too expensive for the characters' situations. I just wish they'd shown her two ideas of life in parallel and joined them together again at the end for a more original format for this genre - a bit like Sliding Doors but all-age friendly.

This is a great romance. The actors are perfect and the story is super sweet. I love hallmark movies and this is probably one of my favorites. I would watch this even if it wasn't Christmas. Sarah Lancaster and Brendan Penny have great chemistry that makes this Christmas movie even better.

Christmas Confessions/'Tis The Season For Love (2015) -

I adore Brendan Penny and he should be in everything and get naked a lot! He's so fricking charming and adorable in all that he does, but especially as Dean in this film. He could easily get ME to settle down with him, but I'm not sure that the relationship that bloomed in this one, with Sarah Lancaster as Beth would really last. She would always be looking to make up for what she'd lost and even Brendan, with his gorgeous eyes, wouldn't be enough for her. Throughout this one she was a bit sulky, although I'm probably just jealous that she got to snog him, as evidenced by the fact I was shouting B!tch at the TV every time she did.

I liked Gwynyth Walsh as the Mum, even though she was a bit overexcited most of the time and her hyper behaviour did seem a bit hard to buy, but she was just jolly and so far from the Klingon she played in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (1987-94).

I also liked not knowing if the Father Christmas Beth talked to was the real one or not. It's those little touches of magic that add to these films, without making them silly. And Garry Chalk did very well in the role.

Overall the fact that Brendan Penny was in it, should be enough of a reason to watch it, but he was also playing a fireman. Sadly he doesn't get naked for a calendar, although he did in the version in my head.

It was sweet and cheery and full of Christmas. I'm always happy to come back to this one.

7.25/10.

I liked this movie very very much! I liked the plot, the setting and the kids.... where charming and pretty natural. The film had a good story to tell regarding dreams in general, in my opinion. It's very important to chase our dreams as much as understanding ourselves, our depest whishes and the fact that those dreams can change as we grow older and wiser through experience. I found the cast was very good also. Everybody in this film was great and represented their roles with emotions. Sarah Lancaster was very good but Brednan Penny was amazing as always! I like the way he approaches the parts he gets with innerness and charm. It's one of the movies i wish had a sequel....