Our Christmas Mural

6.0 stars.

Surprised to see only one review, so I'm perplexed. Usually you'll see about a dozen reviews for any given Hallmark movie within a couple weeks of the original release. When I see only one review before my own, now weeks later, I become skeptical. First thought, what is wrong with this film, or what time of day did it air and did nobody watch it? Or maybe nobody cares to comment because it's one of the most boring and ordinary experiences, so average, perfectly average...it has to be perfectly average, because when a movie is bad it generates a plethora of negative responses. I guess I'll settle on 'Our Christmas Mural' is so average, so perfectly average that nobody felt the urge to say a single word about it. But what about those Hallmark aficionados that are "obligated", the multitude of completist Hallmark fans? Where are you people?

I frequently talk about common premises and themes. Well, Olivia isn't fired or laid off. She's just notified that it could happen in the coming year. (And by Ben Ayers no less.) She takes her son back to her hometown to get rid of her artistic block. She doesn't meet an old flame. There is a meet-cute of sorts which leaves her yelling "paint thief" in the store. There's a contest to paint a mural. She doesn't enter. But her mother enters her and who does she beat out to get it? The paint thief. So what do they do? They work on a project together, the mural, leading up to a Christmas Eve unveiling. Not a pageant or a festival. Just an unveiling. So the writers tried to mix the usual checklist up a bit and succeed at least somewhat.

Alex Paxton-Beesley reminds me so much of Rachel Nichols. She and Dan Jeannotte have decent chemistry. Jeanotte is usually a bit sassy in these movies and his Will is that. Will also turns out to be a prince of a guy who gives of himself and his artistic ability to the community. It is common in these movies for the opposite romantic lead to establish a close relationship with the child of the other lead. Another check.

This movie has no great highs or lows or surprises. The only tension is Olivia's future and the mural, neither of which will keep you up at night. It does seem to keep her up though. As is often the case when there is no great tension, the conflict is a little contrived.

Once you get past the obligatory animosity between Olivia and Will, the movie is mostly upbeat. If, like me, you've seen almost every Christmas movie made in the last 5 years on 5 channels, it's kind of slow, but I still found it OK, probably thanks to the cast.

Family friendly and really enjoyed the focus on Art Therapy and how art can help people heal. Enjoyed the deeper subject matter of grief. This movie had more mature and in depth approach than most rom-com Hallmark Christmas movies. Of course the plot and structure of the script was predictable like most Hallmark Christmas movies. The movie did a better job than most in actually portraying the pain of grief in a child and the use of Art Therapy as a therapeutic modality. In addition, it also included grief of losing a spouse, but the guilt of starting a new relationship. Our family liked it a lot. Loved the color used in the art and it's amazing part it can play in our lives.

Will and single mom/widow Olivia do not get off on the right foot when they meet.

"That man is hoarding paint!"-Olivia

"Maybe he really did need all of that paint some kind of art emergency."-mom

Olivia is a big city artist who has lost her inspiration since her husband's passing. When she finds out that she may be loosing her job at the museum in New York, she goes home for the holidays with her son. There she discovers that there is an art competition to paint a mural in town. With a lot of pushing from her mom, who enters her without her knowledge and then some help from her dad...and the "paint hoarder", who turns out to be not only the runner up, but an art therapist who is able to help her son Parker, she wins the contest and paints the town mural.

The paint hoarder turns out to be not only a nice guy, but funny, sensitive and an amazing help to both her and her son.

Kind of a sad topic for a holiday film....but the romance was wonderful and Dan Jeannotte, who plays Will, is wonderful and really makes this film. There is some fun banter between the two as they fairly quickly go from gate to love.

This feels on is pretty neat and tidy, even though it has a depressing start. Dan Jeannotte Really does make this film, so if you are a fan you should watch it.