À la recherche de l'esprit de Noël

There has never been any bias for or against Hallmark Christmas films. Actually think there are a mix of good, bad (and worse in some cases) and somewhere between mediocre and decent, so it's a variable output really. One just needs to know what to expect and not to expect too much. Will admit to not being crazy about the premise, it didn't sound very interesting and had potential to be cheesy and mean spirited. And how good a premise is is one of the most common main reasons for watching anything.

While not perfectly executed or great, 'Every Christmas Has a Story' was pretty decent and much more appealing story wise than how it sounded on paper, with it not being as cheesy, forced or mean spirited as feared. 2016 was an uneven year for Hallmark, but not too bad when it came to their Countdown to Christmas output. A few disappointed, 'A December Bride' being a big example, but most were above average and a few above good. 'Every Christmas Has a Story' is somewhere in the middle.

'Every Christmas Has a Story' isn't perfect. The story takes a bit of time to get going and is very formulaic, not many surprises or innovations here and that is including the secret (which didn't live up to the deep and dark promise). Some of the dialogue in the earlier stages is on the contrived and silly side, some of the more banter-ish parts a little too hostile.

Furthermore the ending is too pat and also very abrupt. The mayor is too caricaturish in an over the top way.

However, a lot is good. Visually, 'Every Christmas Has a Story' is good looking. It's beautifully photographed and the scenery is quite captivating, even if it is not the real authentic location. The music isn't as too loud or as too constant as it can be with Hallmark. The dialogue flows better and more naturally than the dialogue in most Hallmark films and doesn't fall as much into cheese and soap, it sometimes does but only in spurts. The story generally is very light-hearted and really warms the heart, despite its predictability and a couple of other things, and the characters on the whole didn't bore or irritate me.

Lori Loughlin and Colin Ferguson are very charming and easy going leads with no signs of being over taxed. They have a natural and easy to buy chemistry and their relationship isn't aimless or rushed too much. The supporting cast are more than able, being into their roles while having enough subtlety. Excepting the mayor. Did like how they featured quite heavily in the goings on.

Overall, not something to be enthused over but decent and better than it sounds. 6/10.

Just saw this movie and we live in North Dakota. There would be no way people would be walking around with unzipped coats or lighter clothing. The license plates were correct and the GPS map she was using was also correct, just way colder than the movie portrayed. Also, not all that many trees in North Dakota. I liked the story, but mostly just liked that fact that it took place in North Dakota. Wish it would have been filmed here.

Without Colin Ferguson, I probably wouldn't have sat through this movie more than once. The story itself really isn't my cup of tea. A news anchor (Lori Loughlin) has an embarrassing mistake on live television, exposing her as someone who doesn't like Christmas. To save face, the network orders her to do a several-day small-town exposé in a place guaranteed to instill her in the Christmas spirit. I know lots of Hallmarks feature a plot or subplot of a character who doesn't like Christmas then learns to love it; but this one felt really forced and almost offensive. Her television blooper could have easily been explained away, and after the holiday season had ended, people would forget all about it. What if she was Jewish or Buddhist and held no special feeling for the Christian holiday - would the network still force her to change her views?

Once she gets to town, the movie gets a little better, since she and her cameraman (Colin) try and fail to ignore their rekindled feelings. They were an item in the past, so do you think the small-town charm and Christmas magic might help them get back together and solve all their emotional problems?

You'll have to watch this Hallmark Christmas special to find out. It might not end up being your favorite, but you'll probably enjoy it. I've happily watched it three times, glad for the gorgeous eye candy.

Why would anyone ever let Colin Ferguson go? The guy has been handsome since before 1990, with barely a change at all and not just his face and body, but the personality that shines from him. I would bet a lot of money that he's a really nice guy. So, I'm not sure that the lead female deserves him.

It's actually not a bad romantic story at all and I like the other "story" that the journalists are chasing.

The mayor is over the top, but aren't they always. It's as if they find the weirdest extra in the bunch, give them a suit, a wig and a script and let them loose.

Although it's essentially about the leads disdain for Christmas, it doesn't really have many festivities going on, but there's enough to make it cheery and enjoyable.

I'm fairly shallow, so it probably scores higher because of Colin, but I don't care.

6ish/10?

This was an alright movie. I picked it to add to my Christmas movie challenge.

I like it when they go to little towns and it is all christmassy.

This now helps to take my christmas movies to 35 out of 100.

Will I watch this again? Yeah maybe.