L'héritière de Noël

After being pleasantly surprised by the previous Christmas and Mysteries Hallmark film 'The Christmas Bracelet', despite a underwhelming first act, part of me was eager to see 'A Glenbrooke Christmas'. Despite the subject not being as appealing. 2020 was a mixed bag for Hallmark, though could have been a lot worse considering the circumstances, with some real surprises as well as some average or less ones. Not too dissimilar to previous years.

To me, 'A Glenbrooke Christmas' is towards being in the weaker end of Hallmark's Christmas films for 2020, while being nowhere near one of the worst films overall. As far as Hallmark goes, 'A Glenbrooke Christmas' is an average middling effort with good things but with not much that makes one go wow. If asked whether it's recommended, my answer would be a small y but only as a one time watch rather than one of those worthy of repeat viewings sort of films.

Beginning with the good, there is nothing to blame the production values for. The scenery is truly lovely, magical even at its best, and appropriately festive. Makes one want to go there and definitely at Christmas. The photography complements them beautifully.

There are moments of affectionate nostalgia in the soundtrack, with sprinklings of Christmas song favourites. Although it took me a while to warm to her character, who was a little too neurotic to begin with, Autumn Reeser gives a committed and charming performance. Matching her in the charm department is Antonio Cuopo, whose performance was a little more consistent and quite liked its subtlety. The supporting cast are fine, zesty Latonya Williams standing out.

However, a lot of things could have been done better. The chemistry between Reeser and Cuopo could have been a lot stronger, it was too underplayed and could have done with more warmth. The writing for the romance doesn't help, did find the romance rather underdeveloped and erratic in how quickly it moves, taking too long to begin with and then rushing too conveniently. The conflict is contrived and predictable, it takes a while for anything to progress and any development comes out of nowhere and is rushed through.

Did feel that the characters in general were underwritten and little more than typical Hallmark cliches, while Reeser and Cuopo do well it took time for their characters to connect with the viewer and relax (particularly Reeser's). Furthermore, the story is dull as dishwater from being way too thin and excessively predictable from being the same formula as with most Hallmark films with all the long well worn out cliches done to tired effect. Some of it is very repetitive too, the final act is contrived and lacking in realism and the ending is too neat and can be seen from miles away, Hallmark really do need to get some new ideas. The script is very stilted and is full of cheese and sugar to the point that it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The music generally is on the drab side.

Overall, alright but not much more. 5/10.

We'd watched the movie as it came out and thought it so-so, but I'm not sure we really paid that much attention the first time. With the yearly glut of Christmas movies these days, some of them tend to run together.

We'd just watched Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, which we think is an absolute hoot, and I noticed this film as the same lead actors for the romance, so we decided to give them a second shot.

It's not as good as 'Love at ...", but we did find it very watchable. Where "Love at ..." starts a bit slow and picks up speed and humor in the second half, we thought this one started out with lots of personality and lost steam in the second half, and the ending was just a bit too contrived.

It worth seeing, but this second time will likely be our last.

Starting Christmas in July early! Missed this movie last Christmas season so gave it a look today and it's a lovely movie! Love these two main leads and they have great chemistry. The setting reminds me of Christmas in evergreen, perfect little Christmas town where everyone knows your name and all your business it seems. Main character comes for vacation and is sucked into yet another fundraiser to save something in the town. Enjoyed watching the leads banter, nice side characters who are just on the cusp of being too nosey but don't quite cross over and stay likeable. It had a nice ending too. Will give it a watch every Christmas!

This was an adequately entertaining Hallmark, and as such I was a little disappointed because I really expect the best from Autumn Reeser. Also Antonio Cupo looked super hot and perfectly cast as the fire chief she falls for. I also like the poor little rich girl trope as well. However, Mr. Fire Chief got off to a bad start with me by yelling at nice Autumn for something that was totally his fault. He was chauvinistic and entitled as Mr. Small Town VIP. He got better, then reverted to type again near the end, where he accused Autumn of the same bad behavior he was guilty of. Latonya Williams was adorable as Ruthie, another firefighter, who tells Antonio a few home truths at the end. Over all it was good, although not problem-free, in addition to the character flaw I noted.

There is a romantic Christmas story in the town of Glenbrooke that says if you make a wish while the church bells are ringing on Christmas Eve, your wish will come true. It is said that Jessica's mom, who grew up in the town, made just such a wish to one day be married to Jessica's dad.

Jessica's parents passed away and she has been raised by her wealthy grandfather. She is on the cusp of taking over her grandfather's real estate dynasty and before all the craziness begins she decides to take one last Christmas vacation to where everything began for her parents...in Glenbrooke. She also decides to use a fake name do no one will know she is a wealthy heiress.

Her first encounter in Glenbrooke is when she almost runs over the town fire-chief (Kyle) and his boxes of cookies...aka the ginger-apocalypse. Not having ever lit a fire she ends up meeting the fire chief the second time in his official capacity when she forgets to open the flue and the cottage she is renting (which coincidentally is the one her mom grew up in) fills up with smoke.

Jessica ends up being surprised at how friendly and well informed the towns members are as to the goings on around town...like her arrival, smoke and ginger-apocalypse! Lots of Christmas events going on around Glenbrooke, but the one disappointment the Christmas bells are not functioning due to a burnt out motor.

Our fire-chief is more than meets the eye, he had an engineering degree from MIT, but grew up in Glenbrooke and wanted to come home.

Initially a little awkward at the start of the tree trimming, but this romance did grow and become more natural.

Can we send the ugly Christmas sweaters back to the purview of the fun uncles and spinster aunts?

"Well, I am pretty sure romantic and fire station have never been used in the same sentence."-Jessica.

Jessica ends up getting roped in to helping at the art center and organizing a fundraiser to get the bells up and ringing by Christmas.

Will Kyle be ok with her being a millionaire? You will have to watch and see in this sweet Hallmark holiday romance.

Not my favorite of Hallmark's Christmas films...but still a good one and worth a watch.