Milliardaire ou presque

Eh...could tell from the beginning we were not going to be excited about this movie, but we hung in there. Everything flowed right off the pages of the script. I was multi-tasking as the movie went progressed. I didn't really feel any chemistry. The two leads were OK, but there was no pop.

Watch it, enjoy the scenery and make up your own minds.

Particularly during this world-wide pandemic, The Hallmark films have been a perfect oasis for my wife and me. The lead actors are charming, consummate actors. They took the words written by a fine writer and made the story believable and seamless. The director also honored the writers' story. It was refreshing to see this film slightly deviate from the usual Hallmark format. I would gladly recommend this film to everyone. The viewer will spend a fast 2 hour in a beautiful setting with an excellent cast.

*This section may not end up with my sincere review above. Hallmark, I think you should read and discuss my observations. I have had a long career in the music production business. The music in this film is well written and performed by professional musicians. However, in the last 15 minutes...the two lead actors are having a very honest and loving conversation...but by most accounts the viewer will not hear the writers script or be able to respond emotionally to the two actors portraying impassioned feelings in their facial cues and vocal delivery. Why? Because for some reason, either the director, music composer or the music mix engineer at the final dubbing session decided to diminish the writers words and the actors performance by pushing the level of a singing vocalist way above the level of the actors voices. Invariably this "punch it up" surge in the singers track happens at the most important story point of the film. Thereby robbing the viewer of the time they have invested in watching the film. That is bad enough, but not six minutes later, the singing vocalist again "steps" on the last few lines of the film where the leads are trying to plan their future. This technique, of adding a song near the end of a drama, has become a popular cliche'. Grey's Anatomy is the most consistent offender of this cheap trick. For example: A lady's husband has died suddenly, by an excessive injection of the wrong medicine. At the end of the drama the apologetic Dr talks to the decedents wife..." but this is where the predictable, obligatory song that has nothing to do with the story must be sung over the Dr's apology and wife's grief.

I never realized there was such a thing as a personal travel concierge, but I guess the premise isn't that much different than say a party planner. Can't say that switching an average Joe for a billionaire is that common for a premise, but still the whole thing wasn't that unusual. Then there is what I call "the hanging lie" or "hanging secret". That always goes the same way - you know what's going to happen. There were no great highs or lows or big surprises.

Nazneen Contractor and Brooks Darnell were both new to me this past Christmas season and I can't say either one impressed me in the combined four previous movies I've seen with one or the other. But something connected for me in this movie. I guess that's what chemistry is between the leads. I also enjoyed Erik Athavale's part as Gabe. (Interesting that he's reunited with Darnell.)

I just plain enjoyed the movie. I enjoyed going along for the ride.

Hallmark often has great winter scenery which is true again.

Loved all the activities, actors and especially the scenery. Chemistry was good and would like to see more of Brooks Darnell in future movies. Canada looks like a beautiful country and the filming locations are gorgeous. Winter movies are always my favorite so I would definitely love to see more areas.

Unfortunately, once again the music overwhelmed the last half hour and I could NOT hear what was going on! I don't know if this only happens in certain areas but it's a problem.

Great movie otherwise and now I have a craving for Root Beer :)

A serious conversation between the lead actors is impossible to hear near the end of the movie, once again Hallmark has made the music too loud! Otherwise, a nice story and a good cast. Good movie, bad sound...