P.S. Joyeux Noël

I like that the story was about getting through grief rather than the usual "I don't like Christmas and also my big corporation wants to buy your small business" story. A lot of people are sad at Christmas and it's good to see that addressed. It's always good to see Patrick Duffy on my screen, and I also liked that one of the main character's friends was obnoxious, rather than all the friends being super nice robots. There's always one!

...Torrey DeVitto is perfect for Hallmark Christmas movies. Sweet, fun and drop dead gorgeous.

This was probably not as good as her previous effort, Write Before Christmas, but she is not to blame: she is excellent in this too.

The chemistry between leads, while not terrible, is not that strong. The plot was totally predictable, but it's a Hallmark movie, so that's not unusual. Strong performances by supporting cast, and some genuinely fun moments.

If you like Hallmark Christmas movies, you'll probably like this one too.

How refreshing to see a Hallmark movie that does not have a writer, chef, event planner, or lawyer. Perhaps the screenwriters should consider several other professions such as in this movie instead of recycling the same scripts over and over in most of their movies. I enjoyed this one, because it was different.

'The Christmas Promise' is another 2021 Hallmark Christmas film to have a more serious theme for its story, after 'Christmas in My Heart'. The themes of grief and loss is familiar territory for Hallmark, but they are such relevant, universal and relatable themes/emotions due to everybody encountering them at least once in their lives that it doesn't matter how many times they're seen in film and television. Did like the idea and was already prepared to appreciate its good intentions regardless of the overall execution.

On the whole, the themes and the idea in 'The Christmas Promise' are executed quite well. Not flawlessly, with some story progression/pacing issues and aspects could have been fleshed out more. There was a lot to like about 'The Christmas Promise' though, it did move me, it's well performed and its good intentions and well meaning were very much obvious and appreciated hugely. As far as the 2021 Christmas films from Hallmark go, it's overall neither one of the best or worst (though out of the ones that had been aired already and this it is one of the better faring ones).

Am going to start with the good. It is a good looking film, with the scenery being beautiful. The music has presence and isn't drab, but it also doesn't feel intrusive or overwrought (which would have been very easy to do with such a serious story). The script has sincerity and doesn't get too melodramatic, though it is not always perfect.

While the story isn't perfect either, it deals with the themes of grief and loss thoughtfully and poignantly and manages to be moving without being maudlin. While also managing to be cheerful and upbeat, the gentle tone working very well. The cast are near uniformly great, with a poignant turn from Torrey DeVitto, a sympathetic one from Dylan Bruce and the always worth watching Patrick Duffy bringing understated feistiness to his role.

Did however find some of the story rushed in how it progresses, with things happening too quickly and sometimes introduced abruptly in the final third particularly. While DeVitto and Bruce have really lovely chemistry together, the relationship itself develops too fast and almost too whirlwind like.

While really liking Duffy in the role, his story could have been fleshed out a lot more or been cut because it did feel like padding. Personally did find Karen Holness too hammy and her character obnoxious, they do not gel within a film with such a gentle tone.

In summary, pretty good film with good intentions and heart but also a few bumps. 6.5/10.

6/10 - love that Hallmark included an honest look at grief in their slate of movies this year, but something about how it ended (no spoilers) really didn't sit well with me.