Recherche fiancé pour Noël

This Hallmark offering, though plight with the usual cliches (small town, childhood friends, affirmative action CEO, token lgbtq assistant, predictable plot etc.) was a breath of fresh air!

I usually watch these movies because they are easy on one's brain cells but this one was surprisingly different: it was really very very funny and, moreover, funny in a smart way. There were a few cringeworthy moments involving the publishing company CEO but they were few and far between: The chemistry and the banter between the leads was greatly enjoyable!

Rachel Leigh Cook seems to have a knack at choosing her Christmas movies at Hallmark!

I can never understand people being surprised by a Hallmark production. Yes, it's completely unbelievable and at times you feel in need of a bucket because the dialogue is so sickly sweet, but at it's core it's what a lot of people love / need, especially at Christmas. This movie might not be their best, but it made me feel good.

I can't say I've ever loved the premise of a relationship expert writer who loses or doesn't have a boyfriend/fiancé. Throw in that she is an "influencer" on social media. The truth comes out a little earlier than usual and then things get interesting. Sure, overall, it's predictable, but this kind of ending is what the viewers want. The way it gets there is kind of different.

There is some good dialogue, especially when Rachael Leigh Cook is involved. Cook and Travis Van Winkle have great interplay and chemistry.

There is at least one other romance going, but Cook and Van Winkle dominate most of the story.

Further proof that Rachael Leigh Cook definitely knows a good Hallmark movie when she sees one. Has she ever starred in a bad one? I don't think so...

What seems like a fairly shallow type of plot actually becomes something more.

Yes, you have the smalltown Christmas theme - all the usual Christmassy events are there - but don't let that discourage you if you're not a fan of that particular trope.

RLC (who I must admit is very easy on the eye) and Travis Van Winkle as Merry Griffin and Adam Walters steal the show. They are fantastic together, and strong in their solo scenes as well. They benefit from a funny, witty and surprisingly heartfelt film. There are a few cringey moments, but they were thankfully few and far between.

Of course it ends with a kiss. They always do. But this one felt less cliched than many others.

Well, the movie was fair; your typical made-for-tv Christmas movie. But what made me submit this was IMDB's own description, where it says Merry "finds a new perspective and Christmas cheer with charismatic aid worker Chris." Who is Chris? There's no Chris in this movie. Obviously, they mean Adam, the male lead opposite Merry.