Les biscuits magiques de Noël

'Tis the season. One of my favorite hallmark movies ever. I found the leads very compatible and I love that Spanish was spoken a few times. So refreshing. Everything was so well done and I really did feel good watching it.

This movie was pleasant to watch. I might have given the movie itself, based on plot and characters, a "6". However, part of what bumped it up for me to a "7" rating was the presentation of some aspects of Hispanic culture at Christmas time of which I was unaware. (I have to trust that they were accurately portrayed.) Another engaging aspect was the role and portrayal of the family's patriarch -- a very interesting character.

Absolutely adore Christmas and Hallmark have done some above decent and more Christmas films over the years. As well as a fair share of misfires. 2021 was a typically inconsistent year for Hallmark in all their seasonal blockings, but considering the circumstances it turned out quite a lot better than expected. Part of me was expecting all the 2021 films of theirs to be mediocre or below but quite a lot were the opposite. Exactly the same with its 2020 output too.

'Gingerbread Miracle' is not one of the very best 2021 Hallmark Christmas films, but it is also a long way from being one of the worst. As far as the Hallmark Christmas films that had aired up to this point (only 8 previously) goes, 'Gingerbread Miracle' is somewhere bang in the middle. Not the best ('Christmas in My Heart'), and also not the worst ('Coyote Christmas Creek'). It doesn't live up to its miracle name, but it doesn't waste its potential and is a long way from a disaster.

There is a good deal to like. Merritt Patterson is an immensely engaging lead and is the main reason to see the film, she is just so cheerful without overdoing and when it comes to the female lead characters of the 2021 Christmas output Patterson's is one of the more likeable ones. One that is not exaggerated in terms of flaws and not too perfect. The supporting cast are solid. It looks good with lovely scenery and the music is very pleasant and doesn't overbear.

Much of the script is amiable and not too cheesy or schmaltzy, with some nice playful banter between the two lead characters. The story is on the most part engaging and heart warming and did appreciate a lot that there is no contrived misunderstanding that is too neatly resolved or any pantomimic conflict. Didn't find myself bored or irritated by any of the characters and really appreciated too that Patterson's character in particular grew rather than being too perfect at the beginning or being difficult to like throughout before an abrupt last minute turnaround (both common with Hallmark)

Did find that a couple of aspects were uneven however. Jon-Michael Ecker does become more at ease and a warmer presence, but early on he did seem rather stiff and uptight. While the chemistry between him and Patterson did grow significantly by the end of the film it did take time to get developing, for the first half the chemistry was quite bland and awkward.

While the story engages on the whole, it is slight and it can drag at times. It is also not particularly innovative, there are things done differently to usual but it does revolve around the general formula with this particular scenario and doesn't do a huge amount new with it.

In conclusion, unexceptional but above average. 6/10.

Enjoyable movie with an ethnic twist. I actually liked the fact that there was a romance without any of the usual 'misunderstanding' that adds fake tension. The actors were believable although I didn't care much for the 'French' baker. The Hispanic bakery was a nice change. Probably not quite an 8 but I liked it better than the inoffensive ones I give a 7 to.

6/10 - this story is kind of different from what we normally see and I am really enjoying Hallmark's new initiative to highlight other cultures and making diversity a priority in their holiday films.