Une avalanche d'amour

As someone who has been going to Glacier National Park his entire life, I was looking forward to seeing scenes of the park. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. There was spectacular scenery of British Columbia, but there were only two references to the real GNP: Grinnell Glacier and Apgar (which is a town at the foot of Lake McDonald--there is NO "Apgar Gulch."). Furthermore, there is only cross country skiing in Glacier--the closest downhill ski area is Big Mountain (I refuse to use the new name "Whitefish Mountain Resort") near Whitefish. Also, motorized vehicles like snowmobiles are prohibited in the park in the winter. There are so many realistic story lines that could be made in the real Glacier National Park, that it's unfortunate they picked something so completely inaccurate.

Whoever was in charge of continuity for this film should be fired. In more than one scene where the protagonists are skiing, the ski pants on the main actress are a different color from the ones she is wearing before and after the skiing (she is wearing a light blue ski suit with matching top and bottom, but on the hill the pants are a darker blue). So obvious and distracting.

Also the storyline with the sister just ended abruptly with no real conclusion.

And why do you pretend this is an actual location (Glacier) when it is totally filmed in Fernie. Why not try to remove all things that point to/advertise Fernie. Why even use Glacier Park in the title if you aren't willing to film there?

Hallmark has had this same issue in a movie about Banff that had parts obviously filmed in Winnipeg and Ontario.

This is not one of their best.

That's how I feel about 99% of everything Hallmark makes today these days. Well, no most of it is bad but a few are lost potential. This was did a bit better. I enjoyed it for the most part but it always comes back to these days that no matter the disagreement the girl is never as wrong as the guy. Which is just tired and boring. Watching an imperfect man next to a supposedly perfect woman is so fake and obnoxious. I know people will disagree with me but I can't I see what do much if media is trying to push.

So for this movie the chemistry wasn't bad. I don't normally like this actor but he's growing on me a little. I've always liked her but this wasn't her best performance, or rather her character was a bit off putting. Arrogance isn't any more attractive in women than it is in men.

I liked the fresh take on the professions of the leads. Also, always good to have dogs. The young lady who played Samantha was exceptional. They kinda dropped the Sonia storyline which on one level was fine but for that reason it was pointless to have it to begin with. And the story line with her sister was removed but unresolved. You'll understand when you see it. Sonia and the sister's story lines had so much focus that it was weird to realize they fizzled pretty quickly.

Anyway, I give it a six overall.

It was good enough to watch at least once.

I've always enjoyed Ashley Newbrough and she doesn't disappoint me here. Her character is upbeat, but more importantly she is highly intelligent and more than competent in the snow. I did have a problem with Stephen Huszar's Chris. This man is ridiculously unprofessional in several ways. His total disregard for the science is close to criminal negligence given the importance of his responsibilities. The viewer knows something is behind this but the movie waits toward the end to reveal it. It's not hard to guess though. But beyond that he is misogynistic toward Heather as he makes several successive assumptions that are quite rude and, as I said, unprofessional. Of course this is the usual early antagonism between the romantic leads that seems to be required in these movies, but I thought that it was done in a way that detracted from the story AND I thought some of it carried on far too long.

The story is predictable with no great highs or lows. The viewer could see the climax coming almost from the start. Throw in the tween motherless daughter who of course falls in love with Heather. The dialogue was OK. Newbrough and Huszar do get to establish some chemistry and seem quite comfortable together.

The scenery was outstanding which given the location was inevitable. There was a lot of education about avalanches including practical advice for sports people who encounter the risks. I assume most of it was accurate.

NOT! Why not just call it "Love in British Columbia" ??? The people at Hallmark think we're all stupid. Glacier doesn't have any formal ski resorts within its boundaries. Cross-country - yes. BUT no chairlifts for sure. So over Hallmark using places that don't even resemble the actual location. Another example is in The Christmas Train - which shows the actors gazing at the beautiful, rugged peaks outside La Junta, CO - which is on the eastern plains of Colorado at least 200 miles from any kind of mountain - and nothing rugged as shown.

So let's talk actors: Ashley Newbrough is a mediocre actor in every sense of the word. I have not seen a single movie with her in it that's she been good OR believable. AND PLEASE! No one goes skiing in full makeup INCLUDING fake lashes and lipstick. COME ON! Stephen Huszar was OK. Just passable. The young lady playing his daughter was delightful - she lit up the screen in every scene she was in.

UNNECESSARY and UNFINISHED storylines: Teagan Moss is the sister. She and her husband have been going through IVF. She takes a pregnancy test and it's negative. She's devastated - AND YET - the next day she's very chipper - hot tubbing and playing in the snow with the daughter. It's NEVER mentioned again. What was the point? AND her sister (Newbrough) never asks her about it? NEVER!!! Then there's the "nemesis woman." She obviously has the hots for Huzsar's character...and seems miffed he's not interested - but that storyline too is never addressed after she huffs out of the party. What was the point there? Totally unnecessary.

We also have the confrontation between Newbrough and Huzsar about her avalanche software. They never really discussed it in depth - but he won't support it - so she gets angry and decides to go home. OOPS. The airport is closed due to snow. So ... she and Huzsar's friend use it and freak out because they are on a search and rescue operation - and HORRORS ... there's avalanche activity and no one knew it without her program. After JUST ONE use - he's sold and asks her to stay.

One of the most contrived, silly storylines ever. Thank goodness they were all safe ... but still nothing on the sister's IVF thing.

Overall - I give it a 5 - for the daughter and the scenery.