Un Noël de feu et de glace

It's set at Christmastime in Michigan. But, really, the story could just as easily have happened during the summer in Arizona. It's about an indoor ice rink.

I liked the two leads. But the antagonist was an arrogant jerk in a movie that didn't even need a villain. It would have been more interesting if he was a kindhearted developer who simply had a different viewpoint than the rink owner.

Come to think of it, I would like to have seen more ice-skating, less drama outside the rink. The movie should have really focused on the protagonist overcoming her past, finding new purpose in the ice, and saving the rink.

This movie is an excellent remedy for insomnia. Based on the setting in an ice rink and the typical Hallmark plot of a young woman going back to her hometown, I wasn't expecting much from this movie. It was really boring for the first 30 minutes. Hardly anything happens other than the lead female heading to her hometown and finding out the local town single dad is into her. But the lead actors have about as much chemistry as wallpaper paste. The lead actor looks bored. The workaholic boss is loud and demanding. So many cliches. The acting is stiff and the lead actress recites her lines like she's reading from a teleprompter. The hilarious part is how the townspeople are supposed to be impressed by her figure skating skills. The lead actress (if it's even really her) can barely twirl in a circle on skates and the audience is supposed to believe she won skating awards as a teenager? The reality is that figure skating is a time-consuming and expensive sport. The casting directors could have cast some real skaters as body doubles or extras to make the skating scenes more believable. And of course, the premise of the single dad falling for the single woman from the city is so overplayed. Hallmark isn't exactly known for being original but these same plots are so trite. Save your sanity and watch something else.

"An Ice Palace Romance (2023)" skates just above thin ice, managing to deliver a lukewarm blend of predictability and charm. The film follows the well-trodden path of a big-city journalist, Emma, who returns to her quaint hometown only to face her childhood fears and, of course, a dormant love for ice skating. The plot, as cozy and predictable as a pair of old mittens, offers few surprises. It's the cinematic equivalent of a comfort food dish - not particularly exciting, but satisfying in its own right.

The saving grace of the film lies in its heartwarming dynamics between Lori, the rink owner Mark, and his precociously adorable daughter, Zoe. Their chemistry is as smooth as a freshly Zambonied ice surface. Mark, with his rugged charm and dad jokes, brings a lightness to the story, while Zoe's earnest enthusiasm for skating and matchmaking adds a sparkle of joy. However, the film's reliance on clichés feels as rehearsed as a figure skating routine.

In conclusion, "An Ice Palace Romance" is the kind of film you watch while wrapped in a blanket, sipping hot chocolate, and not expecting any cinematic revolutions. It's a feel-good movie that skates by on its charm and the sheer predictability of its plot. It doesn't aim for a triple axel of storytelling and settles for a steady glide. It's a three-star film - not because it's exceptional, but because it's comfortably okay, like a familiar pair of skates that have seen better days but still fit just right.

I was hoping HM would stay on the new course of producing better movies and diff storylines. Obviously it didn't happen with this Tty rob com if you can call it that And please can the male lead ever comb his hair. What gives with the hairstylists for HM? The leads have no chemistry and the best actor was the major. She was the most believable.

I don't understand why HM keeps producing these tired stories and use leads that have no chemistry.

It's like they don't care for their audience I don't expect Oscar nominated movies but at least a three star showing. This by far is my most Cristal review I have ever written but HM has to step up their game or say good bye.

There is nothing wrong with the concept of this movie. On paper, it should be a pretty good tv Christmas movie. But then things went wrong...

First, I'll start with the obvious, too obvious, actually. I hate to be the one that critises a movie based on the makeup of the leading lady but it's quite the eyesore. Why must you give her duckface lips? WHY? What's wrong with her normal lipline? Also, do we really have to make her eyes look extra droopy with the weird eyeshadow contouring thing? The makeup people made the leading lady, whose face is constantly close to the camera, look like a droopy duckface. Maybe it's not such an eyesore when you're watching at a distance but with computer streaming and high quality screens and cameras, it's really just unacceptable.

Secondly, where is the romance? If you told me this was about two friends instead of a couple, I might've reconsidered my rating. There was just no chemistry at all and the only bit of romance we got was a very awkward little peck on the lips. Just because a movie is family friendly, doesn't mean there can't be any romance. There are a few little attempts at compliments from the leading man which were mildly convincing, but this appears to be because he's a far more natural actor.

Thirdly, Celeste Desjardins performance is lacking in quality. She's not super bad but she's too uptight in this movie. It doesn't come across as a character being "themselves" but rather as an actress that put on the character's costume and is playing until someone yells "cut". While this is of course how acting works, the viewer is not supposed feel that. Her performance is just not credible enough for a leading role. I was waiting for her to drop the fake smile and the "Lori" act and for someone to yell "cut".

On the plus side, the story is good, there was no fake snow that was painfully, obviously fake, I love the ice skating theme, and Marcus Rosner kind of saved this movie acting wise.

Not a complete waste of time but with a little more effort and attention to detail, it could've been far more enjoyable to sit through.