Christmas in the Smokies

Am not giving 'Christmas in the Smokies' a low rating or negative review out of maliciousness or prejudice. Although the story sounded very tried and tested (by a few years after this it was a concept that became done to death) with not much to it, Sarah Lancaster is often watchable and Christmas has always been very special to me and my family. So actually there was some potential in it. Hardly a film doomed from the get go, very few films in existence are like that.

'Christmas in the Smokies' just completely failed to deliver in nearly every area. There are redeeming merits, sadly over-shadowed by the many big flaws. Is it a complete waste of time? No, and it takes a lot for me to call anything that and has done so for quite some time. Some films do have less than promising concepts but actually do manage to execute it in a far more engaging way than one would think. 'Christmas in the Smokies' does not do that.

Lancaster is an appealing lead and is expressive and easy to like as the one halfway interesting character in the whole film. Barry Corbin is decent too.

The film looks quite nice, lovely scenery and well shot.

Everything else however is done rather badly. While the supporting cast are not terrible, nobody stands out as memorable or identifiable. What is the point too of having Jill Wagner in the film and give her practically nothing to work with. The characters are shallow cliches and nothing more, with no real development to them. The central relationship is both underdeveloped and rushed with no conflict or growth, it also lacks spark and at times looks awkward. The music can be intrusive and too schmaltzy sounding and the direction is at best workmanlike.

Regarding the story, there is practically nothing to it. It is very dull due to having a wafer thin story that is over-stretched and does absolutely nothing new with over-familiar material. Add to that a leaden pace and no charm, heart or any discernible tension (everything seemed too neat), and one has a very dull and bland story and film that resolves too easily and obviously.

Overall, not a waste but not recommended. 3/10

7.0 stars.

Mason broke Shelby's heart many years ago and became a big country star. Sound familiar? Yep, it's the theme of many a drama. Now Mason's back in town for a while and Shelby is still bitter and angry for the fact that he was her one true love and always will be (even if she can't come to terms). Shelby and her parents run a berry farm that will be in foreclosure very soon. They can't keep up with the mortgage and they need help. Unfortunately for Shelby, Mason is the last resort they must turn to in order to save the farm.

This story is standard formula Hallmark, but it was released in 2015, which means maybe it's one of the forerunners of this particular storyline. It doesn't stand out for me, it's just a simple and easy going film about a woman who is beside herself over a guy who broke her heart. Now that he's back in town, she must experience the pain all over again, because she truly hasn't gotten over him after all these years.

There are some tender moments and the film is of a higher quality, but the story itself just isn't as entertaining as I would've preferred. The romance is not fully elevated or rewarding. Take it or leave it.

Yes, the story line of a farm about to close is one we have all heard before, but I love this one. I like the chemistry between the leads. Shelby is angry because she's been burned by him before, when he put his music career first, but you can't help but pull for them the whole time. Their squabbles keep you engaged and their smiles at each other are so great. I also love the side characters, which is often not the case. They are funny, they are not overacting, they are entertaining, etc...

My girls and I watch this one almost every year and I couldn't say that about most romantic Christmas movies.

An American television drama film; A story set in Tennessee about a woman in danger of losing her family farm to developers, yet the return of her childhood sweetheart may give her new hope. This is a predictable faith-based romance with a well-trodden plot but it has an attractive and competent cast guide the inoffensive, uninspiring mediocre storyline. The music is nice too. It lacks scale in parts where clearly the producers didn't even have the budget for a few hundred extras. The story is swiftly brought to an end with an appalling plot device, but overall it is a warm-hearted, good natured flick.

What else do you need in a movie than to watch Sarah Lancaster. Has much better acting than most TV Christmas movies.