Snowed-Inn Christmas

Yes...if you are sick of the glut of banal Hallmark style romance movies that come out at this time of year that use Christmas as a setting to try to suck viewers in to watching them, you will be very pleasantly surprised with this one. True, it is a romance movie, but it is also one of the rare ones that sews Christmas magic into the fabric of the film. I'm one of those people who feels that it's not the time of the year that makes a movie a "Christmas"movie. Other that White Christmas (the exception) I want to see Christmas magic...fantasy, escapism, wonderment. That for me is what makes a Christmas movie special. This movie has it all...romance, fantasy, wonder, great settings and I love "Rudolph"...what a classic. Joy Lenz is a refreshing beauty in this one and the Winters bring a nice piece of tradition to the film. If there's one newer movie to watch this holiday season, make it this one. I highly recomment

A carefully crafted script, brought to life by the perfectly convincing performances of Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker. Joy Lenz is the buttoned-up perfectionist and Andrew Walker is perfectly placed to unbutton her.

Why did it took me like 2 weeks to find out about this movie? About Andrew W. Walker and Bethany Joy Lenz working together?

I'm used to watching more Hallmark and I saw a few Lifetime movies that I did not like and i'm glad this changed that. I finished this movie with such a smile that I was already thinking when I could see it again. The story itself it's good but the performances and chemistry take it to another level. Both Andrew and Bethany nailed their performances in every aspect.

I really hope these two get to work together again.

With Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker taking the lead, how can it not be at least good? The popular duo play 2 journalist colleagues sent to Aspen to compete for top spot at their magazine. They both are "off" Christmas. Andrew, because he can't bear to go home to his lovely family since his Dad died. Bethany, because her boyfriend just dumped her after looking forward to spending it with him and his family. They get stranded in Santa Claus, Indiana, at a B & B run by Mr. And Mrs. Winter with both trying to find a Christmas story there that will save their jobs. Rivalry leads to mutual appreciation, liking, then love, even though they are so different from each other.

Andrew's character seems a little sneaky at first. But when he finds out Bethany was an unadopted orphan who made up her happy Christmas tradition stories, he takes her to his nearby home so she can have the family Christmas she has always dreamed of. It was sweet and touching and embodied the true spirit of Christmas.

Bethany realizes right away that there is something magical and mysterious going on with the B & B and the Winters. The fantasy is handled with wonder and without silliness thanks to Belinda Montgomery and John B. Lowe who play the couple and the excellent script. When she finds a photograph of the Winters dated 1842...Well. I will say no more, but she knows she has her story. If only she can find a certificate designating the Inn as a property of historical significance that will prevent it's demolition. Yes, there is that going on as well.

The only quibble I had was when bad boyfriend showed up, she took way too long to dump him. The actors all shine in this one, with a special shout out to Tasha Scott, a former Tyler Perry stand-out, who made the small part of their boss entertaining and special. The last short scene with "The Winters" is worth a an extra star all by itself.

By this time of year..a week before Christmas, one can pretty much expect to have seen every movie plot permutation possible. The formula is time-tested, it is comforting in its familiarity, and always gives the viewer a smile when the happy ending arrives. While this film meets all those criteria, it stands out because of the excellent acting involved, as well as the intelligent, snappy dialogue. Andrew Walker is a marvelous actor, with a vast store of acting talent..He has a range of facial expressions, delivers dialogue with appropriate feeling, and is extremely attractive and appealing..In all his movies, he offers a true depiction of his character..There is never anything bland or repetitious about his acting...Bethany Joy Lenz is gifted in any role she undertakes. She has an intelligent demeanor, she has a range of expressions..and to her credit, unlike other holiday movie actresses, she does not spend her time on screen giggling or frantically smiling. One feature of this type of movie that might be thought about more carefully by the writers or producers is the cliche moment when the male and female leads are a moment away from their first kiss..the heroine's ex always appears. It is predictable, it is almost a joke by now, and it really interrupts any originality of the moment..There must be a way to re-think this cliche moment because the viewer is so used to it, it is actually comical when it happens in every film.

This is a really appealing movie..Give it a chance..You will smile , for sure.