3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost

You usually can never go wrong when a Hallmark movie stars a real-life couple and this one is no exception. I'm a big fan of both Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally and, as usual, their chemistry is palpable and enjoyable in this movie. The storyline centers around a historical mansion. The main characters were once engaged and a wickedly fun and friendly ghost tries to help them find their way back to each other. Madeleine Arthur is perfectly cast as said ghost and equally drives the storyline with wonderful expression and comedic skill. Kudos to Hallmark for casting her.

The only reason I rated this 9 stars is because the supporting characters could've been better utilized and the writing could've used a bit more detail and polish. Otherwise, I would recommend this movie because the feel of it is different than what you usually see on the Hallmark channel and in a good way.

The true star, and savior, of this movie is hands down Madeleine Arthur. (Recognized her straight away from now-iconic Supernatural ep About a Boy 10x12, a scene-stealer even opposite JA's adult Dean, no easy feat.) What a gem is she and character Ruby. Without her sublime performance, this would be just another meh HC seasonal entry whose trailer you bought into w/high hopes, only to be disappointed. Well, no worries, this one doesn't disappoint, mainly due to Arthur. Her presence almost single-handedly transforms a typical flawed HC offering into something memorable and fun, despite its lackluster and shallow writing, laughably stereotypical villain (he all but twirls his nonexistent mustache), and nonsensical romantic conflict. (Still unclear what the issue was between the two leads and, IWL, pretty quickly didn't care.) The redeeming aspects include the big energy she brings to the interactions between her ghost character and the realtor played by talented and usually reliable-but-lo-key Julie Gonzalo. Their lively chemistry is palpable, an absolute joy to watch from beginning to end and, in THIS case, far beyond even that of Gonzalo and her hottie talented co-star/IRL partner, Chris McNally. Maybe living together w/new baby has temporarily reduced their sizzle to a fizzle. In any case, it's not a stretch to say that the real love story here is the platonic love that develops between The Ghost and Ms Annie. Have to say, the ending moved even this jaded old bird. I'd love to see a sequel or even a series reuniting these two, perhaps to cement the still uncertain fate of Ruby's historic estate once and for all, and in the process help reconcile another troubled couple. Starting w/Annie's sourpuss, emotionally stunted dad. He's clearly embittered due to some great lost love and needs to learn how to show love again. A series could have a troubled romance of the week. You're welcome.

I really liked this movie. I had expectations of a Hallmark re-tread story of some sort, but was pleasantly surprised by this story. The story wasn't the usual girl goes to big city for work then has to return home to small town for some obligatory reason. Love the main actors but especially loved Madeleine Arthur as Ruby. This is my first time seeing her and I have to say I loved her! She gave a super performance and I think she stole the show! She was such a natural. The other cast members were great, too, and they all combined to make this movie a fun time. A little something different from Hallmark, much appreciated.

I was anxious to see this because it stars Julie Gonzalo (who was in "Falling For Vermont", one of my favorite Hallmark movies) and her real life love buddy Chris McNally. They have obvious chemistry and elevate the quality of whatever Hallmark movie they're in.

But the best and most engaging performance of the movie was by Madeline Arthur who played Ruby the ghost. She has beautiful blue expressive eyes and really brought to life a well written character. She's bubbly and animated but also convincingly sad and upset when that's called for. And she really delivers the old 20s lingo like "Jeepers" and "Toots." She looked and sounded a little like Betty Boop. I loved her.

The movie opens with Ruby and several party-goers dancing to the Charleston. It was a great intro and captured the feel of the 20s. And I liked the cut from Ruby's lost love Charlie dropping the flowers he bought for her to the flower tree that grew in that spot (100 years later).

One of Arthur's scene stealing moments is the scene in which Anna gives Ruby some sage to "rid the space of lingering spirits." Ruby's fake and exaggerated depiction of it working reminded me of the famous Meg Ryan scene in "When Harry Met Sally" after which another diner said "I'll have what she's having,"

There's also a fun scene where Anna shows Ruby her modern cell phone and demonstrates how to send text messages. Ruby is amazed and asks "What do you do with all the time you save?" The half groan response by Gonzalo was subtle but effective.

There's also a fun and pointed discussion about what women can do today that ends with a real zinger.

I also liked how the writers avoided following any strict "Ghost Rules" with a wink to the audience:

Anna: "How can you move objects but not people?" Ruby: "I don't know sweetheart. Cruel irony."

The civil way that Anna and Elliot act towards each other, however, after dissolving their business and breaking off their engagement a few months earlier struck me as very ... Hallmarky. Couples who break up are usually not that pleasant to each other, nor do they bump into each other that often. As Anna tells Elliot (in a cute scene):

"We should start avoiding each other like good exes"

But the civility works for this movie because it makes the prospects for a reconciliation more likely.

Anna's father is the no nonsense head of a real estate brokerage and has brought Anna on board following the end of her business with Elliot. Although the villainous realtor Terrence is a bit of a caricature, the father was perfect and the last scene with him and Anna was lovely.

Normally the fun banter is between the couple, but here it's between Anna and Ruby:

Ruby: "You don't want to fight me. I'm as unsinkable as the stock market" Anna; "You're not making the case you think you are."

Anna and Elliot apparently had a restoration business together which Anna abandoned. It's a theme in the movie that is best captured by this line:

"We don't quit. We restore. So let's just restore us"

This was Hallmark at its best.

Starting with its clever and appealing title, "3 BED, 2 BATH, 1 GHOST" is my vote for The Hallmark Channel's best new Saturday night feature of the year...and, trust me, I've seen (or, perhaps more apropos, endured) them all.

This is not Hallmark's first go at a story involving a ghost or an old estate, by any means, but, compared to the channel's usual offerings, this one feels rather fresh. Anyone familiar with The Hallmark Channel should be pleased with the return of the highly affable Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally, who are apparently one of Hallmark's real-life power couples. As always, their performances here do not disappoint, mostly because they're consistently just so darn likable.

What's different this time is that this story features a third lead, and she's a true scene-stealer. Madeleine Arthur (2014's "Big Eyes" and Netflix's 2022 limited series, "Devil in Ohio," just to name a couple) as Roaring '20s youngly deceased socialite, Ruby, is a gem. Like her character, Arthur shines like gold here, and anyone would be blessed to be haunted by the likes of her. Speaking of shining like a gem, Arthur (Ruby) has the most gorgeous blue eyes that, in exterior daylight shots and interior shots where the light hits them just right, shimmer like sun-soaked shallow Caribbean tides. If Arthur were a devil in the aforementioned Netflix series, she's an angel this time around. That's versatility for ya!

This feature, I'm quite happy to state, left me genuinely satisfied, rather than disappointed. "3 Bed..." = 3 lead artists that, under competent direction and a well-written romantic story, gift Hallmark with a long-awaited crowning achievement (pun intended).