La slitta dei desideri

I watched "Christmas in the Smokies" the day before and realized that this movie has a similar story. A guy leaves town and a young love for fame and fortune then returns many years later. The story did not quite work in either movie. The two leads here were nice to watch. The guy reminds me of a young Gregory Peck. This was a pleasant movie but not a memorable one. The movie lagged in spots and I even dozed somewhere in the middle for a few scenes. I rate this one about the same as Matchmaker Santa in which the Santa Claus used that same finger on the nose for a magic thing- which I also saw at the end of this movie. Many scenes shot in an antique shop and a town office building were not inspiring. Why put anything about friend's husband restoring a car? Would not watch again.

What otherwise might have been a decent but routine plan-an-event type of ROM-COM, warranting a "6" review score, becomes elevated to a "7" because of the lead characters' interplay around their respective, and partially shared, backstories. Tracy and Hepburn its not, but this adds spice to the story. Then the movie rises to become a very memorable "8" by the addition of the most charming Santa look-alike since Edmund Gwenn's portrayal in 1947's "Miracle on 34th Street". The Sleigh, itself, gets an honorable mention in a supporting role. I agree with several other User Reviewers who recommended hanging in there through a slow start and some awkward dialogue early on. I think you'll be glad you did.

I've thought about this film a number of times since I first saw it years ago, and it grows on you with time. That qualifies it to be included as a "Hidden Gem" on my IMDB "Christmas Movie Favorites" list.

Although we've liked the leads in other movies ... David Alpay in The Mistletoe Inn and Erin Cahill in A Timeless Christmas (among others) ... I found this movie falling a little flat.

David Alpay's performance here is exactly the same as in The Mistletoe Inn, which is sort of an issue with "Hallmark casts". They just don't get a lot of character definition out of many of their actors and actresses).

This is another of the disgruntled former lovers coming back together stories, this time assisted by Santa's magic sleigh that keeps moving around to put them in the same place.

These stories work best when they give the viewer a compelling reason to root for the romance. This story doesn't. We've just supposed to root for the romance, because that's the two people presented, not because the story makes it clear they're a real match to overcome the antithetical romance elements, which last a remarkably short time. One blah apology seems to heal the separation wound.

There is some slopping editing. While painting the sleigh, David has painted a small area, then the area widens, then it's back to the small area again, with some paint having disappeared. Plus, the paint seems to dry just a little too fast. If you've painted, you know how long it stays tacky, especially in cool weather. The two stop painting and lean on the sleigh. Nope.

Today marks our third viewing, and I think because I failed to remind us, by reviewing the movie before, just how drab and unconvincing it really is. Writers should not merely assume the viewer shares their goal, they should sell the story and the relationship, and that simply doesn't happen here.

7.3 stars.

The chemistry between the leads (Laurel and David) is natural and warm with some fun and even a bit of tension. They dated many years ago and it didn't work out, he left town after college etc... Now they are working on putting together the perfect Christmas parade for the Mayor of the town. If it all goes smoothly Laurel is looking at a promotion to City Manager. Her daughter Scarlett is a little sweetheart, a very endearing pre-teen girl. Scarlett has an instant connection with David and has grown fond of him almost like an uncle or even a father figure. It would appear this is mostly due to the chemistry between her mom and him. As Laurel and David embark on refurbishing an old Christmas sleigh, the sparks fly, and then they hit a slump. Many challenges pop up over the weeks leading to the tree lighting, preparing the sleigh, and ushering in a wonderful parade. The whole cast works together to make it a smooth and uneventful Holiday.

The story is ordinary, however the casting and acting are great. The rest is average. I give this film slightly above average ratings because the interactions between the characters was remarkable. I can't justify any higher than 7.3, the x-factor and entertainment value are feeble.

As has been said quite a few times, Hallmark's Christmas output is very hit and miss. Some though are above average level, and there are some surprisingly enjoyable ones amongst the average and less films that there is in a good deal of in their output. Have been on a roll for the past couple of years watching and reviewing as many Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas films every now and again and it has been interesting despite the quality being uneven.

'Sleigh Bells Ring' is to me among Hallmark's better festive efforts and certainly for that year. It is light years away from being a masterpiece or flawless and will admit to considering bailing early on, but stick with it as it does get better. It was a pleasant watch and is really not bad when taken for what it is and judged for what it's meant to be. Which is an inoffensive if uneven and hardly unique watch and not a cinematic classic or milestone.

There are a lot of great things in 'Sleigh Bells Ring'. It is very professionally filmed and the locations are simply beautiful. Loved the sleigh as well. A lot of Hallmark's Christmas films suffer from being over-scored, meaning being too constantly used and too loud. That isn't so big a problem here and the use of "Sleigh Ride", have always been very fond of Leroy Anderson's version (a favourite at Christmas concerts) was inspired. While the characters are not meaty or original, none of them annoyed me and nor did they bore me. The leads were easier to connect to than expected. They also had personality traits that appealed and any negative traits were not exaggerated, which can be a common problem with female lead characters particularly in Hallmark's Christmas output.

Erin Cahill, in one of her better festive outings for Hallmark, and David Alpay are very charming leads and their chemistry was natural and sweet, without being cloying. Hallmark have always varied when it comes to child performances, here is one of the better ones. Cute as a button without being too cutesy and with no flaws being overdone. The dialogue can be treacly, but it did generally make me smile and didn't take itself too seriously (while not treating things as too much of a joke either). The story is light-hearted and heart-warming, even if originality pretty much goes out the window. It isn't sluggish and it is not as contrived as other Hallmark Christmas films. The messaging is sweet and didn't find myself being beaten around the head with it.

Admittedly, the story is very formulaic and quite thin on the ground, with as said very little originality.

It, the film that is, is a slow starter and the dialogue is very cheesy and stilted in the early portions of the film. Enough to make you want to stop watching.

Overall, not bad at all if not great. 7/10