Il Natale delle verità

Our public library added this movie on DVD and my wife and I watched it at home, just under 85 minutes with no commercials!

Erin Krakow is a cutie and a capable actress, she plays Miranda Chester in this second in a series of movies telling her story. She lives and works in Seattle but is traveling back again to Vermont for Christmas. She had found out her real father was a now deceased famous actor and she was welcomed by his primary family, wife and grown children, but cautioned not to tell anyone else about her real father. They thought it would bring shame and tarnish his memory.

However a reporter finds out, confronts her, and announces his intention to write a story. She can either help or not. But working together the extended family figure out a way to handle it all in a productive manner, in the spirit of "family" for the Holidays.

The other story involves Miranda's boyfriend she had met the previous Christmas, he is a local and they both seemed right for each other. So the "Engaging" in the title of the movie is a reference to their intent to eventually get married.

It is a bit too sweet at certain moments, as Hallmark movie tend to be but overall it is good, clean entertainment for the holidays. We enjoyed it.

Found myself really liking the first film 'Finding Father Christmas', which did live up thankfully to its intriguing premise. It was not a masterpiece certainly, but it was one of the best 2016 Hallmark Christmas films and one of their better Christmas films overall too in my view. It similarly contained some of the best work of both Erin Krakow and Niall Matter. Seeing that they had returned for its follow up 'Engaging Father Christmas', expectations were far from low.

Despite worrying that, considering that it is a sequel (and Hallmark are very variable at best usually when it comes to their sequels), it would be too more of the same. Luckily, 'Engaging Father Christmas' doesn't feel too much like that. It is not quite as good a film perhaps as 'Finding Father Christmas', but as far as Hallmark sequels go it is up there as one of the better ones and doesn't disgrace the first film at all. They do go well with watching back to back.

'Engaging Father Christmas' isn't perfect. Will admit to not liking the story as much, this aspect had a good deal more freshness in 'Finding Father Christmas' and tonally it felt more focused tonally. Actually didn't mind that the film was predictable, but the moments of bizarre silliness and not always tight enough pace were less forgivable.

Again the ending was on the rushed side, contrived somewhat too, and the script could have been tighter.

However, there is so much to like about 'Engaging Father Christmas'. It looks pleasing, despite the location not being authentic to me it didn't look too fake and was attractive in its own way. The photography is slick enough. There is a tendency in Hallmark to have the music too prominent and intrusive, found neither to be the case (not distractingly so anyhow) here. The script may be imperfect, but it was light hearted and had good intentions, the cheese and schmaltz not feeling too much.

Likewise, the story has imperfections but for all its predictability as such it did make me feel warm inside, it was very charming and it did have heart without being heavy or over serious. Krakow and Matter return, as does Wendie Malick, and they don't disappoint. Krakow is restrained and sensitive while never looking phoned in or stiff. Matt is pleasantly understated and sympathetic too without ever being too low key, and he looks relaxed. While their chemistry was natural and affecting in 'Finding Father Christmas', it has even more spark and growth here in 'Engaging Father Christmas'. Malick is a breath of fresh air once again. Everyone is well above average and while the characters are not deep they were at least worth connecting with in my view. The direction is accomodating without being too deliberate.

Concluding, well done. 7/10

Yes, the titles are a twist, but adds to the intrigue! I love both of these Hallmark movies. I missed seeing "Finding Father Christmas", last season, as my dau and grand-dau were visiting from Rio. But WHAT A DOUBLE TREAT this season!! I loved both! And especially Niall Matter as Ian! Yes the story is a bit bizarre, but the acting was superb for me! I liked the array of a strong cast. I hope to see them again next season, having seen them each twice already this year! All Hallmark movies are predictable, but this had a few curves to navigate. They just gave me so much enjoyment and lifted me into the holiday season. Going to get to baking today!! Hope the authors, Gunn & Golden are busy writing next years part 3!

Many flaws. First, the pretext of second part of the story who seems too...fake.But a nice atmosphere. A predictable story who has the excuse of familiar characters and interesting -soft solution for save a crisis.. And not bad performances. Few strange scenes , off course, but a reasonable result. And, for a Hallmark Christmas movie , for a second part of a story about a lovely town, a daugther looking for her father and a love story , too, it is enough for enjoy it.

This movie, & series is probably the best out there for Christmas!! I am excited to see the third installment when it comes out in a few weeks!! This series has it all, comedy, some wondering & most of all heart!! Heart is what movies have been lacking from Hollywood really, & originality!! I'm not going to ruin anything for anyone who hasn't seen theses movie but I will say this, I cry every time I see these first two movies. I actually own this & the first on dvd. I am one that really doesn't listen to reviews because a lot of people get PAID to give reviews, (if you understand my meaning). So when someone says after they try to bash others reviews that they are not bias or anything like that, you ignore them!! Those are bias because they are paid to post reviews on places like this & rooten tomatoes!! I do give honest reviews & a lot of mine have been negative!! Just see these movies & decide for yourself!!