Ritorno ad Aurora - Un Natale speciale

Maybe it's time for Hallmark to create a few GOOD movies for Christmas instead of 30+ barely watchable movies.

This one wasn't the worst but it's far from becoming a classic. So, so many things that are unbelievable in this movie. Too many to list really but here's a few: 1. If they are so far north the can see the northern lights is it daylight at 6am there in winter? 2. Do ppl ride motorcycles in the snow and ice and extreme cold of winter in Alaska? 3. Why spend so your entire savings on a festival to sell the farm? Would it not have sold otherwise? 4. How do you revive the ranch, refresh the barn, decorate numerous trees and plan an entire festival in less than a week?

I could go on....

All seems so predictible, you know the end from the first half of film but the life of community, the memories about past, Corey Sevier and his decent performance as a sort of little Scrooge and lonely stranger are good points of this seductive romance. And, sure, aurora borealis, a town named itself Aurora and three reindeers are good ingredients for a comfortable film like this.

Lately many Christmas movies suffer from overdone makeup main characters that makes them look more like dumb cocottes than charming leading ladies. Not in this movie. Here all the characters are more or less likable and there is a nice and charming feeling of happiness all along the film. This, combined with a modern style but not agressive leading lady who happens to be a plane pilot makes it enjoyable and worth watching. Beautiful Alaskan landscapes, inviting community and a more or less plausible story. Actors do it right and the movie succeeds in creating an endearing snowy Christmas atmosphere without being corny, silly or cloying. Not strange if you end wishing to have your own ranch in Alaska.

This movie follows the typical Hallmark formula...guy and girl don't get on at first but fall in love during the movie. I appreciate that the makeup and hair of the female actors is more realistic and not so overdone, as it is in many Hallmark movies. Disregard the comments of jmlang-180-760580, as I am guessing he/she never lived in Alaska. I lived there for years and, depending on where you are located, there is plenty of bright light in the winter. People wear sunglasses during the winter so they don't suffer permanent damage to their eyes. The sun reflecting off the snow can cause snow blindness.

I love Ashley Williams. She's always happy and smiling and it rubs off. Zoe even makes grumpy Alec smile. That's part of what makes this a good romance story.

The story isn't surprising, but that doesn't matter. There's some good lines and funny moments.