Natale a sorpresa

For a made for TV Christmas rom-com that didn't even come out on Christmas this was pretty great. There are many shortcomings due to the way it is produced but despite all that, it is much better than it has any right to be. An awkward family gathering and a romance around it is not a new concept but the family dynamics that are kind of entirely new with the exes prospectively going for siblings while thinking about their kids have been dealt with nicely. Amy Acker was so charming that even some of the over the top moments became much more believable. I wish this was an actual Hollywood production with a few cast changes which would've really made this a great Christmas rom-com.

The ex-husband was really, really, miscast, and while the all around nice-ness of the ex and step-mother dynamic is a bit too saccharine for me, the emotions of a blended family during Christmas make it worth watching.

The very fact that the premise is so unlikely for any of the participants to actually go along with is the strength of this movie. What mom would agree to this? Even more so, what new girlfriend would create the invitation? So many people complain (including me) about Hallmark's lack of fresh stories - this one is different.

At first, Kate is too perfect. And Brooke Nevin handles this quite well and even more so as the cracks in her façade appear.

The self-deprecating, clumsy, insecure Maggie is right in Amy Acker's wheelhouse. Many of us first knew her as Angel's Winnifred, but Acker has since been so many other personalities. Hallmark has used her, twice I think, but I think they should do so even more going forward. Actually, Acker probably overdoes this role slightly, but this personality is important in the story, so it's not surprising she has to really sell it.

Yes, Angst. The situation is unlikely because it's awkward and full of angst, and all the main actors bring this out. The insecurity of a mother afraid of losing her daughters to a step mother. A possible step mother afraid of competing with the real mom for both her possible husband and the girls. An ex-husband and boyfriend caught in the middle trying to reconcile them all but making mistakes that only make things seem worse. Isn't all this realistic?

There is a little more depth in this story than the usual Hallmark Christmas movie. It's not quite up with Two Turtle Doves, or Holly & Ivy, but this movie isn't the same old fluff like so many we get between late October and the first of the year.

I liked that there were no villains. In so many movies where there is a rival girlfriend or rival boyfriend, that person is developed into a villain. Often, the writers turn that character at the end to make them into an understanding and forgiving person. I never like either trope. It doesn't feel natural. But there doesn't have to be a true romantic rival here and thus there doesn't have to be a villain. These are real people trying to do the best they can for themselves and for two young girls. It's true that Jeff is wrong in a few ways including blaming Maggie for the situation, but it's only because he too is trying to dig himself out of a mess, and everyone's first reaction to a mess is to find someone to blame.

I thought the ending was a hair anti-climatic so maybe not a perfect score for this movie.

Maggie (Amy Acker) is a single mother of two daughters. When her ex (Kristian Bruun) asks if the girls can spend Christmas in Aspen with his girlfriend Kate's (Brooke Nevin) family, it upsets Maggie's holiday traditions. When they ask if she wants to come too, it means some unusual relational dynamics will be at play. Things really get complicated when Kate's brother Sam (Warren Christie) unexpectedly comes for the holidays and is attentive to Maggie's needs.

Each of the characters is dealing with strong feelings, which ebb and flow with each happening or revelation. There really are no villains in this story, just miscommunications and realistic interpersonal concerns.

The cast is uniformly strong, giving each character its due in the emotional dance that envelops them all. The ending is satisfying, but open enough that a sequel could even make sense. I would watch it.

Don't let the title put you off. From the title, one would think that 'Crashing Through the Snow' could be very cheesy and corny. Did remind myself though that there are many Hallmark films with unappealing, corny titles, but actually the content of the film itself is more mature than it sounds. This did sound interesting and different, and with it being one of the better reviewed 2021 Hallmark films of an inconsistent year expectations were raised.

Those expectations were met on the whole. 'Crashing Through the Snow' did something different, which was really appreciated in a year where there was a good deal of tired executions of tired formulas, and did it very well a vast majority of the time. As far as the 2021 Hallmark films go, 'Crashing Through the Snow' is one of the best by quite some way, along with 'A New Year's Resolution' and 'As Luck Would Have It' (that one surprised me).

Will begin with the not so good. The ex-boyfriend character could have been better incorporated in the story perhaps, the role is a bit of a stretch in the context of the situation and is played a little too seriously.

Also thought that the final quarter was on the too rushed and tidy side.

However, 'Crashing Through the Snow' is near-uniformly well acted, especially Amy Acker and Brooke Nevin as the most real characters and Acker and Warren Christie work well together. The characters mostly don't come over as excessively over the top, there is awkwardness but it fits with the tone, and they are not dull either. The dramas and conflicts feel realistic and relatable and don't come over as too sentimental or forced.

It looks good and the music at least fits and sounds appealing. The script is funny and light-hearted while also having a serious edge when needed without going overboard in that. The story doesn't come over as formulaic, structurally it's unique for the 2021 Hallmark films with very little typical or recycled about it (by Hallmark standards that is). It is warm-hearted and has a liveliness, without going overkill. There is some awkwardness but the conflicts and situation called for that. It is also heart-warming and never mean-spirited.

Overall, a surprising winner and much better than the title suggests. A title that doesn't do it justice. 8/10.