I regali del cuore

7.1 stars.

There is a great chemistry between these two actors, but they did not get to explore it enough. The romantic scenes were very nice, and actually quite realistic, they didn't waste any time setting up his laid back flirtations and her reciprocations. She made the first real move to hold his hand, and soon they are proclaiming their love for each other. He goes oversees, now the second year in a row they are apart.

It's a long distance romance movie, and while the acting was expertly done, the script didn't leave us any room to enjoy a real romantic relationship. It's way too much anticipation, and hoping they will be together at long last, and not getting to realize it for the potentially great love story it might have been.

I know he's a heartthrob, I've seen him in various films. She is new for me, but she's absolutely adorable.

She seems a bit juvenile and reticent at first, but skillfully matures in the relationship. I was impressed by her adaptability.

Also there is a strange pacing to it, the romantic gestures happen so quickly and naturally, yet the rest of the events move in slow motion. What happened to the Christmas spirit and the Charles Dickens angles? They seemed to fade away.

It appears an unorthodox formula was used in this film, which I have to admit I somewhat enjoyed even though it was difficult at times to relate to the inevitable interpretation of a splintered story.

Overall the movie was good. The first hour was slow-moving, but I appreciated the evolution of their relationship. We have dear friends in the military, and the holidays are extremely tough for their families, especially if they can't be together. I wouldn't watch it again, but I didn't dislike it either. I prefer more humor, and the military inaccuracies were noticeable, but the storyline was believable.

This had to be the best Hallmark / Christmas movie I've watched this year Kevin and Kayla have so much chemistry this movie was touching and romantic definitely one of those movies more than once.

This is a prime example of how Hallmark re-hashes the same old plot lines in some of their new Christmas movies.

There's really nothing here that you haven't seen done before, but the saving grace is that it is so well acted by the cast, particularly the leads. Kayla Wallace and Kevin McGarry are very good as a woman who has lost her Christmas spirit and the military man she becomes involved with. Together, they elevate the script so much so that you can't help being entertained by this endearing, yet often told, story. Plus, it really is winter - there is no fake snow here so the cinematography is very attractive at times. It looks and feels real. All in all, it's worth watching.

First, I love Hallmark Christmas movies. This attempt was a miss. Story is a little far-fetched but acceptable because it's Hallmark.

What does stand out as a glaring mistake: The long hair for the military is way off. The low, low cleavage of the wedding dress was a "what was I thinking" dress faux pas.

Movie had some laughs for all the wrong reasons.

Better luck next time, Hallmark.