The Snow Must Go On

Another reviewer admitted he gave up shortly after 27 minutes. I can definitely see why he and his wife felt that way. It was cringe worthy. Myself, I try not to write a review without at least scanning the entirety of the movie.

One positive which became obvious even during that horrible start is that Corey Cott is talented. The audience gets several chances to hear him throughout the movie.

Isaiah starts off as extremely unlikeable. He is totally self-absorbed and selfish. He quickly sees how he can advance his own career without regard to the interests of the students, the school or the musical he is directing.

Then at about the 29 minute mark, Isaiah begins to exhibit some truly commendable traits. I have seen many movies in this genre which start out very badly and then quickly improve to the point of becoming enjoyable. Isaiah hasn't become a perfect hero, but at this point forward there is some hope for an enjoyable enterprise. Isaiah actually is starting to look like a natural director.

Another thing happens well into the movie. Cott and Heather Hemmens (as of this writing not credited on this movie's main IMDb page) do have some chemistry after the character Isaiah gets over himself.

There are a couple of interesting minor subplots that weave into the final product. I thought I could see where the story would end up at the climax and I wasn't far off.

Aside from Corey Cott, there were several very talented students, especially Emily Leung as Miranda.

This movie has a totally off-putting start but soon becomes interesting and enjoyable. Stick with it.

I always enjoy a good song or two in a Hallmark movie-give me a catchy duet and a cozy setting, and I'm usually hooked. But I just couldn't get into this one, no matter how hard I tried. The main character, Isaiah, just didn't click for me. He came across as manipulative and oddly smug for most of the movie, and while I know he supposedly has a change of heart near the end, it felt a little too late and not entirely earned.

The chemistry between him and Lilly-Anne was flat at best. There was no spark, no zing, nothing that made me root for them. I really wanted to like it, especially since I enjoy Corey Cott, I thought he was great in Making Waves, but this character just didn't suit him.

Maybe it's because I come from a theatre background myself that I had higher hopes for this storyline, but the execution fell flat. It had all the right ingredients on paper-music, romance, redemption-but somehow it never hit the right notes. This one's definitely not making my rewatch list.

6.0 stars.

There are a few good emotional moments when the lead has a reality check, or when he's uplifting one of his students and helping people around him to be better (even though he's sort of a flaky jerk). As his character improves, the movie improves, but the story doesn't flow at a pace that works. It's just not the most entertaining film. The only positive aspects are the female actresses, both the lead female and the niece. I really enjoyed both of these women a lot and hope to see them in more movies. I've seen the lead female in several Hallmark films, but not enough.

In the end, I'd compare 'The Snow Must Go On' to a very slow and less enjoyable episode of 'Glee'. I suppose the last five minutes was okay, once we get to see the finished product of the high school Christmas musical and the final romantic scene (which every movie in this genre contains).

What a concept to use a character of a Broadway star to sing VERY well in this Christmas story that the Jr High school teacher quit and who will take over?

Cheesy yes.

Loved Broadway references.

And very well acted actor. Loved his voice. Loved the sequins of what was.

The love chemistry was not there for me. Too forced between the two teachers.

Loved the scenes with the "Ensemble girl" and her Broadway produce mother. Coming from an actor that is true to life where you would do anything either to be seen or not want to be seen.

All in all a good cutest hallmark Christmas movie that I will keep in my DVR.

Good lord. I have never sat through a more miserable experience than this, and I wasn't even paying attention to most of it! Who wants to watch a two-hour-long movie about an adult man acting in a highschool musical that *he* wrote? I'm convinced the other reviewers watched a completely different movie, because there is absolutely nothing good about this.

It's like they tried to put a modern spin on "White Christmas" and instead of hitting the nail on the head they nailed to board to their hand. Nothing about this is fun, witty, or amusing. Even by accident! By the end, my family was genuinely wishing death upon the main character!

I think I would rather watch a ten hour documentary on lions mating than even one minute of this movie again. 0/10, don't bother.