Watched 'Crown for Christmas' with not the highest of expectations, fairly mixed actually. While loving Christmas for as long as can be remembered and liking particularly Rupert Penry-Jones in other things, Hallmark have been very variable (veering towards average or less more than once) when it comes to films of theirs mixing Christmas and royalty. The title sounded sweet but the concept sounded so been there, done that and flimsy.
'Crown for Christmas' turned out to be much better than expected, being well above average and even really quite good. Which is not what the plot synopsis indicated it would be if it was executed wrongly. It may not be flawless or a masterpiece, but it is for me one of the best Hallmark Christmas films out of a very mixed bunch and one of the best of theirs mixing Christmas and royalty. Actually being one of the good ones and one that rises above its concept.
Sure it is thin in story, occasionally silly and can be very predictable. A lot of situations being quite over-familiar and lacking freshness.
Did have reservations here and there with Danica McKellar. Mostly she is appealing, but she also overdoes it for my liking at times.
Again though, mostly she is very charming with a character not too hard to root for and not too stock. All the cast are good, with the remarkably nuanced performance of Penry-Jones coming out on top. 'Crown for Christmas' is one of the Hallmark Christmas films to have characters that didn't annoy me, questioned the point of or come over as lacking in personality. Theodora could have been a brat but wasn't, showing growth, and the bonding relationship between her and Allie had heart and was relatable. Often have reservations with the use of music in their films, it was used well to me and had a festive feel, not sounding overdone in placement or balance.
It looks good, especially the interiors of the royal home which are wonderfully opulent. Lovingly shot too. The script doesn't get too corny or schmaltzy, the odd cringeworthy line here and there but there is heart here and a nice amount of playfulness. The story lacks surprises, but is very charming, very sweet, entertainingly light-hearted and movingly heart-warming.
On the whole, nicely done. 7/10
