Natal em Evergreen

...like many other Hallmark films. Christmas, love, a lovely village, a single father and a succesful pretender, a decisions and the magic changing everything. And, sure, as a real good point, Santa. The virtue of film- it is...comfortable. Real , just real comfortable. Because all is familiar and predictable. And because it gives not a pledge or demonstration or lesson but a simple story . Nothing complicated. Only just nice. And, after a lot of sweet films about same theme, a so honest film and its snow globe are not bad attractions.

This one had every freaking Christmas cliche in the book. Country good/city bad, specious current boyfriend/fiance versus christmas-phobic single Dad, Save the festival, magical Santa, frolicking in the snow, Christmas Cookies, and Christmas-centric small town. And... the boyfriend who appeared like a jump-scare in a horror film. I still liked it. I am one of the majority that really likes Ashley Williams. The screen loves her and she is never less than a sweetie-pie. This entry also featured two other shining stars: Jaida Lily Miller and Rukiya Bernard. Young Jaida is a Hallmark regular for good reason. She is a great little actress and a charming presence. I wish Rukiya were more of a regular than she is. I have seen her as a supporting player in 3 other Christmas Hallmarks and she quite simply lights up the screen. She needs to move over to Lifetime, Hallmark mysteries, or Ion and start starring in her own movies. Move over Tatiana Ali. All this goodness was marred by the irritating mother who was a little too dependent on her beloved daughter. She needed a little therapy, as does many of these Hallmark mothers. As was the town, which couldn't seem to function without the capable heroine.

Ever seen a dancing class recital? The group is dancing away but there is always the kid who is simply doing steps. Sometimes you can see her mentally counting the step-ball-changes before the turn. It looks like dancing but it's missing what makes dancing, dancing.

For me, watching this movie, Ashley Williams is that kid and it ruins the movie for me. Overacting to the hilt, that jack-o-lantern smile, everything too big, too much, overdone. Natural is not in her acting tool box, she acts like a pre-teen in her school play. It's distracting and pulls me right out of the movie. It's a problem b/c she plays the lead and is on camera a LOT, so if watching an actor substitute big-eyed ear-to-ear smiles (sometimes at inappropriate moments) for actually getting into a role annoys you, you might want to plug in It's a Wonderful Life and enjoy the great acting that turns a Christmas movie into a Christmas classic.

The other actors are ok in their roles, and the plot is typical Christmas romance with the usual angels in the snow, tree decorating, bearded old guy dispensing holiday wisdom, etc. etc. The movie is predictable, of course, but that's what Hallmark movies do: guarantee the happy ending.

I love Christmas movies, and for me this one is fair to middling. If you enjoy Hallmark Christmas movies, you'll like this one as it follows their holiday pattern. Teddy Sears (Ryan) and Holly Robinson Peete (Michelle) were bright spots in this movie

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 ( C H R I S T M A S ) MOVIES AND SPECIALS.

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". However it puzzles me that this is the 3rd time I am posting this review. So why am I being "picked on". IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to the review

When a veterinarian sets out to have the perfect Christmas, she assumes it's going to be with her longtime boyfriend. But when a storm shuts down the airport, she crosses path with a doctor and his daughter. What transpires will give them all a Christmas more magical than they could've imagined.

The plot is nothing knew in fact it has been done many times before and much better but none of those films had Ashley Williams.

Ashley has a winning smile. She makes her part look easy and she carries the film. She is her charming self and that is what makes this film very enjoyable!

I hope this review stays up?

Ashley Williams is a small-town girl, born and raised in the town of Evergreen, a town whose magical snow globe grants Christmas wishes. She's a veterinarian and loves her work, but she decides to take a leap and move to Washington D.C. Teddy Spears is a single dad just passing through, but the magical snow globe just might have other plans, and both Teddy and Ashley might end up staying in Evergreen longer than they thought.

Christmas in Evergreen is a pretty cute Hallmark movie, and not for the usual reasons. Yes, it's a bit corny and yes, the heartwarming elements make up for the corniness. But it's Ashley Williams who makes this movie truly delightful. I've never seen her in anything before, but in this film, she seems so completely at home in her character and her surroundings. You really feel that she's lived in that town her whole life, and the sass and spunk she puts into her lines shows she's comfortable with her friends and neighbors. Barbara Niven plays Ashley's mom, and not only is there a strong family resemblance, but they have a wonderfully realistic chemistry together. They really feel like mother and daughter, and it's pretty cute to watch.

The side plots of the story aren't the best or most imaginative, and you might choose those moments to pop some more corn, but Ashley will capture your attention and heart. Catch this movie the next time Hallmark airs it and get ready to root for the good girl.