Um Encanto de Natal

It's nearly Christmas, so the "How Did This Get Made" podcast has switched to Christmas themed films for a while, one of which was "Snowmance" an almost passable but rather dull Christmas themed romantic comedy, with a confusing central message.

Since being shunned by a local boy as an adolescent, Sarah (Ashley Newbrough) and her friend Nick (Adam Hurtig) have a tradition of making a snowman version of her ideal boyfriend every year. Nick has always secretly loved Sarah though, apart from a brief period in high school, they have never been together romantically. They create the snowman this Christmas, and the next day Cole (Jesse Hutch), the snowman transformed into a real human, knocks on the door and promises to whisk Sarah away from her life, a prospect that Nick doesn't like.

Certainly, for a film I've viewed for this podcast, "Snowmance" was an easy watch. The performances aren't bad and whilst there's nothing to write home about in the cinematography or direction, it's clearly quite a low budget film and there's nothing obviously wrong about it either. You can easily be washed along in the breezy relationship dramas and chirpy performances.

It's not expected to, but it doesn't really stand up to any scrutiny.

It appears quite early on that trying to explore the concept of a man made of frozen water coming to life is more than the light comedy is willing to deal with. So, he's travelled the world (presumably as part of the water cycle?) and gets too hot inside but also, somehow, seems to understand money and has the ability to buy tickets to France. The 'rules' of the film are never explained.

Also, despite how hard the film works to reframe it, it really did feel like the overall message was that Sarah should settle and give up on her dreams. The concept of being with Nick really doesn't seem to even occur to her until the last couple of scenes. We're also, as a society, less tolerant of men in unrequited love scenarios than we were, and at times Nick does feel, to me, like he's this sad incel incapable of moving on. There is no talk of him having any other failed relationships, only her.

Cole also keeps calling Nick "Little guy" even though Nick is a couple of inches taller than him. Also, what is the budget and guiding purpose of the magazine she writes for. Presumably It's to promote the twin cities to tourists, why and how would it afford a travel writer?

That said, watchable, light comedic stuff, provided you don't think about as much as I have, for some reason.

You know the ending at the very beginnin But it's kind of a pleasant journey.qq This isn't for everybody obviously, Probably just the real romantics

I've just watched "Bridget Jones's Baby" and I can say that the same thing that annoyed me about that film is what annoys me with this one. If you've had nearly twenty years to pronounce your undying love for your best friend and done nothing about it, perhaps you aren't worthy of her anyway and should move aside to let the sexy snow man give her a good life, even if she isn't actually that nice a person and definitely not worthy of Jesse Hutch (Swoon). Because in real life, you would choose Jesse and a trip to Paris!

I'm probably only scoring this film so high, because Jesse takes his shirt off. It's not for the acting or the other two leads, or even for the supporting cast, although the Elk Jerky lady is fun, but some of the score might be for the story, which is at least a bit different if a bit silly.

It's quite interesting to note that the "leading man" (Not Jesse) only seems to have played the brother-in-law and such other supporting roles after this film. I'm not sure I would have given him this opportunity.

I think it would have made a nice change for the friends to realise that they are never going to work and to take risks on new people instead of the traditional falling in love in the final moments thing. Usually they would all get a happy ending, so why couldn't he have got together with Jerky Girl instead?

I'll watch it again, because The Hutch's sexy body never gets old!

5.1 stars.

The lead actress looks different. I've seen her in lots of stuff and she's a good actress, but in 'Snowmance' it's like this was her "before" she took acting classes, persona. She is NOT the same actress I've seen, almost like a twin sister filling in, expecting the audience to be unaware. I think she's pregnant while filming, there is obvious extra weight (you can see it in her face). I don't judge extra pounds, but whenever any actor gains obvious substantial weight, I do mention it. I figured the lead male was going to help carry this story, but his contribution was minimal. The secondary male should have been the lead. And why does he say he likes "that little guy"? First of all, he's smaller than "that little guy". The whole experience is slow, mundane, uninspired. I skipped to the end just to see if the movie has any possibilities of future viewings. First 15 minutes: 5.0 (painful). Last 15 minutes: 5.2 (lackluster).

Ashley Newbrough couldn't act her way out of a paper bag, yet she seems to get parts, but in this film I couldn't have cared less what happens to her. The plot is typical Hallmark and with a different cast could have been magical, but its way missed the mark this time.