Hope at Christmas

It's a nice story, but nothing unusual. Many of the regular Christmas movie traditions. There were a couple of plot leaps that had me shaking my head to catch up. The acting was fine and the leads,Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey were comfortable with each other and the story revolved mostly around them. There was a sweet pre-teen daughter.

2018 was an inconsistent year for Hallmark, which was not unexpected as all of their films from all the years they've been active varied in quality. Expectations were admittedly not massive for 'Hope at Christmas', they never have been for Hallmark Christmas films. Nor were they low or was the mentality of wanting to hate it, as that's not fair on anything. The story did not sound very exciting, but Hallmark have proved more than once that they can do Christmas films that are actually above decent.

'Hope at Christmas' was above average fare, if not quite ever living up to its lovely uplifting title. Not one of the best 2018 Hallmark films, but not one of the worst. Somewhere around the middle if anything, and while not considering it a must watch it is worth watching. There are a lot of good things about 'Hope at Christmas', but there are a fair few things that also could have been executed better if it tried to have more originality and take more risks.

Plenty of good things here. The production values are quite nice, especially the scenery. The decorations are nostalgic and affectionately festive, not looking cheap. There are plenty of nice light-hearted and heart-warming moments when the film improves, namely down to the chemistry between the two leads. Which was very genuine and sweet without being sugary. It was actually their chemistry that helped improve the film when it picked up.

Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey are both very appealing in the lead roles, and adorably supported by Erica Tremblay (who isn't too sickly sweet or bratty, actually thought she provided some of the film's heart). Personally don't agree that Sydney isn't likeable or that her abrasiveness is overdone, as far as female leads for Hallmark's 2018 festive output go she was one of the ones that irked me least and found her to be quite charming. The supporting performances are good and the characters were actually worth connecting with.

For all those good things, 'Hope at Christmas' had short-comings. The story is rather too low key at times and is very formulaic. It's all pleasant and neatly done, but it also feels a little too safe and doesn't stretch itself an awful lot. There is very little conflict and the central relationship actually doesn't really develop due to starting off too perfectly straightaway. Hallmark's endings do tend to be too pat and the ending here is no exception.

While it could have been worse, the dialogue is pretty corny and over-sentimental in particularly the first half. The pacing has dull stretches.

In conclusion, nice watch and above average but didn't wow me. 6/10

Ryan Paevey is divine, but I'm not keen on Scottie Thomson and not just because I only like men, but because the character is a bit weak. Her reason for accepting him is because she reads a good book?

The film features a book shop and lots of seasonal activities, so it ticks a lot of my boxes. I would also very much like to sit on this Father Christmas's knee and other things.

Set in the usual small town environment, there's love and lots of Christmas to be had.

7/10 - an enjoyable romp from Hallmark Channel to brighten the holiday season

7.7 stars.

The daughter steals the show from scene 1.

I really enjoyed this movie, the casting was perfect. The lead female seemed to have an off day, no big deal, she is a bit wooden in this. She gets one free pass for the minor lack of charisma because she's drop dead gorgeous. The leading guy is probably one of the best looking men in Hallmark movies, and as a bonus he has a deep radio deejay voice. My hunch is the ladies find him to be a heartthrob. I enjoyed his performance, and feel he's the primary reason for high ratings.

The story is average, nothing special, but the interactions between the two families is really fun and inviting. I felt very comfortable with them, and if this were real life I'd wish to be a part of this little town of Hopewell full of people with such convincingly big hearts. It's something about the familiarity and cordial nature of everyone, bringing such good feelings, more than the run-of-the-mill. The book store owner, the mayor, they are so welcoming. The leading male's sister and family are so relaxed, yet very warm and likable. The whole town is chummy, and it feels genuine.

All of the usual requirements are met. The usual cliché is present: the interrupted kiss, the dead family members, the absentee father, one of the leads is an author, and one is disenchanted by Christmas, lighting the town tree, ginger bread contest, and someone owns a bookstore... The romance is only average, but it's the charisma and interactions between all of the people as a whole that brings me good cheer.