A Christmas in Tennessee

Allison (Rachel Boston) inherited her Dad's longtime bakery in White Pines, Tennessee, a small, lovely town near the Smokey Mountains. Her mother Martha (Patricia Richardson) helps with the shop and with Allison's young daughter but she is still grieving the loss of her husband. Thus, when the friendly letter carrier comes to deliver, Martha doesn't respond to his smiles. Allison, too, doesn't have a beau. Alas, business is slow and bills are being hard to clear. Then, when Allison's little girl writes an essay about the bakery's problems for a school project, the teacher comes calling. Only, the letter sails off into the sunset! Almost at once, a lady (Caroline Rhea) who resembles MRS. CLAUSE, comes calling and places a large order. Things are looking up. Yet, trouble starts afresh when businessman Matthew (Andrew W. Walker) and his snooty partner come calling with plans to buy out the downtown and convert it to a resort/shopping complex. Allison won't sell but could the handsome investor get around her refusal? This lovely romcom has much humor, sweetness and romance. Boston and Walker are very beautiful, talented folks who are wonderful as the main characters, while the supporting cast is marvelous as well. Needless to say, the scenery in Tennessee is lovely and costumes, script and direction are nicely done. Whatever state or country you live in, escape to a fine Tennessee romance!

It was a great Christmas movie and shows how even a little kid could make a difference.

I love Andrew Walker and Rachel Boston. I just wish they had focused more on the romance part. And if you're going to have both Patricia Richardson and Caroline Rhea in the same movie, give them more screen time! The plot about the big bad developer wanting to take over the small town has been done toooo death. Surely the Hallmark script writers can come up with something better. Even so, all of these great actors did a wonderful job with a flimsy script.

I waited eagerly for this movie because the totally vivacious Rachel Boston is one of my most favorite actresses and Andrew Walker ranks high for me also. Throw in a cute kid and you should have an automatic winner.

The acting was fine. The chemistry between Walker and Boston was OK, but could have been better if the movie had spent more time on them and less on the business conflict. The business aspect of the story is one of the more used plot devices in Christmas movies and that aspect of the story was totally predictable and not only uninteresting, but a little annoying.

On the other hand, there was a Santa angle on the story that did add a little spice to it.

Overall, I was disappointed mostly because I wanted more from Walker and Boston and just a little less of the ominous tone brought about by the Scrooge-like boss and backstabbing assistant. It actually creates some extra suspense even if everything was still predictable. However there is still plenty for people who enjoy this type of movie to like.

Somewhat cheesy, somewhat sappy, but cute plot. The big bad developer angle has been hackneyed to death - so no points there. I was probably more impressed with the acting of the supporting cast than the two leading roles. Patricia Richardson was wonderful and Caroline Rhea was fabulous in this film. Would love to see these ladies in more Christmas movies. Best Mr. & Mrs. Claus cast ever. The cast playing the teachers and the neighbors were impressive also. The lead actors did well when there was slight banter between them but there seemed to be no believable spark.